Seattle, WA to Portland, OR Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Seattle to Portland typically costs $1,700–$4,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 174 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, OR typically costs $1,700–$4,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 174-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
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $2,456 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $2,847 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $2,054 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 16, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 24, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 08, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 03, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 16, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 13, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 09, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 08, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 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 $1,000, but larger homes can run up to $6,100.
- 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 ($200–$500) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA guide.
Best Seattle to Portland movers by type
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Local
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Rental Truck
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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→OR 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 31% less for singles and 38% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,572 for one person in Portland versus $3,740 in Seattle. For a family of four, it's $6,077 compared with $9,801.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Seattle | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,306 | $1,825 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,655 | $3,410 |
| Average home value | $842,068 | $522,596 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,845 | $85,876 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,740 | $2,572 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $9,801 | $6,077 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 6.9% |
| Sales tax | 10.35% | 0.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 9.9% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 23% lower in Portland than in Seattle, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 38% lower in Portland than in Seattle.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 10% higher in Portland compared to Seattle, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Portland, where the cost of living for a single person is 31% 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 44% higher compared to Seattle, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Portland has no sales tax, so you’ll save money on every taxable purchase compared to Seattle. This can be especially helpful if you make frequent or larger purchases.
- Oregon 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 | $211.77 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.15 | $66.74 |
| Dozen eggs | $6.07 | $4.64 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.84 | $4.11 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $95.00 |
| Gym membership | $78.35 | $37.76 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Seattle than in Portland.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Seattle than in Portland.
- Eggs cost more in Seattle than in Portland.
- Bread is more expensive in Seattle than in Portland.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Seattle than in Portland.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier 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 | 652,503 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 81 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 92 |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 57.37 |
| Safety index | 49.23 | 42.63 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 11% less than Seattle.
- Portland's public transportation score is within about 5% of Seattle, making them very similar.
- Portland is more walkable than Seattle with a score of 81 out of 100 vs Seattle's 74 out of 100.
- With a score of 92 out of 100, Portland 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.
- Portland and Seattle have a similar crime rate with scores of 57.37 and 58.88, respectively.
- Portland is considered to be less safe than Seattle with a score of 42.63 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: Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Oregon 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. Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice as it comes at no extra cost. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article.
- 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 Bridgetown as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Portland to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Northwest
- Buckman
- Goose Hollow
- Eliot
- Richmond
- Pearl
Best neighborhoods for families
- Forest Park
- Hillsdale
- Irvington
- Sellwood-Moreland
- Southwest Hills
Things to do in Portland
After getting comfortable in your new Oregon 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 Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Oregon Historical Society, and Oregon Maritime Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Washington Park, Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, and Mount Tabor 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 Portland Trailblazers (NBA)Portland Timbers (MLS)Portland Thorns (NWSL) 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 174 miles from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR generally takes one to two 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.
