Data-backed Moving Costs in Washington (2026)

Ryan Carrigan
Ryan Carrigan
 • 5 min read
checkmarkFact Checked by: Hilary Snow

The average cost of movers in Washington is $182 per hour, with the total for a typical move ranging from $662 - $6,008. Your exact costs will depend on factors like how long your move takes, the size of your moving crew, and any add-on services like packing or storage you choose.

Enter your anticipated move date and home size into our free moving cost calculator to get instant, no-hassle estimates catered to your needs and budget.

Moving costs in Washington by home size

Moving costs in Washington range from $662 for a studio apartment to $6,008 for 5 or more bedrooms. Local moves are billed hourly per crew member, so a bigger home means a bigger crew, more hours, and a higher total.

The average hourly rate for local moves in Washington is $182, but most WA moving companies charge a 2-hour minimum. This means the baseline for a small move will be $365.

The table below shows the average total cost of a local move in Washington by home size, along with the typical crew size and total hours for each:

Home size Moving crew size # of hours Average cost
Studio apartment 2 3 $662
1 bedroom 2 4 $917
2 bedrooms 3 5 $1,479
3 bedrooms 4 8 $3,408
4 bedrooms 4 9 $3,908
5+ bedrooms 5 10 $6,008

Washington moving costs by type of mover

Full-service movers are the most expensive option in Washington, costing $345 - $1,725 more than DIY moves on average, since the price covers labor, transportation, and equipment.

Rental trucks and moving containers cost less but require more hands-on work, and the gap narrows once you add in the fees that come with handling the move yourself:

  • Fuel: Washington's average gas price is $4.29 per gallon, which adds up quickly on longer routes.
  • Equipment rentals: Dollies, furniture pads, and hand trucks run $58 - $345 per day.
  • Labor-only help: Since rental trucks and containers do not include loading or unloading, hiring a labor-only crew adds $61 - $81.

Take a look at how the average cost of each move type in Washington compares:

Type of mover Estimated cost
Full-service movers $662 - $6,008
Moving containers $213 - $7,455
Rental trucks $20 - $100
Labor-only $61 - $81

How much movers cost in Washington by city

How to estimate moving costs in Washington

Follow these steps to build a realistic budget for a local or long-distance move in Washington.

  1. Determine local vs long-distance — Moves under 100 miles within Washington are billed hourly by crew size and total hours. Long-distance moves (100+ miles) are priced by shipment weight and mileage and typically cost more. Decide which category your move falls into before comparing quotes.
  2. Size your home and inventory — Use the home-size table above to match your bedroom count to typical crew size, hours, and average cost in Washington. A studio runs about $662 while a 5+ bedroom averages $6,008. List large furniture and specialty items so quotes reflect your actual inventory.
  3. Compare move types — Full-service movers ($662–$6,008) cover labor and transport. Moving containers ($213–$7,455), rental trucks ($20–$100), and labor-only crews ($61–$81) cost less but require more hands-on work.
  4. Get 3+ written quotes — Request written estimates from at least three licensed Washington movers. Share your home size, move date, and destination. Use the moveBuddha moving cost calculator to benchmark quotes against moveBuddha's statewide pricing data.
  5. Book an off-peak date — Off-peak months (October through April), mid-week dates, and mid-month bookings are the cheapest times to move in Washington. Summer, weekends, and end-of-month dates consistently cost 20%–30% more.

FAQs about Washington moving costs

How much does it cost to hire movers in Washington?

Hiring local movers in Washington costs $662 – $6,008 depending on home size, with a 3-bedroom averaging $3,408. Long-distance moves out of Washington are priced by weight and mileage and typically run higher.

For a personalized quote tailored to your move details, plug your home size and destination into our moving cost calculator.

What is the average hourly rate for movers in Washington?

Local movers in Washington charge an average of $182 per hour based on moveBuddha's analysis of Washington-area mover pricing. Most movers enforce a 2-hour minimum, putting the floor for a small local move at $365.

Final cost depends on crew size, total billable hours, and access conditions like stairs and long carries.

What is the cheapest way to move in Washington?

Rental trucks are typically the cheapest way to move in Washington, saving $345 – $1,725 compared to full-service movers on average. Keep in mind that with rental trucks you will be responsible for loading, unloading, and driving, and will have related expenses like gas ($4 per gallon on average in Washington) and equipment rentals ($58 – $345 per day).

How much does a long-distance move from Washington cost?

Long-distance moves (100+ miles) from Washington cost between $1,725 and $9,775+, with an average cost of $3,910 – $5,175 for 2–3 bedrooms. Long-distance move pricing is driven by shipment weight and total mileage rather than hours on the clock.

When is the cheapest time to move in Washington?

Off-peak months (October through April), mid-week dates, and mid-month bookings are the cheapest times to move in Washington. Summer, weekends, and end-of-month dates consistently cost 20%–30% more.

How much does packing add to a Washington move?

Professional packing services in Washington add $575 for a small 1-bedroom move and up to $5,750 for a 4–5 bedroom home. Final cost depends on how much you are moving and how fragile your belongings are.

Self-packing non-fragile items can keep that fee in check. See our packing tips guide for ways to box efficiently before moving day.