($1,712) Movers From Myrtle Beach, SC to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Myrtle Beach to Seattle

Moving from Myrtle Beach to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Myrtle Beach, 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 7% higher than in Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach.
  Home prices in Seattle are 181.1% higher than in Myrtle Beach.
• Income in Seattle is 44.2% higher than in Myrtle Beach, 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 56.6% higher than in Myrtle Beach. 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 104.6% higher than in Myrtle Beach.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 36.84% lower than in Myrtle Beach.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 15.00% higher than in Myrtle Beach.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Myrtle Beach.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,698.49 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Myrtle Beach.

How life is different in Myrtle Beach vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 1,966% greater than Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 2 in Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach. Seattle is considered more walkable than Myrtle Beach, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 43 out of 100 in Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach is rated as 54 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Seattle as Myrtle Beach. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Seattle than in Myrtle Beach, based on Seattle’s safety index of 49.23 versus 41.94 for Myrtle Beach. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Seattle and Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Washington, visit 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: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Seattle without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Seattle

With your sights set on "Emerald City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Seattle.

Helpful moving resources