($738+) Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA ranges from $1,256 to $8,206, with an average cost of $3,200. Moves can be as low as $738 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,104 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Los Angeles to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,256 - $8,206 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,200, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,104 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,104-mile route from Los Angeles to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,256 - $5,074 | $1,290 - $2,291 | $745 - $1,348 | $1,149 - $2,167 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,762 - $6,291 | $1,547 - $3,190 | $846 - $1,669 | $1,368 - $2,656 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,521 - $8,206 | $2,223 - $4,082 | $1,064 - $2,094 | $1,726 - $3,473 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
For the 1,104-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Tacoma, Washington, full-service movers cost between $1,256 and $8,206. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $439 - $2,928 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,256 - $5,074
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,762 - $6,291
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,521 - $8,206
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Los Angeles to Tacoma.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Washington. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tacoma, 97% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $732 - $7,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $293 - $1,757/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $439 - $3,514 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,464 - $4,392 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,660 - $14,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,097 - $2,083 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,464 - $3,660 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,171 - $5,124 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $439 - $2,196 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $952 - $2,928 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $439 - $21,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $439 - $5,124+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Tacoma?
Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Los Angeles, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,290 and $4,082. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Los Angeles runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,290 - $2,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,547 - $3,190
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,223 - $4,082
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Los Angeles, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,025, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $110 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $220 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Los Angeles, CA, and Tacoma, WA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Washington move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,290. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,547 - $3,190, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Tacoma?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Los Angeles to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Los Angeles:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,104-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $745 and $2,094, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $514 - $588
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $745 - $1,348
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $846 - $1,669
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,064 - $2,094
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $745 - $2,094 when pricing out a rental truck from Los Angeles to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs ($514 - $588) , and overnight lodging ($220/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $514 - $588 for the 1,104-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,025.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,104-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $220 per night, adding $439 - $659 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $73 and $439.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Tacoma?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Tacoma, Washington.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,368 and $2,656.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,149 - $2,167
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,368 - $2,656
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,726 - $3,473
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $110 - $220 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Los Angeles, California, typically costs $1,025.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Tacoma quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Los Angeles, CA vs Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 123 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 44.45/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,104-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,104-mile route from Los Angeles, CA, to Tacoma, WA, run $1,256 - $8,206 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,290 - $4,082, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $745 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,762, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Tacoma, WA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($514 - $588), daily insurance ($44/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $220/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Tacoma?
Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,256 to $8,206, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,256 and $8,206, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Los Angeles?
Local movers based in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tacoma run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.