Top-rated local movers that handle San Diego to Seattle moves
When planning a move from San Diego to Seattle, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing 29 local movers in San Diego who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from San Diego to Seattle.
- Republic Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Stella Moving & Delivery: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Grizzly Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Dominant Moving Company: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- We Like To Move It Moving: 4.52 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0190491
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 3369820
Alternate Names: Lovejoy’s Family Moving , Republic Relocation Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 0191958
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3299407
Alternate Names: Stella Moving & Delivery , The Remarkable Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 0191376
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2642040
Alternate Names: Grizzly Movers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 191165
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 2718191
Alternate Names: Velorom LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0191446
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2843171
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Seattle?
Movers in California charge $128 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,234 – $4,901 | $869 – $2,239 | $754 – $1,527 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,791 – $6,252 | $1,539 – $3,355 | $822 – $1,833 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,731 – $8,433 | $2,173 – $4,451 | $1,098 – $2,086 |
Cost to hire movers from San Diego to Seattle
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from San Diego to Seattle, you can expect to spend between $1,234 and $4,901. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $2,791 to $6,252 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from San Diego to Seattle typically runs between $4,731 and $8,433.
Cost of moving containers from San Diego to Seattle
When moving from San Diego to Seattle, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $869 and $2,239. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,539 to $3,355. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $2,173 up to $4,451. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from San Diego to Seattle
Renting a moving truck in San Diego is usually your cheapest option to get to Seattle. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $754 and $1,527. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $822 and $1,833. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,098 and $2,086.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from San Diego to Seattle
The cost of San Diego movers will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,477, but larger homes can run up to $7,746.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Diego.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($754–$2,044) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
What to know before moving from San Diego to Seattle
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Seattle runs about 12% higher for singles and 27% higher for families than San Diego.
Singles spend around $3,740 in San Diego versus $3,346 in San Diego; families pay $9,801 compared with $7,719.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Diego | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,704 | $2,306 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,914 | $4,655 |
| Average home value | $1,003,444 | $842,068 |
| Average income (per capita) | $72,963 | $77,845 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,346 | $3,740 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,719 | $9,801 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.75% | 10.35% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 31% lower in Seattle than in San Diego, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 16% lower in Seattle than in San Diego.
- Great news! You’ll find the average income is about 7% higher in Seattle compared to San Diego, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person is 12% more than in San Diego. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Seattle, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 27% more than it is in San Diego.
- Seattle experiences an unemployment rate that is about 27% lower than that of San Diego. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 34% higher in Seattle than in San Diego. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Washington has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing San Diego with Seattle:
| Living Expense | San Diego | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $277.55 | $250.22 |
| Cell phone plan | $66.79 | $60.15 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.26 | $6.07 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.50 | $4.84 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $21.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $65.68 | $78.35 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Diego than in Seattle.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Diego than in Seattle.
- Eggs are less expensive in San Diego than in Seattle.
- Bread costs less in San Diego than in Seattle.
- A quick meal is cheaper in San Diego than in Seattle.
- The cost of a mid-range dinner for two is about the same in both cities.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in San Diego than in Seattle.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Seattle
| San Diego | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,386,932 | 737,015 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 53 | 74 |
| Bike friendliness score | 43 | 71 |
| Crime index | 39.83 | 58.88 |
| Safety index | 60.17 | 49.23 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Seattle’s population is about 47% less than San Diego.
- Seattle’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than San Diego’s score of 6.
- Seattle is more walkable than San Diego with a score of 74 out of 100 vs San Diego’s 53 out of 100.
- With a score of 71 out of 100, Seattle is more bike-friendly than San Diego, which has a score of 43 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Seattle’s crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 58.88 compared to San Diego’s 39.83. This means that Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 58.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83%.
- Seattle is considered to be less safe than San Diego with a score of 49.23 vs San Diego’s 60.17.
- Air quality in Seattle is Good, and in San Diego it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Diego to Seattle move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company’s license by visiting the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Washington doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Seattle smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers’ insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Seattle
Now that you’ve chosen Emerald City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Seattle to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Ballard
- Capitol Hill
- Fremont
- Lower Queen Anne
- South Lake Union
Best neighborhoods for families
- Greenwood
- Laurelhurst
- Magnolia
- Upper Queen Anne
- West Seattle
Things to do in Seattle
After getting comfortable in your new Washington home, it’s time to see what Seattle is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Seattle offers cultural landmarks like the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Seattle Seahawks (NFL)Seattle Mariners (MLB)Seattle Kraken (NHL)Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)Seattle Seawolves (MLR)Seattle Dragons (XFL)Seattle Storm (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Seattle?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Diego to Seattle are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Diego are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Seattle?
Because spring and fall moves from San Diego to Seattle are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you’re looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from San Diego to Seattle take?
A move of 1,261 miles from San Diego, CA to Seattle, generally takes three to eight days. Movers in San Diego sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Seattle is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in San Diego?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In San Diego, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in San Diego offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 21 movers in San Diego have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 16 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 297 piano movers and 227 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,303 and 1,466.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
Helpful moving resources
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