($523+) San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA ranges from $1,150 to $7,516, with an average cost of $2,850. Moves can be as low as $523 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 777 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving options from San Francisco to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,150 - $7,516 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,850, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 777 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 777-mile route from San Francisco to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,150 - $4,159, container $1,045 - $1,963, rental truck $556 - $1,026, freight trailer $912 - $1,697.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,217 - $5,879, container $1,330 - $2,615, rental truck $624 - $1,280, freight trailer $1,130 - $2,070.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,831 - $7,516, container $1,912 - $3,585, rental truck $722 - $1,463, freight trailer $1,530 - $2,783.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA
Hiring full-service movers from San Francisco, California, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $1,150 and $7,516. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 777-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $589 - $3,924, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between San Francisco and Tacoma. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Francisco tend to start around $284 plus $150/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,150 - $4,159
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,217 - $5,879
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,831 - $7,516
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 San Francisco to Tacoma.
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 San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $981 - $9,810 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $392 - $2,354/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $589 - $4,709 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,962 - $5,886 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,905 - $19,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,470 - $2,792 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,962 - $4,905 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,570 - $6,867 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $589 - $2,943 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationally | $1,275 - $3,924 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $589 - $29,430+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $589 - $6,867+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Tacoma?
All three below meet the standards set by the Washington Movers Conference, the group most Washington movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Francisco, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,045 and $3,585. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in San Francisco typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $1,963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,330 - $2,615
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,912 - $3,585
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,373 in San Francisco, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $147 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $294 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Tacoma, WA, destination before booking.
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 $1,045. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,330 - $2,615.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA
A rental truck for this 777-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $556 and $1,463. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $485 - $554
- Daily insurance: $59/day
- Equipment rentals: $14 - $39
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 San Francisco to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $556 - $1,026
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $624 - $1,280
- 4+ bedrooms: $722 - $1,463
Pro tip: The base rate of $556 - $1,463 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Francisco to Tacoma. Fuel ($485 - $554), lodging at around $294/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $294 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $128 and $638 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $485 - $554 in fuel for the 777-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,373 in San Francisco, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Francisco, California, to Tacoma, Washington, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,130 and $2,070.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $912 - $1,697
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,130 - $2,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,530 - $2,783
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $147 - $294 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 San Francisco, California, typically costs $1,373.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: San Francisco, 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 San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 123 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 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 San Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,126 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 777-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from San Francisco, CA, to Tacoma, WA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,150 for a studio to $7,516 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 777-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,045 - $3,585. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $556 - $1,463, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,217 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Tacoma, WA
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, 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.
Is Tacoma a safe place to live?
Tacoma has a safety index of 44.45 out of 100 and a crime index of 55.55, compared to 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Tacoma?
Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.