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How Much Do Washington Movers Cost?

Across Washington, there are 92 professional movers available. The average hourly rate is $182, with move totals typically landing between $674 and $6,020, based on your specific needs, home size, and service level.

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Average cost to hire a local moving company in WA

In Washington, local moving company rates for in-state moves are influenced mainly by the size of your home and the distance traveled.

Moves within 50 miles are usually billed at an hourly rate, with costs depending on the size of the truck and the crew needed for the job.

In-state long-distance moves in Washington are priced like interstate moves — according to the total volume and weight of belongings, rather than by the hour. Like interstate moves, in-state — or intrastate — moves from one city to another are considered long-distance if they are more than 400 miles (although some movers set the minimum at over 100 miles).

Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional mover in Washington.

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $674 $255 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $929 $255 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedrooms $1,490 $357 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedrooms $3,419 $500 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedrooms $3,919 $500 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedrooms $6,020 $700 5 movers 10 hours

More details on the cost of professional movers in WAtoggle

  • Expect your studio move to take about 3 hours with a team of 2 movers, costing roughly $255 per hour.
  • For one-bedroom homes, expect to pay approximately $255 per hour for a 2-person team over 4 hours.
  • Expect $357/hr with 3 movers for 5 hours.
  • For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay an hourly rate of $500 for Washington movers. A three-bedroom home typically takes eight hours to complete using a four-person crew.
  • Moving a four-bedroom house in Washington will take 4 movers approximately 9 hours, at a rate of $500 per hour.
  • Large moves of five-plus bedroom homes in Washington require 5 movers for 10 hours, billed at $700 per hour.

Check out our picks for the best Washington movers to compare cost and services:

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 5.0 / 5
  • Years in Business: 11
  • Yelp: 4.2 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.86 / 5
  • Years in Business: 9
  • Yelp: 4.2 / 5
  • BBB: A
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.86 / 5
  • Years in Business: 62
  • Yelp: 3.7 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.86 / 5
  • Years in Business: 134
  • Yelp: 3.2 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
  • Years in Business: 15
  • Yelp: 4.8 / 5
  • BBB: B-
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
  • Years in Business: 14
  • Yelp: 4.1 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
  • Years in Business: 15
  • Yelp: 4.4 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
  • Years in Business: 21
  • Yelp: 4.3 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.76 / 5
  • Years in Business: 24
  • Yelp: 3.9 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.76 / 5
  • Years in Business: 33
  • Yelp: 3.7 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.76 / 5
  • Years in Business: 15
  • Yelp: 4.1 / 5
  • BBB: B-
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.76 / 5
  • Years in Business: 22
  • Yelp: 4.2 / 5
  • BBB: A
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.76 / 5
  • Years in Business: 122
  • Yelp: 2.8 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.72 / 5
  • Years in Business: 4
  • Yelp: 3.8 / 5
  • BBB: B-
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.66 / 5
  • Years in Business: 23
  • Yelp: 4.5 / 5
  • BBB: A+

Just so you know: Hiring movers in Washington may cost a little more. The state’s average rate of $182 is higher than the national average of $137.

Average cost to hire an interstate mover in Washington

The cost of an interstate relocation — or out-of-state move — from Washington tends to be more complicated. Due to that complexity, pricing is handled differently than for local moves within the same city or between Washington towns.

Costs for interstate moves are calculated based on the total weight and volume of your shipment, not hourly rates (as with local moves). Out-of-state relocations usually involve longer drives, which leads to higher expenses.

Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and fluctuations in seasonal demand can all drive up your overall interstate moving expenses.

Below are sample price ranges for some popular moving routes.

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of Washington

Now that you have an idea of what your move from Washington should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in Washington.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years’ experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.3 / 5
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Washington move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.

Average cost of moving containers in WA

The cost of moving containers like PODS ranges from $207 to $7,483, depending on container size and the distance you’re moving. For instance, a local move in Washington with an eight-foot PODS container typically costs between and $434, while a 16-foot container might run between $323 and $815.

For local moves, PODS costs typically land between $207 and . Long-distance moves cost more due to the extra mileage and time involved. Moving 100 – 250 miles with PODS usually costs $248 to $2,137, while cross-country moves are priced between $2,087 and $7,483.

We like PODS for its widespread reach, variety of container sizes (eight, 12, and 16 feet), and regular discounts. However, every move is unique, so we advise getting quotes from multiple companies for the best comparison.

Here are our recommendations for top moving container companies in Washington.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Average cost to rent a moving truck in WA

The average cost to rent a moving truck ranges from $57-$136 for a local move and $355-$5,700+ for long-distance moves.

Choosing a truck rental from companies like U-Haul is often the cheapest route — but be prepared to handle all the packing, loading, driving, and unloading yourself, unless you recruit friends, family, or hired labor.

Check out our top picks for moving truck rentals in Washington:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

Average cost of Washington hourly-movers

Hiring movers by the hour in Washington costs an average of $91 per crew member. Even for smaller moves like studio apartments, you’ll usually need two movers, meaning your total hourly rate will be about $182.

Take a look at these top-rated labor-only movers in Washington:

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.86 / 5
  • Years in Business: 1963
  • Yelp: 3.7 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
  • Years in Business: 2010
  • Yelp: 4.8 / 5
  • BBB: B-
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
  • Years in Business: 2011
  • Yelp: 4.1 / 5
  • BBB: A+

Factors that affect the cost of your Washington move

The following common factors will affect the cost of your Washington move:

  • How much stuff you have: The more belongings, the higher your moving costs. Larger loads take more time and often require a bigger moving crew, increasing labor charges. For instance, moving a fully furnished two-bedroom home will cost more than relocating a sparsely decorated studio. To save money, consider downsizing and only bringing items you truly need for your new life in Washington.
  • Moving distance: The farther you move, the higher your overall cost. Local moves are typically charged hourly, depending on the time needed to move your household. For long-distance moves, companies factor in mileage, fuel, tolls, and additional travel time from Washington to your new location.
  • Type of move: You can choose between hiring a full-service mover for maximum convenience or saving money with a DIY solution like renting a moving truck. Renting a truck is cheaper but means doing all the heavy lifting yourself. A moving container option offers a middle ground, saving you some costs while including professional drivers.
  • Home layout: Moving from a single-story house with easy access is simpler than moving out of a condo or apartment building. Moves involving elevators, stairs, or tricky parking will likely add extra fees for long carries, stair access, or elevator use.
  • Extra services: Doing the work yourself lowers your Washington moving costs. However, if you prefer to hire professionals for packing, unpacking, or crating fragile items, be prepared to pay additional fees. Extra insurance and short-term storage will also increase your final bill.
  • Seasonal timing: Summer moves typically cost 20=30% more due to higher demand. Relocating during the off-peak season — from October through April — can save you a significant amount in Washington.

Consider car shipping costs for long-distance WA moves

Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move.

Here are the top car shippers in Washington:

Company Our take Rating Price
Nexus Auto Transport
Best for Overall Value
star star star star star 4.7 / 5
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Sherpa Auto Transport
Best for accurate pricing
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
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Montway Auto Transport
Best Long-Distance Shipper
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
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Navi Auto Transport
Best for Budget-Conscious Shippers
star star star star star 4.4 / 5
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SGT Auto Transport
Best for Exact Pickup Dates
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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Tips to save money on your Washington move

Whether you’re hiring pros or doing it yourself, there are smart ways to save on your Washington move:

  • Declutter first. Minimizing your belongings can make your move lighter and cheaper. Donate or sell anything you don’t plan to bring with you.
  • Save more by asking about discounts. Among the 92 movers working in Washington, 0 promote AAA savings, 4 have senior-friendly rates, and 3 offer military discounts. It’s also worth checking for deals aimed at teachers, students, or other groups. Asking could lead to major savings on your move.
  • Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
  • Schedule your move early. Booking at least two months ahead of your moving date usually results in lower rates compared to last-minute reservations.
  • Do your own packing. Even if you hire movers, packing your items yourself can help you save on your Washington move.

What is the cheapest way to move in Washington?

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move within Washington, opting for a DIY approach is usually your best bet. In Washington, some people save more by renting a truck, while others benefit more by hiring a professional moving company.

While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of Washington, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can certainly save you money on shorter-distance moves, but out-of-state relocations often come with hidden or unexpected expenses — things like gas, mileage, toll charges, food, and accommodations. Those costs can add up quickly and may even drive your DIY move above what it would cost to hire a full-service mover.

To help you decide, use our free moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.

Helpful Washington resources

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