Moving from San Diego, CA to Washington: Movers and Cost

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Washington averages from $881 to $6,503 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

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

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

Moving 1,263 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from San Diego, CA to Washington?

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 $1,233 - $4,947 $950 - $2,328 $816 - $1,557
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,791 - $6,503 $1,702 - $3,421 $881 - $1,851
4+ bedrooms $4,776 - $8,861 $2,306 - $4,538 $1,109 - $2,258

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,263 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, CA to Washington 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 do Movers Cost?

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Pick from the Best San Diego to Washington Movers

Hiring a moving company 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.

Company Quote Rating Price
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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American Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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International Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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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 hire movers from San Diego, CA to Washington?

To ship furniture from San Diego to Washington with a mover will cost between $1,233 to $4,947. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from America's Finest City to WA will range from $2,791 to $6,503, and a large move from San Diego to Washington will cost from $4,776 to $8,861.

How much are moving containers like PODS from San Diego, CA to Washington?

Moving pods from San Diego to Washington will cost you $950 to $2,328 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,702 to $3,421. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,306 to $4,538.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego, CA to Washington?

A moving rental truck is generally 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 $816 to $1,557. A larger move will cost $881 to $1,851, and a 4+ bedroom move from San Diego to Washington costs from $1,109 to $2,258.

How to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Washington?

If you're planning a move from San Diego to Washington and need to ship your car, it's important to find a reputable car shipping company. Look for top-rated companies that specialize in San Diego to Washington car shipping and compare quotes and services to find the right option for you.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company Quote Rating Price
starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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Ship a Car Direct
starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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Easy Auto Ship Logo
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from San Diego, CA to Washington a good idea?

If you’re moving to Washington from San Diego, CA, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: San Diego, CA vs Washington

San Diego, CA Washington
Average rent cost $2,374 $1,258
Average home cost $944,228 $582,732
Average income (per capita) $66,995 $73,775
Unemployment rate 7.0% 4.5%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 74% less expensive in Washington than in San Diego.
  • Home prices are about 47.7% lower in Washington than in San Diego.
  • The average income is about 8.6% higher in Washington than in San Diego.
  • Washington has a lower unemployment rate than San Diego by about 43.1%.
  • Income taxes are 100.00% lower in Washington than in San Diego.

How is life different in San Diego, CA from Washington?

San Diego, CA Washington
Population 1,386,932 7,738,692
Political leaning Democratic 60-37 Democrat 58-39
Summer High 79ºF 79ºF
Winter Low 46ºF 29ºF
Annual Rain 12" 38"
Annual Snow 0" 18"
Crime Index 21.98 30.22
  • The population of Washington is approximately 458% greater than the population of San Diego.
  • In the last presidential election, Washington voted Democrat and San Diego voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Washington is 79ºF and in San Diego, it’s 79ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Washington reaches the temperature of 29ºF and San Diego gets down to 46ºF.
  • You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Washington vs 12 inches of rainfall in San Diego.
  • In Washington, it snows about 18 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in San Diego.
  • Washington has a higher crime rate than San Diego with a crime index of 30.22 vs 21.98.

Considerations for moving to Washington

  • Weather: Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!.
  • 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 . Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local San Diego movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
9245 Farnham St, San Diego, CA, 92123
(858) 935-8392
Move Central Moving Services Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
8963 Carroll Way, Suite B1, San Diego, CA, 92121
(858) 230-8281
Republic Moving & Storage Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
8140 St Andrews Ave, San Diego, CA, 92154
(619) 639-8352

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

What to do in Washington?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Washington.

Museums in Washington

  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • The Museum of Flight
  • LeMay - America's Car Museum
  • Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum
  • USS Turner Joy Museum Ship
  • Museum of Glass
  • Hibulb Cultural Center
  • Puget Sound Navy Museum
  • Pacific Bonsai Museum
  • Imagine Children's Museum

Parks in Washington

  • Mount Rainier National Park
  • Olympic National Park
  • North Cascades National Park
  • Deception Pass State Park
  • Lake Wenatchee State Park
  • Palouse Falls State Park
  • Lime Kiln Point State Park
  • Gingko Petrified Forest State Park
  • Cape Disappointment State Park
  • Birch Bay State Park
  • Manchester State Park
  • Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

Sports Teams in Washington

  • OL Reign Soccer (NWSL)
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB)
  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA)

Universities in Washington

  • University of Washington
  • Washington State University
  • Western Washington University
  • The Evergreen State College
  • Seattle University
  • Gonzaga University
  • Eastern Washington University
  • Central Washington University
  • Whitman College
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • University of Puget Sound
  • Bastyr University
  • Bellevue College

Where to move in Washington

Now that you've decided to make the move to "The Evergreen State," these are the best cities in Washington to move to.

Most popular cities to move to in Washington:

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