($1,416) Movers From Tempe, AZ to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Tempe to Seattle

Moving from Tempe to Seattle means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Tempe than in Seattle, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Tempe compares to Seattle so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Seattle are 8% higher than in Tempe, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tempe.
  Home prices in Seattle are 78.6% higher than in Tempe.
• Income in Seattle is 21.5% higher than in Tempe, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
• The cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 31.2% lower than in Tempe. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Seattle, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 43.9% higher than in Tempe.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 11.11% lower than in Tempe.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 27.78% higher than in Tempe.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Tempe.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,065.16 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tempe.

How life is different in Tempe vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 308% greater than Tempe, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Seattle will be about the same as it currently is in Tempe. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Seattle means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Tempe. Seattle is considered more walkable than Tempe, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 54 out of 100 in Tempe. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Seattle, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Tempe. While Tempe has a bike-friendliness score of 75 out of 100, Seattle earned a 71. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Seattle is higher than in Tempe, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.88 in Seattle, it is 42.36 in Tempe. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Seattle. With a crime index of 49.23, Seattle ranks lower in overall safety than Tempe, whose index is Tempe's 57.64. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Seattle and Tempe is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Tempe vs. Seattle move

• Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Seattle. Get started 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Seattle

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Emerald City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Seattle.

Helpful moving resources