($1,532) Movers From Albany, NY to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Albany to Seattle

Moving from Albany to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Albany, 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 36% higher than in Albany, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Albany.
  Home prices in Seattle are 199.0% higher than in Albany.
• Income in Seattle is 17.0% higher than in Albany, 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 107.7% higher than in Albany. 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 133.1% higher than in Albany.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 32.39% lower than in Albany.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 29.38% higher than in Albany.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Albany.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,229.87 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Albany.

How life is different in Albany vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 643% greater than Albany, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Seattle will be about the same as it currently is in Albany. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Seattle means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Albany. Seattle is considered more walkable than Albany, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 65 out of 100 in Albany. 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 Albany 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 Albany is rated as 55 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Seattle is higher than in Albany, 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 10.0 in Albany. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• Seattle is generally as safe as Albany, 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 Albany 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 Albany 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