Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Seattle to San Francisco typically costs $2,900–$7,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 807 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Seattle to San Francisco
Moving from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA typically costs $2,900–$7,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 807-mile move from Seattle to San Francisco, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,399 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $5,759 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $1,862 for a studio apartment using a moving container.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 14, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 29, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 25, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 21, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 19, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 19, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 17, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 12, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Seattle to San Francisco
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,200, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $10,600.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Seattle, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($600–$1,800) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA guide.
Best Seattle to San Francisco movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Seattle to San Francisco
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Seattle to San Francisco, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best WA→CA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 94 Washington moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Seattle to San Francisco
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - San Francisco runs about 1% higher for singles and -11% higher for families than Seattle.
Singles spend around $3,781 in San Francisco versus $3,740 in Seattle; families pay $8,717 compared with $9,801.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Seattle | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,306 | $3,259 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,655 | $5,475 |
| Average home value | $842,068 | $1,241,003 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,845 | $136,689 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,740 | $3,781 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $9,801 | $8,717 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 10.35% | 8.63% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 13.3% |
- Rent is estimated to be 65% higher in San Francisco compared to Seattle; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 47% greater in San Francisco than in Seattle.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 76% higher in San Francisco than in Seattle, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- The cost of living for a single person is within about 5% of the same in San Francisco and Seattle, so you likely won’t notice a major difference.
- Choosing to move to San Francisco can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 11% less than in Seattle.
- In San Francisco, the unemployment rate is approximately 13% higher than in Seattle, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes drop 17% in San Francisco compared to Seattle, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- California has a state income tax, while Washington does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Seattle and San Francisco:
| Living Expense | Seattle | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $250.22 | $229.35 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.15 | $62.91 |
| Dozen eggs | $6.07 | $5.91 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.84 | $5.06 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $125.00 |
| Gym membership | $78.35 | $99.96 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Seattle than in San Francisco.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Seattle than in San Francisco.
- Eggs cost more in Seattle than in San Francisco.
- Bread costs less in Seattle than in San Francisco.
- The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Seattle than in San Francisco.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Seattle than in San Francisco.
How life is different in Seattle vs. San Francisco
| Seattle | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 808,988 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 99 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 99 |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 61.41 |
| Safety index | 49.23 | 38.59 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- San Francisco's population is about 10% greater than Seattle.
- San Francisco's public transportation score of 10 out of 10 is higher than Seattle's score of 8.
- San Francisco is more walkable than Seattle with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Seattle's 74 out of 100.
- With a score of 99 out of 100, San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Seattle, which has a score of 71 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- San Francisco and Seattle have a similar crime rate with scores of 61.41 and 58.88, respectively.
- San Francisco is considered to be less safe than Seattle with a score of 38.59 vs Seattle's 49.23.
- Air quality in San Francisco is Moderate, and in Seattle it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Seattle to San Francisco move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: California doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to San Francisco. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in San Francisco
Now that you've decided to make the move to The Golden Gate City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Francisco.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Marina District
- Mission Bay
- Mission District
- Noe Valley
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bernal Heights
- Inner Sunset
- Noe Valley
- North Beach
- Presidio Heights
Things to do in San Francisco
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what San Francisco has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout San Francisco, such as the Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, Walt Disney Family Museum, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Golden Gate Park, Presidio of San Francisco, Mission Dolores Park, and Crissy Field — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an San Francisco 49ers (NFL)San Francisco Giants (MLB)Golden State Warriors (NBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Seattle to San Francisco?
The best time to move from Seattle to San Francisco is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Seattle.
When is the cheapest time to move from Seattle to San Francisco?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Seattle to San Francisco, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Seattle to San Francisco take?
Moving from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA covers 807 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Seattle movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in San Francisco.
Which movers in Seattle give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 2 movers give special rates to military members. 3 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Seattle?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 47 movers in Seattle advertise piano moving expertise. 35 movers in Seattle provide antique moving services. State totals show 72 piano movers and 45 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
