Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Modesto to Olympia typically costs $2,700–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 768 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Modesto to Olympia
Moving from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA typically costs $2,700–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 768-mile move from Modesto to Olympia, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- AB Moving recently quoted $2,600 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $5,590 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,011 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 11, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 07, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 30, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 19, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 12, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 10, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 14, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 09, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Modesto to Olympia
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Modesto to Olympia may only cost $1,800, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $8,600.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Modesto.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($600–$1,600), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Olympia, WA to Modesto, CA guide.
Best Modesto to Olympia movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Modesto to Olympia
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Modesto to Olympia. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
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 CA→WA movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 372 California moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Modesto to Olympia
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Olympia runs about 7% higher for singles and -9% higher for families than Modesto.
Singles spend around $2,473 in Olympia versus $2,312 in Modesto; families pay $5,391 compared with $5,946.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Modesto | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,446 | $1,675 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,467 | $2,817 |
| Average home value | $442,362 | $508,798 |
| Average income (per capita) | $67,011 | $66,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,312 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,946 | $5,391 |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.88% | 9.4% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Your budget won't be hit too hard when you move to Olympia from Modesto with rent being about the same in each state.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 15% steeper in Olympia compared to Modesto.
- There's good news: the average income differences between Olympia and Modesto are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Olympia, with the cost of living for a single person being 7% more than in Modesto. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- A move to Olympia can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 9% lower compared to Modesto.
- Olympia has a lower unemployment rate than Modesto by about 30%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes in Olympia surpass those in Modesto by 6%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Washington has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Modesto versus Olympia:
| Living Expense | Modesto | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $152.80 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $58.64 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.67 | $4.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.61 | $3.94 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $70.00 |
| Gym membership | $41.33 | $58.33 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Modesto than in Olympia.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Modesto than in Olympia.
- Eggs cost more in Modesto than in Olympia.
- Bread costs less in Modesto than in Olympia.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Modesto than in Olympia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Modesto than in Olympia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Modesto than in Olympia.
How life is different in Modesto vs. Olympia
| Modesto | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,464 | 55,605 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 48 | 39 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 59 |
| Crime index | 65.76 | 27.95 |
| Safety index | 34.24 | 62.25 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Olympia's population is about 75% less than Modesto.
- Olympia's public transportation score is within about 5% of Modesto, making them very similar.
- Olympia is less walkable than Modesto with a score of 39 out of 100 vs Modesto's 48 out of 100.
- With a score of 59 out of 100, Olympia is more bike-friendly than Modesto, which has a score of 48 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Olympia's crime rate is lower than Modesto with a score of 27.95 compared to Modesto's 65.76. This means that Olympia neighborhoods are safer than 27.95% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Modesto neighborhoods are safer than 65.76%.
- Olympia is considered to be safer than Modesto with a safety index of 62.25 vs Modesto's 34.24.
- Air quality in Olympia is Good, and in Modesto it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Modesto to Olympia move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Washington, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Olympia. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Olympia
With your sights set on Oly, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Olympia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- South Capitol
- Downtown
- Bigelow Highlands
- Upper Eastside
- Eastside
- North East
- Bigelow
- South Westside
- Woodfield Estates
- Wellington West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bigelow Highlands
- Holiday Hills
- Woodfield Estates
- Eastside
- Cain Road
- Indian Creek
- Governor Stevens
- Bigelow
- Carlyon-North
- Wellington West
Things to do in Olympia
With your move to Washington complete, you can dive right into experiencing Olympia. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Olympia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympic Flight Museum, WET Science Center, and Bigelow House Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Squaxin Park, Percival Landing, and Tolmie State Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Olympia?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Modesto to Olympia. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Modesto.
When is the cheapest time to move from Modesto to Olympia?
Want to save on your move from Modesto to Olympia? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Modesto to Olympia take?
The 768-mile move from Modesto, CA, to Olympia, WA, takes two to seven days. Some Modesto movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Olympia.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Modesto?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 10 movers in Modesto provide piano moving services. 5 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
