($802) Moving from Seattle to Portland

Quick answer: A move from Seattle to Portland costs $212 to $4,521 and takes one-two days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 174-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Seattle will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Portland to Seattle guide.

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The best Seattle to Portland moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Seattle to Portland is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Seattle to Portland.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Seattle to Portland?

Seattle movers charge $141 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $802 - $3,131 $513 - $1,301 $202 - $321
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,456 - $4,521 $1,035 - $1,769 $212 - $390
4+ bedrooms $1,970 - $5,535 $1,350 - $2,329 $243 - $454
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 174 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Seattle to Portland

The cost of Seattle movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Seattle to Portland can be as low as $802 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $4,942.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Seattle, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $202 to $415. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Seattle to Portland?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Seattle to Portland will cost between $802 to $3,131. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,456 to $4,521, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Seattle to Portland will cost from $1,970 to $5,535.

How much are moving container companies from Seattle to Portland?

Moving containers from Seattle to Portland will cost you $513 to $1,301 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,035 to $1,769. A larger home will cost $1,350 to $2,329.

How much is a moving truck from Seattle to Portland?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $202 to $321. A larger move will cost $212 to $390, and a four-bedroom move from Seattle to Portland costs from $243 to $454. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Seattle to Portland

Cost of living: Seattle vs Portland

Seattle Portland
Average rent cost $2,000 $1,595
Average home value $824,264 $519,746
Average income (per capita) $75,156 $78,476
Cost of Living (single person) $1,211 $2,606
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,345 $6,274
Unemployment rate 4.8% 6.9%
Sales Tax 10.25% 0.0%
State Income Tax 0.0% 9.9%
  • Rent prices in Portland are 20% lower than in Seattle.
  • Home prices in Portland are 36.9% lower than in Seattle.
  • Income in Portland is 4.4% higher than in Seattle.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 115.2% higher than in Seattle.
  • The cost of living for a family in Portland is 44.4% higher than in Seattle.
  • The unemployment rate in Portland is 43.75% higher than in Seattle.
  • Sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Seattle.
  • State income taxes in Portland are 9.90% higher than in Seattle.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $6,455.82 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.

How is life different in Seattle compared to Portland?

Portland Seattle
Population 652,503 737,015
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 8
Walkability score 81 74
Bike friendliness score 92 71
Crime Index 66.39 59.09
Safety Index 43.3 49.23
Air Quality Good Good
  • Portland's population is about 11% less than Seattle.
  • Portland's public transportation has a similar score to Seattle.
  • Portland is more walkable than Seattle with a score of 81 out of 100 vs Seattle's 74 out of 100.
  • Portland is more bike-friendly than Seattle with a score of 92 out of 100 vs Seattle's 71.
  • Portland's crime rate is higher than Seattle with a score of 66.39 compared to Seattle's 59.09. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 66.39% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 59.09%.
  • Portland is considered to be less safe than Seattle with a score of 43.3 vs Seattle's 49.23.
  • Air quality in Portland is good, and in Seattle it's good.

Considerations for moving to Portland

  • Weather: Portland has cool and rainy winters and warm and dry summers. Portland also has overcast, wet, and changing weather conditions in fall, winter, and spring, Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rainy days,
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Oregon does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Portland. Get started 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Seattle movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Eco Movers Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
1200 W Nickerson St, Seattle, WA, 98119
(206) 971-6895
North Coast Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
13045 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA, 98005
(425) 448-8263

Visit our best long distance movers in Seattle page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Bridgetown", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Downtown
  • Northwest
  • Buckman
  • Goose Hollow
  • Eliot
  • Richmond
  • Pearl

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Forest Park
  • Hillsdale
  • Irvington
  • Sellwood-Moreland
  • Southwest Hills

What to do in Portland

These are some of the best things to do in your new Oregon home.

  • Tom McCall Waterfront Park
  • International Rose Test Garden
  • Oregon Zoo
  • Lan Su Chinese Garden
  • Portland Saturday Market
  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
  • Pittock Mansion
  • Portland Art Museum
  • Voodoo Doughnut
  • Powell's City of Books

Get your sports on!

Portland is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
  • Portland Timbers (MLS)
  • Portland Thorns (NWSL)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Seattle to Portland?

The best time to move from Seattle to Portland is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Seattle.

When is the cheapest time to move from Seattle to Portland?

Because most people are moving from Seattle to Portland in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Seattle to Portland take?

The 174-mile move from Seattle, WA, to Portland, OR, takes one-two days. Some Seattle movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Portland.

Helpful moving resources