($1,732) Movers From Boston, MA to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Boston to Seattle

Moving from Boston to Seattle means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Boston than in Seattle, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Boston compares to Seattle so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Seattle are 42% lower than in Boston, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Boston.
  Home prices in Seattle are 13.9% higher than in Boston.
• Income in Seattle is 12.7% lower than in Boston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
• The cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 22.4% lower than in Boston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 13.3% lower than in Boston.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 22.58% lower than in Boston.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 65.60% higher than in Boston.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Boston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,327.80 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.

How life is different in Boston vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 9% greater than Boston, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Getting around Seattle without a car might be more difficult than in Boston. Seattle has a public transportation score of 8 out of 10, whereas Boston is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Seattle neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boston. Based on its score of 74 out of 100, Seattle isn’t as walkable as Boston, which has a score of 98 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Seattle, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boston. While Boston has a bike-friendliness score of 86 out of 100, Seattle earned a 71. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Seattle is higher than in Boston, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.88 in Seattle, it is 39.88 in Boston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Seattle. With a crime index of 49.23, Seattle ranks lower in overall safety than Boston, whose index is Boston's 60.12. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Seattle and Boston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Boston vs. Seattle move

• Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Washington moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Seattle. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Seattle

Ready to relocate to "Emerald City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Seattle.

Helpful moving resources