Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Lansing to Seattle costs $1,649–$9,568 and takes seven to 18 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 2,264-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Seattle to Lansing guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Lansing to Seattle
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Lansing to Seattle isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your MI to WA move
Local moving companies in Lansing
- Handle With Care Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Kingsley Moving Systems LLC: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Powell Relocation Group: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Campus Concepts: Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Corrigan Moving Systems: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 359936
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 808976
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 34172
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 1890987
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 261884
Years in Business: 63
DOT #: 261884
Alternate Names: Powell Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 36269
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2582190
Alternate Names: Wondermove
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Storage
Company Info
Years in Business: 74
DOT #: 77949
Alternate Names: Corrigan Moving Systems, Midland Moving & Storage Company, Corrigan United Moving & Storage Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
How much does it cost to move from Lansing to Seattle?
Lansing movers charge $240 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 | $1,661 - $6,653 | $1,504 - $3,619 | $1,586 - $3,065 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,455 - $9,568 | $2,867 - $5,422 | $1,649 - $3,649 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,965 - $15,240 | $3,788 - $7,268 | $2,191 - $4,652 |
Cost to hire movers from Michigan to Washington
Planning a move from Michigan to Washington? For a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,661 and $6,653. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,455 and $9,568 for the same journey (MI to WA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $8,965 to $15,240.
Cost of moving containers from Michigan to Washington
When you’re heading from Michigan to Washington, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,504 and $3,619. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $2,867 and $5,422. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $3,788 to $7,268. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Michigan easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Michigan to Washington
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,586 and $3,065. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,649 and $3,649. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $2,191 and $4,652.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Lansing to Seattle move
What to know before moving from Lansing to Seattle
Moving from Lansing to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Lansing, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Lansing | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,129 | $1,975 |
| Average home value | $148,542 | $842,068 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,729 | $77,845 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,595 | $3,740 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,199 | $9,801 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 10.35% |
| State income tax | 4.25% | 0.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Seattle, since prices are typically 75% higher than in Lansing.
- The home prices in Seattle are 466.9% higher than in Lansing, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Seattle, where incomes are, on average, 20.3% higher than in Lansing. Major employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 134.5% higher than in Lansing. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Seattle, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 133.4% higher than in Lansing.
- The unemployment rate in Seattle is 35.14% lower than in Lansing.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Seattle, since its sales taxes are 72.50% higher than what you are paying in Lansing.
- One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Lansing.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,034.48 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lansing.
How life is different in Lansing vs. Seattle
| Seattle | Lansing | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 112,644 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 46 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 55 |
| Crime Index | 58.88 | 48.66 |
| Safety Index | 49.23 | 51.34 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Seattle is about 554% greater than Lansing, 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.
- Seattle offers better access to buses and trains than Lansing, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Lansing. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Seattle means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Lansing. Seattle is considered more walkable than Lansing, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 46 out of 100 in Lansing. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Seattle is considered more bike-friendly than Lansing in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, while Lansing is rated as 55 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Seattle is higher than in Lansing, 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 48.66 in Lansing. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- Seattle is generally as safe as Lansing, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Seattle and Lansing 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 Lansing 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Washington, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Seattle Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
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
Things to do in Seattle
After getting comfortable in your new Washington home, it's time to see what Seattle is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Seattle include museums and art centers like the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Museum of Flight.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek Park — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL), or Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Lansing to Seattle?
The best time to move from Lansing to Seattle is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Lansing.
When is the cheapest time to move from Lansing to Seattle?
With many people choosing to move from Lansing to Seattle in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Lansing to Seattle take?
The 2,264-mile move from Lansing, MI, to Seattle, WA, takes seven to 18 days. Some Lansing movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Seattle.
