Portland, OR to Seattle, WA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Portland to Seattle typically costs $1,700–$4,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 173 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Portland to Seattle
Moving from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA typically costs $1,700–$4,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 173-mile move from Portland to Seattle, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $2,701 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $1,915 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $1,049 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 14, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 11, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 09, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 23, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 16, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 12, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Portland to Seattle
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,000, but larger homes can run up to $6,500.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Portland.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($200–$500) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR guide.
Best Portland to Seattle movers by type
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Best professional movers from Portland to Seattle
For a stress-free interstate move from Portland to Seattle, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best OR→WA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 37 Oregon moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Portland to Seattle
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Seattle runs about 45% higher for singles and 61% higher for families than Portland.
Singles spend around $3,740 in Seattle versus $2,572 in Portland; families pay $9,801 compared with $6,077.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Portland | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,825 | $2,306 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,410 | $4,655 |
| Average home value | $522,596 | $842,068 |
| Average income (per capita) | $85,876 | $77,845 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,572 | $3,740 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,077 | $9,801 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 0.0% | 10.35% |
| State income tax | 9.9% | 0.0% |
- As you consider relocating to Seattle, note that rent can be roughly 29% more expensive than it is in Portland; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 61% higher in Seattle than in Portland.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 9% less in Seattle than in Portland.
- Plan for higher expenses in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person is 45% more than in Portland. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Seattle, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 61% more than it is in Portland.
- Seattle experiences an unemployment rate that is about 30% lower than that of Portland. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Seattle has a sales tax, while Portland does not. That means you’ll pay more at checkout after your move, adding extra cost to everyday purchases.
- Washington has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Portland with Seattle:
| Living Expense | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $211.77 | $250.22 |
| Cell phone plan | $66.74 | $60.15 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.64 | $6.07 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.11 | $4.84 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $95.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $37.76 | $78.35 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Portland than in Seattle, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Portland than in Seattle.
- Eggs are less expensive in Portland than in Seattle.
- Bread costs less in Portland than in Seattle.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Portland than in Seattle.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Portland than in Seattle.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Portland than in Seattle.
How life is different in Portland vs. Seattle
| Portland | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 652,503 | 737,015 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 81 | 74 |
| Bike friendliness score | 92 | 71 |
| Crime index | 57.37 | 58.88 |
| Safety index | 42.63 | 49.23 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Seattle's population is about 13% greater than Portland.
- Seattle's public transportation score is within about 5% of Portland, making them very similar.
- Seattle is less walkable than Portland with a score of 74 out of 100 vs Portland's 81 out of 100.
- Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Portland, which has a score of 92.
- Seattle and Portland have a similar crime rate with scores of 58.88 and 57.37, respectively.
- Seattle is considered to be safer than Portland with a safety index of 49.23 vs Portland's 42.63.
- Air quality in Seattle is Good, and in Portland it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Portland to Seattle move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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 verify a Washington moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Washington doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Seattle smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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
Now that you've chosen Emerald City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Seattle to check out.
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: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Seattle offers cultural landmarks like the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Seattle Seahawks (NFL)Seattle Mariners (MLB)Seattle Kraken (NHL)Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)Seattle Seawolves (MLR)Seattle Dragons (XFL)Seattle Storm (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to Seattle?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Portland to Seattle are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Portland are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Seattle?
Because spring and fall moves from Portland to Seattle are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Portland to Seattle take?
A move of 173 miles from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA generally takes one to two days. Movers in Portland sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Seattle is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Portland?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Portland offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 16 movers in Portland have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 10 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across OR, there are 28 piano movers and 16 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
