($1,263) Moving from San Francisco to Seattle
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Seattle costs $640 to $6,236 and takes two-seven days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 807-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Seattle to San Francisco guide.
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The best San Francisco to Seattle moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Seattle is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Seattle.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Seattle?
San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,263 - $4,346 | $802 - $1,947 | $580 - $1,105 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,431 - $6,236 | $1,458 - $2,989 | $640 - $1,314 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,394 - $8,164 | $2,018 - $3,711 | $834 - $1,594 |
Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Seattle
The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Seattle can be as low as $1,263 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,866.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $580 to $1,550. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Seattle?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Seattle will cost between $1,263 to $4,346. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,431 to $6,236, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Seattle will cost from $4,394 to $8,164.
How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Seattle?
Moving containers from San Francisco to Seattle will cost you $802 to $1,947 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,458 to $2,989. A larger home will cost $2,018 to $3,711.
How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Seattle?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $580 to $1,105. A larger move will cost $640 to $1,314, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Seattle costs from $834 to $1,594. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Seattle
Cost of living: San Francisco vs Seattle
| San Francisco | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,220 | $2,000 |
| Average home value | $1,234,246 | $824,264 |
| Average income (per capita) | $126,187 | $75,156 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $3,840 | $1,211 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $8,998 | $4,345 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.8% |
| Sales Tax | 8.63% | 10.25% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Seattle are 38% lower than in San Francisco.
- Home prices in Seattle are 33.2% lower than in San Francisco.
- Income in Seattle is 40.4% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 68.5% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 51.7% lower than in San Francisco.
- The unemployment rate in Seattle is 11.11% lower than in San Francisco.
- Sales taxes in Seattle are 18.77% higher than in San Francisco.
- State income taxes in Seattle are 100.00% lower than in San Francisco.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $946.09 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.
How is life different in San Francisco compared to Seattle?
| Seattle | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 808,437 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 99 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 99 |
| Crime Index | 59.09 | 54.33 |
| Safety Index | 49.23 | 37.9 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Seattle's population is about 9% less than San Francisco.
- Seattle's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
- Seattle is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 74 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Seattle is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 71 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
- Seattle's crime rate is higher than San Francisco with a score of 59.09 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 59.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
- Seattle is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 49.23 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
- Air quality in Seattle is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.
Considerations for moving to Seattle
- 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.
Local San Francisco movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
| Gentle Giant Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 544-7000 |
| Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | Get A Quote |
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1149 Montgomery Ave, San Bruno, CA, 94066 (415) 404-7400 |
Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
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.
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
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)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Seattle?
The best time to move from San Francisco to Seattle is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Seattle?
Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Seattle in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Seattle take?
The 807-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Seattle, WA, takes two-seven days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Seattle.
