($1,538+) Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $1,538 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,559 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,822 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,978, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $13,559 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,018 - $6,815, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,538 - $4,183.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,314 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Tacoma to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $4,314 - $8,931 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 61% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,822 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,822-mile route from Tacoma to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,978 for a studio up to $13,559 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $2,018 - $6,815 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,538 - $4,183, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,729 - $5,624, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA
For the 2,822-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, full-service movers cost between $2,978 and $13,559. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $346 - $2,308 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Tacoma generally start around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,978 - $6,774
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,314 - $8,931
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,539 - $13,559
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 Philadelphia.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $577 - $5,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $231 - $1,385/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $346 - $2,770 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,154 - $3,462 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,885 - $11,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $864 - $1,642 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $1,154 - $2,885 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $923 - $4,039 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $346 - $1,731 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $750 - $2,308 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $346 - $17,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $346 - $4,039+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Philadelphia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Tacoma, WA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $2,018 and $6,815. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Philadelphia. If you go over that window, storage in Tacoma adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,018 - $3,738
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,566 - $5,258
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,402 - $6,815
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Tacoma, WA and Philadelphia, PA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $808 in Tacoma, WA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $87 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $173 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington to Pennsylvania 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 $2,018. 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 $2,566 - $5,258.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Philadelphia?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,822 miles from Tacoma, Washington, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, running $1,538 - $4,183. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,036 - $1,184
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Tacoma to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,538 - $3,043
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,700 - $3,731
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,127 - $4,183
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,538 - $4,183 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tacoma to Philadelphia. Fuel ($1,036 - $1,184), lodging at around $173/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,036 - $1,184 for the 2,822-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about 5 hours typically costs around $808.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,822-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $173 per night, adding $346 - $519 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $58 and $346.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Philadelphia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 $2,074 and $3,996.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,729 - $3,195
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,074 - $3,996
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,860 - $5,624
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $87 - $173 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Tacoma, Washington, typically costs $808.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Philadelphia quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Philadelphia, PA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Philadelphia, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 33.91/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Philadelphia, PA to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to Pennsylvania, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Washington alone has 265 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,822-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Tacoma, WA, to Philadelphia, PA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,978 - $13,559 on the 2,822-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $2,018 - $6,815, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,538 - $4,183. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $4,314 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Philadelphia, PA
What is the best time of year to move from Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Tacoma, WA to Philadelphia, PA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, 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.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
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.