Moving from Olympia to Seattle, WA
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Quick answer: Moving from Olympia to Seattle costs between $70 to $4,651 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 60-mile route within Washington take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Olympia to Seattle
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Olympia to Seattle are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Olympia to driving and unloading in Seattle, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 60 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,353 - $3,773 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $759 - $1,463 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $83 - $145 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | All Ready Moving & Storage | $133/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Olympia to Seattle?
It costs between $70 to $4,651 to move from Olympia to Seattle. The prices below break down your 60-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $677 - $4,651
- Moving containers: $501 - $1,847
- Rental trucks: $70 - $145
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $677 - $3,387 | $501 - $985 | $70 - $111 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,353 - $3,773 | $759 - $1,463 | $83 - $145 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,753 - $4,651 | $996 - $1,847 | $99 - $145 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $336 - $2,800+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $133/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $100/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $224 - $896 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $56 - $224 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Olympia to Seattle
At 60 miles, your Olympia to Seattle move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Olympia to Seattle. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Washington, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 60 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Triple 7 Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Olympia to Seattle. They've been in business since 2009 (17 years of experience) and 93.6% of their 654 verified reviews are positive.
More Washington moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Seattle to Olympia guide.
Considerations when moving from Olympia to Seattle
Cost of living: Olympia vs. Seattle
When comparing the cost of living between Olympia and Seattle, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Seattle stacks up against Olympia.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Olympia | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,895 | $1,975 |
| Average home cost | $457,660 | $911,938 |
| Average income (per capita) | $76,930 | $121,984 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,473 | $3,740 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,391 | $9,801 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.4% | 10.35% |
- Rent prices in Seattle are about the same as in Olympia, so your housing budget should stay steady and make your move easier on your wallet.
- Home prices in Seattle are 99% higher than in Olympia, which could make buying a home more challenging. It might require a larger upfront investment and could increase your monthly mortgage payments.
- Salaries here average 59% higher than in Olympia. If your pay matches local rates, you could see a real boost to your financial well-being.
- Living expenses for one person in Seattle are 51% higher than in Olympia, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 82% higher than in Olympia. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making Seattle one of the more expensive cities for families.
- Unemployment in Seattle is 14% lower than in Olympia. That means you’ll enjoy a stronger job market, more opportunities, and greater economic stability in your new city.
- Sales taxes run 10% higher in Seattle than in Olympia, so you should plan on higher costs for regular taxable purchases.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,530 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Olympia.
How life is different in Olympia vs. Seattle
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Seattle vs. Olympia. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Olympia | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,605 | 737,015 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 58-39 | Democratic 57-43 |
| Summer high | 78ºF | 76ºF |
| Winter low | 33ºF | 36ºF |
| Annual rain | 53" | 38" |
| Annual snow | 6" | 5" |
| Crime index | 27.95 | 58.88 |
Seattle sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Seattle is around 1225% bigger than Olympia. A move to a larger city brings more people, fresh opportunities, and richer cultural experiences, but also comes with higher living costs and a busier lifestyle. Whether that sounds thrilling or daunting really depends on what you’re looking for in your next home.
- In the last presidential election, both Olympia and Seattle voted Democratic.
- Both Seattle and Olympia average summer highs close to 76°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest part of the year, both Olympia and Seattle experience similar winter lows, with Olympia reaching 33°F and Seattle getting down to 36°F.
- Olympia tends to be wetter than Seattle, averaging 53 inches of annual rainfall compared to Seattle’s 38 inches.
- Both Olympia and Seattle get about the same amount of snow annually—Olympia averages 6 inches, while Seattle gets 5 inches.
- Seattle has a higher crime rate than Olympia, with a crime index of 58.88 vs 27.95.
Things to do in Seattle
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Seattle has you covered.
Museums in Seattle
- Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP)
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- National Nordic Museum
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Museum of Flight
Parks in Seattle
- Discovery Park
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Green Lake Park
- Carkeek Park
- Washington Park Arboretum
Sports teams in Seattle
- Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
- Seattle Mariners (MLB)
- Seattle Kraken (NHL)
- Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
- Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
Universities in Seattle
- University of Washington
- Seattle University
- Seattle Pacific University
- City University of Seattle
- Antioch University Seattle
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Olympia to Seattle?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Olympia to Seattle, expect to pay between $584 and $2,644 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,353 and $3,773. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,753 up to $4,651 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Olympia to Seattle?
If you’re moving from Olympia to Seattle and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $385 and go up to $967. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $759 and $1,463. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $996 and $1,847.
How much is a moving truck from Olympia to Seattle?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $71 to $120. A larger move will cost $83 to $145, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Olympia to Seattle costs from $99 to $145.
How far in advance should I book Olympia-to-Seattle movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Olympia to Seattle at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your Olympia-to-Seattle movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Seattle?
To save money on your move to Seattle, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
