Seattle, WA to Boise, ID Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Seattle to Boise typically costs $2,600–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 494 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Seattle to Boise
Moving from Seattle, WA to Boise, ID typically costs $2,600–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 494-mile move from Seattle to Boise, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
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2-3 bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- PODS recently quoted $1,314 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $2,353 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $2,544 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
Factors that impact moving costs from Seattle to Boise
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,500, but larger homes can run up to $10,200.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Seattle.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($500–$1,200) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Boise, ID to Seattle, WA guide.
Best Seattle to Boise movers by type
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Best professional movers from Seattle to Boise
For a stress-free interstate move from Seattle to Boise, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best WA→ID movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 94 Washington moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Seattle to Boise
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Boise runs about 10% higher for singles and -31% higher for families than Seattle.
Singles spend around $4,100 in Boise versus $3,740 in Seattle; families pay $6,810 compared with $9,801.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Seattle | Boise | |
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| Average 1 BR rent | $2,306 | $1,579 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,655 | $2,475 |
| Average home value | $842,068 | $481,661 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,845 | $76,468 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,740 | $4,100 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $9,801 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 3.6% |
| Sales tax | 10.35% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 5.8% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 24% lower in Boise than in Seattle, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 43% lower in Boise than in Seattle.
- The average income in Boise and Seattle is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
- Plan for higher expenses in Boise, since the cost of living for a single person is 10% more than in Seattle. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- Moving to Boise could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 31% less than in Seattle.
- Boise experiences an unemployment rate that is about 25% lower than that of Seattle. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 42% lower in Boise than in Seattle. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Boise can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Idaho has a state income tax, while Washington does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Seattle with Boise:
| Living Expense | Seattle | Boise |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $250.22 | $136.12 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.15 | $49.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $6.07 | $3.88 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.84 | $3.51 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $65.00 |
| Gym membership | $78.35 | $39.83 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Seattle than in Boise.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Seattle than in Boise.
- Eggs cost more in Seattle than in Boise.
- Bread is more expensive in Seattle than in Boise.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Seattle than in Boise.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Seattle than in Boise.
- Gym memberships cost more in Seattle than in Boise.
How life is different in Seattle vs. Boise
| Seattle | Boise | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 235,684 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 88 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 99 |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 34.99 |
| Safety index | 49.23 | 65.01 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Boise's population is about 68% less than Seattle.
- Boise's public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than Seattle's score of 8.
- Boise is more walkable than Seattle with a score of 88 out of 100 vs Seattle's 74 out of 100.
- With a score of 99 out of 100, Boise is more bike-friendly than Seattle, which has a score of 71 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Boise's crime rate is lower than Seattle with a score of 34.99 compared to Seattle's 58.88. This means that Boise neighborhoods are safer than 34.99% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 58.88%.
- Boise is considered to be safer than Seattle with a safety index of 65.01 vs Seattle's 49.23.
- Air quality in Boise is Good, and in Seattle it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Seattle to Boise move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In Idaho, in-state movers are regulated by and must register with the Idaho Transportation Department. In cases of unresolvable disputes with local movers, they may help. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Idaho moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Idaho doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Boise smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection for minimal coverage, provided by movers at no extra charge. With liability capped at 60 cents per pound per article, consider alternative coverage options from your selected moving company or explore third-party insurance for full value protection.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Boise
Now that you've chosen City of Trees as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Boise to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central Bench
- Downtown Boise
- East End
- North End
- Southeast Boise
Best neighborhoods for families
- Collister
- Depot Bench
- North End
- Southwest Ada
- West Valley
Things to do in Boise
After getting comfortable in your new Idaho home, it's time to see what Boise is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Boise offers cultural landmarks like the Idaho State Museum, Boise Art Glass, Basque Museum & Cultural Center, and Discovery Center of Idaho.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Camel's Back Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, Julia Davis Park, and Barber Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Boise Hawks (Pioneer League)Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Boise?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Seattle to Boise are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Seattle are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Seattle to Boise?
Because spring and fall moves from Seattle to Boise are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Seattle to Boise take?
A move of 494 miles from Seattle, WA to Boise, ID generally takes one to four days. Movers in Seattle sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Boise is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Seattle?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 3 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Seattle offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 47 movers in Seattle have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 35 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across WA, there are 72 piano movers and 45 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.