Seattle, WA to Portland, ME Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Seattle to Portland typically costs $5,700–$10,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 3,132 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Seattle to Portland
Moving from Seattle, WA to Portland, ME typically costs $5,700–$10,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 3,132-mile move from Seattle to Portland, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $3,348 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $4,430 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $6,928 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Feb 07, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 01, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 25, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 25, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 23, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 19, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 26, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 25, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 03, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Seattle to Portland
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $3,500, but larger homes can run up to $17,200.
- 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 ($1,900–$5,400) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Portland, ME to Seattle, WA guide.
Best Seattle to Portland movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Seattle to Portland
For a stress-free interstate move from Seattle to Portland, 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
Best overall value
How we chose the best WA→ME 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 Portland
Many movers find Portland easier on the wallet than Seattle - roughly 33% less for singles and 38% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,491 for one person in Portland versus $3,740 in Seattle. For a family of four, it's $6,060 compared with $9,801.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Seattle | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,306 | $1,925 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,655 | $3,500 |
| Average home value | $842,068 | $542,001 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,845 | $64,171 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,740 | $2,491 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $9,801 | $6,060 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 10.35% | 5.5% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 5.8% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Seattle to Portland, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 36% lower in Portland than in Seattle.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 18% less in Portland than in Seattle.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Portland, where the cost of living for a single person is 33% less than in Seattle.
- Moving to Portland 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 38% less than in Seattle.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 8% higher compared to Seattle, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 47% lower in Portland than in Seattle. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Portland can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Maine 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 Portland:
| Living Expense | Seattle | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $250.22 | $203.15 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.15 | $54.88 |
| Dozen eggs | $6.07 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.84 | $3.62 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $120.00 |
| Gym membership | $78.35 | $65.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Seattle than in Portland.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Seattle than in Portland.
- Eggs cost more in Seattle than in Portland.
- Bread is more expensive in Seattle than in Portland.
- The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Seattle than in Portland.
- Gym memberships cost more in Seattle than in Portland.
How life is different in Seattle vs. Portland
| Seattle | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 68,408 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 62 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 68 |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 32.16 |
| Safety index | 49.23 | 67.84 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 91% less than Seattle.
- Portland's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than Seattle's score of 8.
- Portland is less walkable than Seattle with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Seattle's 74 out of 100.
- Both Portland and Seattle have similar bike-friendliness scores (71 vs 68), meaning Portland is about as safe for cyclists as Seattle. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Portland's crime rate is lower than Seattle with a score of 32.16 compared to Seattle's 58.88. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 58.88%.
- Portland is considered to be safer than Seattle with a safety index of 67.84 vs Seattle's 49.23.
- Air quality in Portland is Good, and in Seattle it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Seattle to Portland 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: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Maine 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 Portland smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Portland
Now that you've chosen The Forest City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Portland to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East End
- West End
- West Bayside
- Parkside
- Downtown
- Oakdale
- Back Cove
- Valley Street
Best neighborhoods for families
- Deering Center
- East End
- Rosemont
- West End
- Valley Street
- North Deering
- Back Cove
- East Deering
- Oakdale
Things to do in Portland
After getting comfortable in your new Maine home, it's time to see what Portland 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, Portland offers cultural landmarks like the Portland Museum of Art, Victoria Mansion, 5th Maine Museum, and The Wadsworth-Longfellow House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Eastern Promenade Trail, Back Cove Trail, Deering Oaks Park, and Quarry Run Dog 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 Maine Celtics (G League)Maine Mariners (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Portland?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Seattle to Portland 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 Portland?
Because spring and fall moves from Seattle to Portland 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 Portland take?
A move of 3,132 miles from Seattle, WA to Portland, ME generally takes seven to 21 days. Movers in Seattle sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Portland 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.
