($521+) Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA Movers
Moving from Seattle, WA, to Sacramento, CA, runs anywhere from $521 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,723 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 753 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,851, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,723 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,325, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $521 - $1,483.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Seattle, WA, to Sacramento, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,469 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Seattle to Sacramento: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,469 - $6,253. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 753-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 753-mile route from Seattle to Sacramento, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,851 - $4,626, container $1,096 - $1,898, rental truck $521 - $950, freight trailer $977 - $1,760.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,469 - $6,253, container $1,354 - $2,580, rental truck $556 - $1,152, freight trailer $1,115 - $2,043.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,552 - $8,723, container $1,851 - $3,325, rental truck $748 - $1,483, freight trailer $1,366 - $2,715.
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 Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
Full-service movers for the 753-mile relocation from Seattle, Washington, to Sacramento, California, cost between $1,851 and $8,723. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $437 - $2,912, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Seattle typically charge a base rate around $260 plus $141 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Seattle to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,851 - $4,626
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,469 - $6,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,552 - $8,723
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 Seattle to Sacramento.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Seattle movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Sacramento, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing69% of local movers | $728 - $7,280 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $291 - $1,747/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $437 - $3,494 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,456 - $4,368 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,640 - $14,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,091 - $2,072 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,456 - $3,640 |
| Piano | Any piano type32% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,165 - $5,096 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $437 - $2,184 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Hansen Bros Moving and Storage | $946 - $2,912 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $437 - $21,840+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $437 - $5,096+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Seattle to Sacramento?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Seattle, WA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
Moving containers from Seattle, Washington, to Sacramento, California, cost between $1,096 and $3,325. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Seattle costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Seattle to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $1,898
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,354 - $2,580
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,851 - $3,325
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $109 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $218 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,019 in Seattle, WA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Sacramento, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington to California 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 $1,096. 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 $1,354 - $2,580.
What are the best moving containers Seattle to Sacramento?
- 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 Seattle 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 Seattle:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Eco Movers Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 17 years in business
- On The Go Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
Truck rentals from Seattle, Washington, to Sacramento, California, range from $521 - $1,483 for the 753-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $349 - $399
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Seattle daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.19 - $1.39
| 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 Seattle to Sacramento based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $521 - $950
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $556 - $1,152
- 4+ bedrooms: $748 - $1,483
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Seattle to Sacramento starts at $521 - $1,483, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($349 - $399), overnight lodging ($218/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 Seattle, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,019.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $349 - $399 for the 753-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 $87 and $473, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $218 per night for hotel stops on the 753-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $437 - $655.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Seattle to Sacramento?
- 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 Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
For larger DIY moves from Seattle, Washington, 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 Sacramento, California.
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 $1,115 and $2,043.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Seattle to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $977 - $1,760
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,115 - $2,043
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,715
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Seattle, Washington, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,019.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $109 and $218 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Seattle to Sacramento?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Seattle to Sacramento. 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: Seattle, WA vs Sacramento, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sacramento, side by side with Seattle on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Seattle, WA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 158 | 127 |
| Average rent | $1,975/mo | $1,899/mo |
| Median home value | $911,938 | $483,739 |
| Average income | $121,984/yr | $83,753/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 7.7% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 74/100 | 49/100 |
| Safety index | 49.23/100 | 50.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Sacramento, CA to Seattle, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Washington to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 279 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 753-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Seattle, WA, to Sacramento, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,851 - $8,723 on the 753-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,096 - $3,325 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $521 - $1,483 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,469 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Sutter Health and SynGen.
FAQs: Moving from Seattle, WA, to Sacramento, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Seattle?
Local movers based in Seattle typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $141/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 Sacramento run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Sacramento?
For families, Boulevard Park, River Park, and Land Park are worth a look in Sacramento. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento, and Land Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $556 - $1,152. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Seattle movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 32% of movers in Seattle handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.