($1,650+) Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Albany, NY, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,650 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,127 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,892 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,187, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,127 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,007 - $7,511, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,650 - $4,591.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Albany, NY, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,720 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA
There are 3 main ways to move from Albany to Tacoma: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,720 - $6,894. Containers cost roughly 31% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 52% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,892 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,892-mile route from Albany to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,187 - $5,502, container $2,007 - $3,571, rental truck $1,650 - $2,988, freight trailer $1,789 - $3,485.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,720 - $6,894, container $2,553 - $5,448, rental truck $1,770 - $3,485, freight trailer $2,124 - $4,274.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,461 - $11,127, container $3,490 - $7,511, rental truck $2,110 - $4,591, freight trailer $2,932 - $5,489.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,892-mile move from Albany, New York, to Tacoma, Washington, with costs ranging from $2,187 - $11,127. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $326 - $2,172. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Albany and Tacoma. Local movers in Albany typically start around $295 as a base rate plus $115/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Albany to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,187 - $5,502
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,720 - $6,894
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,461 - $11,127
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Albany to Tacoma.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Albany movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing56% of local movers | $543 - $5,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mabey's Moving & Storage | $217 - $1,303/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,606 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs27% of local movers | $1,086 - $3,258 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,715 - $10,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $813 - $1,545 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items5% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Arnoff Moving & Storage | $1,086 - $2,715 |
| Piano | Any piano type18% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Don's Moving & Storage | $869 - $3,801 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $326 - $1,629 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Pioneer Moving Group | $706 - $2,172 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $326 - $16,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $326 - $3,801+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Albany to Tacoma?
Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Albany, NY. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Albany, New York, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,007 and $7,511. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Albany typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Albany to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,007 - $3,571
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,553 - $5,448
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,490 - $7,511
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $81 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $163 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tacoma, WA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $760 in Albany, NY. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New York to Washington move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $2,007. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,553 - $5,448.
What are the best moving containers Albany to Tacoma?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Albany to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Albany:
- Ashline Moving Help, 108 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5)
- Zip to Zip Moving Inc (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA
Truck rentals from Albany, New York, to Tacoma, Washington, range from $1,650 - $4,591 for the 2,892-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $999 - $1,142
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Albany daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Albany to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,650 - $2,988
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,770 - $3,485
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,110 - $4,591
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Albany to Tacoma starts at $1,650 - $4,591, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($999 - $1,142), overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Albany, New York, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $760.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $999 - $1,142 for the 2,892-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $65 and $353, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $163 per night for hotel stops on the 2,892-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $326 - $489.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Albany to Tacoma?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA
For larger DIY moves from Albany, New York, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Tacoma, Washington.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,124 and $4,274.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Albany to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,789 - $3,485
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,124 - $4,274
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,932 - $5,489
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Albany, New York, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $760.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $81 - $163 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Albany to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Albany to Tacoma. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Albany, NY vs Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with Albany on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Albany, NY | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 99 | 123 |
| Average rent | $1,450/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $222,741 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $59,485/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.9% | None |
| Walkability score | 65/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 49.65/100 | 44.45/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Albany, NY guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from New York to Washington, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. New York alone has 520 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,892-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Albany, NY, to Tacoma, WA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,187 - $11,127 on the 2,892-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $2,007 - $7,511, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,650 - $4,591. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,720 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Albany, NY, to Tacoma, WA
What are the best neighborhoods in Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?
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.
What do local movers charge in Albany?
Local movers based in Albany typically start around $295 as a base rate, plus $115/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tacoma run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Albany, NY to Tacoma, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,650 to $11,127, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,187 and $11,127, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Albany movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 18% of movers in Albany handle piano moves, and 5% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.