$1,406 Movers from San Diego to Seattle

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA averages from $985 to $7,413 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring a full-service San Diego moving company will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Seattle, WA. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Seattle to San Diego guide.

Moving From San Diego to Seattle

Moving 1,255 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The Best San Diego to Seattle Moving Companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Diego to Seattle is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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(855) 650-0657

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts
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(855) 929-4120

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
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(844) 950-2963

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
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(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Seattle?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,406 - $5,640 $1,062 - $2,602 $912 - $1,740
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,181 - $7,413 $1,902 - $3,824 $985 - $2,069
4+ bedrooms $5,445 - $10,102 $2,577 - $5,072 $1,240 - $2,524
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,255 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from San Diego to Seattle will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Diego to Seattle?

To ship furniture from San Diego to Seattle with a mover will cost between $1,406 to $5,640. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $3,181 to $7,413, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from San Diego to Seattle will cost from $5,445 to $10,102.

How much are moving container companies from San Diego to Seattle?

Moving containers from San Diego to Seattle will cost you $1,062 to $2,602 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,902 to $3,824. A larger home will cost $2,577 to $5,072.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego to Seattle?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $912 to $1,740. A larger move will cost $985 to $2,069, and a 4+ bedroom move from San Diego to Seattle costs from $1,240 to $2,524.

Pros and Cons of Moving from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA

Cost of Living: San Diego vs Seattle

San Diego Seattle
Average rent cost $2,374 $1,899
Average home value $944,228 $915,340
Average income (per capita) $66,995 $69,500
Cost of Living (single person) $1,028 $1,211
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,686 $4,345
Unemployment rate 7.0% 4.8%
Sales Tax 7.75% 10.25%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent Prices in Seattle, WA are 20% lower than in San Diego, CA.
  • Home Prices in Seattle, WA are 3.1% lower than in San Diego, CA.
  • Income in Seattle, WA is 3.7% higher than in San Diego, CA.
  • Cost of Living for a single person in Seattle, WA is 17.8% higher than in San Diego, CA.
  • Cost of Living for a family in Seattle, WA is 17.9% higher than in San Diego, CA.
  • Unemployment rate in Seattle, WA is 31.43% lower than in San Diego, CA.
  • Sales Taxes in Seattle, WA are 32.26% higher than in San Diego, CA.
  • State Income Taxes in Seattle, WA are 100.00% lower than in San Diego, CA.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,466.0 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.

How is life different in San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA?

Seattle San Diego
Population 737,015 1,386,932
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 6
Walkability score 74 53
Bike friendliness score 71 43
Crime Index 59.09 21.98
Safety Index 49.23 62.95
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Seattle’s population is about 47% less than San Diego.
  • Seattle’s public transportation is not as good as San Diego with a score of 8 vs 6.
  • Seattle is more walkable than San Diego with a score of 74 vs 53.
  • Seattle is more bike-friendly than San Diego with a score of 71 vs 43.
  • Seattle's crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 59.09 compared to 21.98.
  • Seattle is considered to be less safe than San Diego with a score of 49.23 vs 62.95.
  • Air Quality in Seattle is Good, and in San Diego it’s Moderate.

Considerations for moving to Seattle, WA

  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 forward to Seattle. Get started here.
  • Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local San Diego Movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Cube Moving and Storage Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
8045 Raytheon Rd #500, San Diego, CA, 92111
(619) 366-9806
Stella Moving & Delivery Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
2291 Dunlop St Business Unit #20, San Diego, CA, 92111
(619) 393-6426

Visit our Best Movers in San Diego page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Seattle, WA

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Ballard
  • Capitol Hill
  • Fremont
  • Lower Queen Anne
  • South Lake Union

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Greenwood
  • Laurelhurst
  • Magnolia
  • Upper Queen Anne
  • West Seattle

What to do in Seattle

Moving to The “Emerald City”? These are some of the best things to do in your new Washington home.

  • Pike Place Market
  • The Showbox
  • Washington State Ferries
  • Waterfront Park
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • South Lake Union
  • Seattle Center & the Space Needle
  • Seattle Aquarium
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Museum of Flight
  • MOHAI: The Museum of History & Industry
  • Museum of Pop Culture - MoPop
  • Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
  • Pacific Science Center
  • The Seattle Great Wheel
  • Washington Park Arboretum
  • Seattle Japanese Garden
  • Pioneer Square
  • Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Get your sports on!

Seattle is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB)
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
  • Seattle Dragons (XFL)
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA)

FAQs about moving from San Diego to Seattle

When is the best time to move from San Diego to Seattle?

The best time to move from San Diego to Seattle is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 76ºF and the winter lows of 36ºF in Seattle.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Seattle?

Because most people are moving from San Diego to Seattle in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on getting discounts on moving services to learn more.

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Learn more about Seattle