($1,952) Movers From Manchester, NH to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Manchester to Seattle

Moving from Manchester to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Manchester, 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:

• Rent prices in Seattle are 1% lower than in Manchester, 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 Manchester.
  Home prices in Seattle are 105.2% higher than in Manchester.
• Income in Seattle is 16.0% higher than in Manchester, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top 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 52.7% higher than in Manchester. 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 86.5% higher than in Manchester.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 26.32% higher than in Manchester.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 10.35% higher than in Manchester.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Manchester.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,581.46 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Manchester.

How life is different in Manchester vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 537% greater than Manchester, 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 Manchester, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 3 in Manchester. 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 Manchester. Seattle is considered more walkable than Manchester, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 51 out of 100 in Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester is rated as 42 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Seattle as Manchester. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Seattle than in Manchester, based on Seattle’s safety index of 49.23 versus 43.91 for Manchester. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Seattle and Manchester 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 Manchester 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'spublic 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 toSeattle 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 chosen "Emerald City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Seattle to check out.

Helpful moving resources