$1,340 Movers Cost from San Jose, CA to Seattle, WA

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Seattle, WA averages from $721 to $6,580 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.

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 Jose guide.

Moving 839 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from San Jose 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 $1,340 - $4,838 $903 - $2,192 $668 - $1,259
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,680 - $6,580 $1,623 - $3,201 $721 - $1,495
4+ bedrooms $4,538 - $9,003 $2,179 - $4,182 $903 - $1,815

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 839 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 Jose 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 do Movers Cost?

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Who Are The Best San Jose to Seattle 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
Safeway Moving
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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American Van Lines
American Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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International Van Lines
International Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign

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 a professional moving company from San Jose to Seattle?

To ship furniture from San Jose to Seattle with a mover will cost between $1,340 to $4,838. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $2,680 to $6,580, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from San Jose to Seattle will cost from $4,538 to $9,003.

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

Moving containers from San Jose to Seattle will cost you $903 to $2,192 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,623 to $3,201. A larger home will cost $2,179 to $4,182.

How much is a moving truck from San Jose 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 $668 to $1,259. A larger move will cost $721 to $1,495, and a 4+ bedroom move from San Jose to Seattle costs from $903 to $1,815.

How to ship a car from San Jose to Seattle?

If you're moving from San Jose to Seattle and need to transport your car, finding a reliable car shipping company is crucial. Look for top-rated San Jose to Seattle car shippers and compare quotes and services to find the best fit for your needs and budget. Keep in mind that the type of transport you choose and the size of your vehicle will affect the cost.

Is moving from San Jose, CA to Seattle, WA a good idea?

Cost of Living: San Jose vs Seattle

San Jose Seattle
Average rent cost $2,500 $1,899
Average home value $1,444,420 $915,340
Average income (per capita) $75,709 $69,500
Cost of Living (single person) $1,033 $1,211
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,704 $4,345
Unemployment rate 7.0% 4.8%
Sales Tax 9.38% 10.25%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent Prices in Seattle, WA are 24% lower than in San Jose, CA.
  • Home Prices in Seattle, WA are 36.6% lower than in San Jose, CA.
  • Income in Seattle, WA is 8.2% lower than in San Jose, CA.
  • Cost of Living for a single person in Seattle, WA is 17.2% higher than in San Jose, CA.
  • Cost of Living for a family in Seattle, WA is 17.3% higher than in San Jose, CA.
  • Unemployment rate in Seattle, WA is 31.43% lower than in San Jose, CA.
  • Sales Taxes in Seattle, WA are 9.28% higher than in San Jose, CA.
  • State Income Taxes in Seattle, WA are 100.00% lower than in San Jose, CA.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,483.1 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.

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

Seattle San Jose
Population 737,015 1,013,240
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 7
Walkability score 74 51
Bike friendliness score 71 62
Crime Index 59.09 28.18
Safety Index 49.23 53.91
Air Quality Good Good
  • Seattle’s population is about 27% less than San Jose.
  • Seattle’s public transportation is not as good as San Jose with a score of 8 vs 7.
  • Seattle is more walkable than San Jose with a score of 74 vs 51.
  • Seattle is more bike-friendly than San Jose with a score of 71 vs 62.
  • Seattle's crime rate is higher than San Jose with a score of 59.09 compared to 28.18.
  • Seattle is considered to be less safe than San Jose with a score of 49.23 vs 53.91.
  • Air Quality in Seattle is Good, and in San Jose it’s Good.

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 Jose Movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Silicon Valley Moving and Storage Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
186 Barnard Ave, San Jose, CA, 95125
(408) 941-0600
All Reasons Moving & Storage Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.76 / 5
600 E Trimble Rd, San Jose, CA, 95131
(408) 351-9515
Lunardi Moving Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.76 / 5
1856 Almaden Road Unit 3, San Jose, CA, 95125
(408) 849-9630

Visit our Best Movers in San Jose 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)

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