($1,494) Movers From Fresno, CA to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Fresno to Seattle

Moving from Fresno to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Fresno, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Seattle are 20% higher than in Fresno, 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 Fresno.
  Home prices in Seattle are 120.9% higher than in Fresno.
• Income in Seattle is 23.6% higher than in Fresno, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 64.3% higher than in Fresno. 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 82.9% higher than in Fresno.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 32.30% lower than in Fresno.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 29.70% higher than in Fresno.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Fresno.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,927.54 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fresno.

How life is different in Fresno vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 36% greater than Fresno, 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.
• Seattle offers better access to buses and trains than Fresno, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Fresno. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Seattle means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Fresno. Seattle is considered more walkable than Fresno, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 47 out of 100 in Fresno. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Seattle is considered more bike-friendly than Fresno in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, while Fresno is rated as 58 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Seattle as Fresno. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Seattle than in Fresno, based on Seattle’s safety index of 49.23 versus 43.15 for Fresno. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Seattle has better air quality than in Fresno. Seattle has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Fresno. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Fresno 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