$889 Movers from Portland to Seattle
Quick Answer: The cost to move from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA averages from $238 to $4,916 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Seattle, WA. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Seattle to Portland guide.
Moving From Portland to Seattle
- Best Portland to Seattle movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from Portland to Seattle.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving costs.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- Portland to Seattle car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.
Moving 173 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
The Best Portland to Seattle Moving Companies
Hiring a moving company is a big deal.
We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.
If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
rating
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
How much does it cost to move from Portland to Seattle?
Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:
| Move Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $889 - $3,373 | $611 - $1,442 | $222 - $382 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,680 - $4,916 | $1,114 - $2,062 | $238 - $450 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,297 - $6,324 | $1,454 - $2,557 | $289 - $523 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 173 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
The cost to move from Portland to Seattle will depend on:
- Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
- Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Portland to Seattle?
To ship furniture from Portland to Seattle with a mover will cost between $889 to $3,373. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $1,680 to $4,916, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Portland to Seattle will cost from $2,297 to $6,324.
How much are moving container companies from Portland to Seattle?
Moving containers from Portland to Seattle will cost you $611 to $1,442 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,114 to $2,062. A larger home will cost $1,454 to $2,557.
How much is a moving truck from Portland to Seattle?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $222 to $382. A larger move will cost $238 to $450, and a 4+ bedroom move from Portland to Seattle costs from $289 to $523.
Pros and Cons of Moving from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA
Cost of Living: Portland vs Seattle
| Portland | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,495 | $1,899 |
| Average home value | $574,291 | $915,340 |
| Average income (per capita) | $653,467 | $69,500 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,129 | $1,211 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,020 | $4,345 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.8% |
| Sales Tax | 0.0% | 10.25% |
| State Income Tax | 9.9% | 0.0% |
- Rent Prices in Seattle, WA are 27% higher than in Portland, OR.
- Home Prices in Seattle, WA are 59.4% higher than in Portland, OR.
- Income in Seattle, WA is 89.4% lower than in Portland, OR.
- Cost of Living for a single person in Seattle, WA is 7.3% higher than in Portland, OR.
- Cost of Living for a family in Seattle, WA is 8.1% higher than in Portland, OR.
- Unemployment rate in Seattle, WA is 31.43% lower than in Portland, OR.
- Sales Taxes in Seattle, WA are 10.25% higher than in Portland, OR.
- State Income Taxes in Seattle, WA are 100.00% lower than in Portland, OR.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,782.1 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.
How is life different in Portland, OR to Seattle, WA?
| Seattle | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 652,503 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 100 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 98 |
| Crime Index | 59.09 | 54.58 |
| Safety Index | 49.23 | 48.14 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Seattle’s population is about 13% greater than Portland.
- Seattle’s public transportation is better than Portland with a score of 8 vs 9.
- Seattle is less walkable than Portland with a score of 74 vs 100.
- Seattle is less bike-friendly than Portland with a score of 71 vs 98.
- Seattle's crime rate is higher than Portland with a score of 59.09 compared to 54.58.
- Seattle is considered to be safer than Portland with a safety index of 49.23 vs 48.14.
- Air Quality in Seattle is Good, and in Portland it’s Good.
Considerations for moving to Seattle, WA
- Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move..
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Seattle. Get started here.
- Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.
Local Portland Movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
|
Get A Quote |
 
|
1648 SE Tenino St., Portland, OR, 97202 (503) 894-5260 |
| All Service Moving | Get A Quote |
|
66 SE Morrison St Portland, OR 97214, Portland, OR, 97214 (503) 810-2770 |
| Portland Movers Company | Get A Quote |
|
1320 NE 63rd Ave, Portland, OR, 97213 (503) 688-4687 |
Visit our Best Movers in Portland page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Seattle, WA
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Emerald City", these are the best neighborhoods in Seattle to move to.
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
What to do in Seattle
Moving to The “Emerald City”? These are some of the best things to do in your new Washington home.
- Pike Place Market
- The Showbox
- Washington State Ferries
- Waterfront Park
- Woodland Park Zoo
- South Lake Union
- Seattle Center & the Space Needle
- Seattle Aquarium
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Museum of Flight
- MOHAI: The Museum of History & Industry
- Museum of Pop Culture - MoPop
- Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
- Pacific Science Center
- The Seattle Great Wheel
- Washington Park Arboretum
- Seattle Japanese Garden
- Pioneer Square
- Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
Get your sports on!
Seattle is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:- Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
- Seattle Mariners (MLB)
- Seattle Kraken (NHL)
- Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
- Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
- Seattle Dragons (XFL)
- Seattle Storm (WNBA)
FAQs about moving from Portland to Seattle
When is the best time to move from Portland to Seattle?
The best time to move from Portland to Seattle is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 76ºF and the winter lows of 36ºF in Seattle.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Seattle?
Because most people are moving from Portland to Seattle in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on getting discounts on moving services to learn more.
