($715+) Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $715 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,901 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,128 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,261, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,901 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,228 - $4,221, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $715 - $1,992.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,932 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Tacoma to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,932 - $6,725 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 46% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 73% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,128-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,128-mile route from Tacoma to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,261 - $5,572 | $1,228 - $2,182 | $715 - $1,389 | $1,061 - $1,984 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,932 - $6,725 | $1,581 - $3,008 | $780 - $1,619 | $1,240 - $2,506 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,017 - $8,901 | $2,012 - $4,221 | $923 - $1,992 | $1,610 - $3,344 |
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 Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Tacoma, Washington, to Long Beach, California, costs between $2,261 and $8,901. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,128-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $416 - $2,772, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Tacoma and Long Beach. For a rough baseline, movers based in Tacoma tend to start around $316 plus $133/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,261 - $5,572
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,932 - $6,725
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,017 - $8,901
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 Tacoma to Long Beach.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $693 - $6,930 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $277 - $1,663/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $416 - $3,326 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,386 - $4,158 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,465 - $13,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,038 - $1,972 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,386 - $3,465 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,109 - $4,851 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $416 - $2,079 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $901 - $2,772 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $416 - $20,790+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $416 - $4,851+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Long Beach?
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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Tacoma, WA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,228 and $4,221. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Long Beach. If you go over that window, storage in Tacoma adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,228 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,581 - $3,008
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,012 - $4,221
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Tacoma, WA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $970, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $104 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $208 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Tacoma, WA, and Long Beach, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,228. 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 $1,581 - $3,008.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Long Beach?
- 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,128-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Long Beach, California, costs between $715 and $1,992, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $497 - $569
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $715 - $1,389
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $780 - $1,619
- 4+ bedrooms: $923 - $1,992
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tacoma to Long Beach starts at $715 - $1,992, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($497 - $569), overnight lodging ($208/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $208 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Tacoma, Washington, usually costs about $970 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,128-mile drive falls between $497 and $569, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $69 and $416 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Long Beach?
- 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 Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Tacoma, Washington, to Long Beach, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,247 and $2,506.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,061 - $1,984
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,240 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,610 - $3,344
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $104 and $208.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for roughly five hours typically average $970.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Long Beach, CA to Tacoma, 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 1,128-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Tacoma, WA, to Long Beach, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,261 for a studio to $8,901 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,128-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,228 - $4,221. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $715 - $1,992, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,932 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Long Beach, CA
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $715 to $8,901, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,261 and $8,901, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Long Beach?
Long Beach has a walkability score of 73 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($497 - $569), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $208/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What is the best time of year to move from Tacoma, WA to Long Beach, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.