($747+) Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA

Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $747 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,831 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,106 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 $2,354, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,831 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,267 - $4,184, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $747 - $1,979.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,032 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA

Moving options from Tacoma to Los Angeles fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,032 - $6,910 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 51% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,106 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,106-mile route from Tacoma to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,354 - $5,681 $1,267 - $2,165 $747 - $1,300 $1,097 - $1,968
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,032 - $6,910 $1,493 - $3,076 $762 - $1,658 $1,218 - $2,560
4+ bedrooms $4,768 - $8,831 $2,080 - $4,184 $996 - $1,979 $1,698 - $3,413

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,106-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, with prices running from $2,354 - $8,831. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $416 - $2,772 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Tacoma and Los Angeles are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Tacoma movers tend to run around $316 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,354 - $5,681
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,032 - $6,910
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,768 - $8,831

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 Los Angeles.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA

Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Los Angeles, 56% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing68% of local movers$693 - $6,930
Storage in transitNew place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$277 - $1,663/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$416 - $3,326
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers$1,386 - $4,158
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,465 - $13,860
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,038 - $1,972
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers$1,386 - $3,465
PianoAny piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers$1,109 - $4,851
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers$416 - $2,079
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers$901 - $2,772
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$416 - $20,790+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$416 - $4,851+

What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Los Angeles?

Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Tacoma, WA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA

Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,267 and $4,184. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Tacoma typically costs about $110/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $2,165
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,493 - $3,076
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,080 - $4,184

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 Los Angeles, 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 $1,267. 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 $1,493 - $3,076.

What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Los Angeles?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Los Angeles, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 1,106-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $747 and $1,979, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $488 - $557
  • 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 sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Tacoma to Los Angeles based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $747 - $1,300
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $762 - $1,658
  • 4+ bedrooms: $996 - $1,979

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $747 - $1,979 when pricing out a rental truck from Tacoma to Los Angeles. Fuel alone runs $488 - $557, and overnight lodging ($208/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $104 and $485.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $208.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $488 and $557 for the 1,106-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $970 for 2 movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Los Angeles?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Los Angeles, CA

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Tacoma, Washington, to Los Angeles, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,218 and $2,560.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $1,968
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,218 - $2,560
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,413

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

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 Los Angeles?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.

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 Los Angeles, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Tacoma, WA Los Angeles, CA
Cost of living index123162
Average rent$1,650/mo$2,960/mo
Median home value$454,577$878,142
Average income$83,857/yr$80,366/yr
Unemployment rate7.3%10.6%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score54/10069/100
Safety index44.45/10046.19/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Washington to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 265 movers licensed in Washington, useful context for sizing up this 1,106-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Tacoma, WA, to Los Angeles, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,354 for a studio to $8,831 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,106-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,267 - $4,184. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $747 - $1,979, 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 $3,032 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 County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.

FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Los Angeles, CA

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($488 - $557), 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 Los Angeles, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Los Angeles a safe place to live?

Los Angeles has a safety index of 46.19 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.81, compared to 44.45 and 55.55 in Tacoma. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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 40% and 26% nationally.