($1,584) Movers From Harrisburg, PA to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Harrisburg to Seattle

Moving from Harrisburg to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Harrisburg, 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 65% higher than in Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg.
  Home prices in Seattle are 266.1% higher than in Harrisburg.
• Income in Seattle is 6.3% higher than in Harrisburg, 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 102.3% higher than in Harrisburg. 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 171.3% higher than in Harrisburg.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 64.18% lower than in Harrisburg.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 72.50% higher than in Harrisburg.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Harrisburg.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,068.14 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Harrisburg.

How life is different in Harrisburg vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 1,371% greater than Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg. Seattle is considered more walkable than Harrisburg, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 68 out of 100 in Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg is rated as 57 out of 100.
• Seattle has a lower crime rate than Harrisburg based on scores of 58.88 and Harrisburg's 64.18, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Seattle than in Harrisburg, based on Seattle’s safety index of 49.23 versus 35.82 for Harrisburg. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Seattle has better air quality than in Harrisburg. Seattle has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Harrisburg. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Harrisburg 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