Moving from Seattle to Olympia, WA
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Quick answer: Moving from Seattle to Olympia costs between $66 to $4,463 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 Seattle to Olympia
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Seattle to Olympia are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Seattle to driving and unloading in Olympia, 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 | $1,237 - $4,043 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $781 - $1,463 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $84 - $141 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | On The Go Moving and Storage | $141/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 Seattle to Olympia?
It costs between $66 to $4,463 to move from Seattle to Olympia. The prices below break down your 60-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $664 - $4,463
- Moving containers: $533 - $1,721
- Rental trucks: $66 - $147
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $664 - $3,355 | $533 - $985 | $66 - $114 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,237 - $4,043 | $781 - $1,463 | $84 - $141 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,898 - $4,463 | $1,026 - $1,721 | $100 - $147 |
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 | $474 - $3,950+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $141/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $120/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $316 - $1,264 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $79 - $316 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Seattle to Olympia
At 60 miles, your Seattle to Olympia 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 Seattle to Olympia. 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 Seattle to Olympia. 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 Olympia to Seattle guide.
Considerations when moving from Seattle to Olympia
Cost of living: Seattle vs. Olympia
When comparing the cost of living between Seattle and Olympia, 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 Olympia stacks up against Seattle.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Seattle | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,975 | $1,895 |
| Average home cost | $911,938 | $457,660 |
| Average income (per capita) | $121,984 | $76,930 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,740 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,801 | $5,391 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 10.35% | 9.4% |
- Rent prices in Olympia are about the same as in Seattle, so your housing budget should stay steady and make your move easier on your wallet.
- Home prices in Olympia are 50% lower than in Seattle, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Income in Olympia is 37% lower than in Seattle. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Cost of living for one person in Olympia is 34% lower than in Seattle. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in Olympia is 45% lower than in Seattle. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in Olympia is 17% higher than in Seattle. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Sales taxes are about 9% cheaper in Olympia than in Seattle, which can lighten your cost of living if you tend to spend more on taxable goods and services.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,980 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Seattle.
How life is different in Seattle vs. Olympia
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Olympia vs. Seattle. 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.
| Seattle | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 55,605 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-43 | Democratic 58-39 |
| Summer high | 76ºF | 78ºF |
| Winter low | 36ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 53" |
| Annual snow | 5" | 6" |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 27.95 |
Olympia sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Olympia has about 92% fewer people than Seattle. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, both Seattle and Olympia voted Democratic.
- Both Olympia and Seattle average summer highs close to 78°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest part of the year, both Seattle and Olympia experience similar winter lows, with Seattle reaching 36°F and Olympia getting down to 33°F.
- Olympia typically gets more rain than Seattle, with an average annual rainfall of 53 inches compared to Seattle’s 38 inches.
- Both Seattle and Olympia get about the same amount of snow annually—Seattle averages 5 inches, while Olympia gets 6 inches.
- Olympia is safer than Seattle, boasting a lower crime index of 27.95 compared to Seattle’s 58.88.
Things to do in Olympia
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Olympia has you covered.
Museums in Olympia
- Hands On Children's Museum
- Olympic Flight Museum
- WET Science Center
- Bigelow House Museum
- Childhood's End Gallery
Parks in Olympia
- Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
- Squaxin Park
- Percival Landing
- Tolmie State Park
- Monarch Sculpture Park
Sports teams in Olympia
Universities in Olympia
- Saint Martin's University
- South Puget Sound Community College
- Evergreen State College
- Saint Martin's University
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Seattle to Olympia?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Seattle to Olympia, expect to pay between $614 and $2,783 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,237 and $4,043. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,898 up to $4,463 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Seattle to Olympia?
If you’re moving from Seattle to Olympia and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $389 and go up to $938. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $781 and $1,463. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,026 and $1,721.
How much is a moving truck from Seattle to Olympia?
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 $72 to $116. A larger move will cost $84 to $141, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Seattle to Olympia costs from $100 to $147.
How far in advance should I book Seattle-to-Olympia movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Seattle to Olympia 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 Seattle-to-Olympia 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 Olympia?
To save money on your move to Olympia, 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.
