Seattle to Olympia Movers & Costs (2026)
Moving from Seattle to Olympia, WA (~60 miles) typically costs $60 - $3,861, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
Local movers such as Gentle Giant Moving Company, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.64 out of 5 stars across 629 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $141/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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November is a low-cost month to move in Seattle
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from Seattle to Olympia?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Seattle to Olympia are regulated by Washington law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Washington intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Washington companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend Gentle Giant Moving Company (4.64/5) as the top local pick, followed by Hansen Bros Moving and Storage (4.62/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Seattle to Olympia moves complete in 1 - 2 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 279+ Washington movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Seattle to Olympia?
Moving from Seattle to Olympia costs between $60 and $3,861*, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
The breakdown below shows what each moving service typically runs, depending on your home size:
- Full-service movers: $556 - $3,861
- Moving containers: $425 - $1,444
- Rental trucks: $60 - $127
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves bundle packing, loading, transport, and unloading into one price. Professional packing alone tacks on $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers shift the heavy lifting to you, which is where most of the savings come from.
- Rental trucks cut costs roughly 30% versus full-service, but you handle the driving and either do the heavy lifting yourself or hire moving labor.
- moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $556 - $2,783 | $425 - $769 | $60 - $98 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,048 - $3,101 | $648 - $1,227 | $68 - $121 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,426 - $3,861 | $835 - $1,444 | $84 - $127 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 279+ Washington moving companies, and are updated as of November 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Seattle, WA movers.
How Seattle to Olympia moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $141 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,692.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 11% of Seattle movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 12% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item 8% of Seattle movers handle hot tubs, vs 9% nationally. Top pick: Hansen Bros Moving and Storage |
Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Seattle to Olympia
Moving from Seattle to Olympia is a job for local and regional Washington movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. Gentle Giant Moving Company leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.64 out of 5 stars across 629 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Seattle to Olympia
Local movers operating within Washington know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
4.64 / 5
- Years in Business: 43
- 98% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 136
- 90% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.58 / 5
- Years in Business: 22
- 81% positive reviews
- BBB: A
Our top local picks:
- Gentle Giant Moving Company (4.64/5 stars): 97.5% positive customer ratings.
- Hansen Bros Moving and Storage (4.62/5 stars): 89.5% positive customer ratings.
- Seattle Movers (4.58/5 stars): 80.5% positive customer ratings.
- Eco Movers Moving & Storage (4.52/5 stars): 94.2% positive customer ratings.
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.48/5 stars): 94.5% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 201 movers in Seattle, drawing on 52,906 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Seattle to Olympia
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Seattle, WA
Seattle residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Washington moving resources
How does Olympia compare to Seattle?
Cost of living: Seattle vs. Olympia
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Seattle | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,975 | $1,895 |
| Average home cost | $911,938 | $457,660 |
| Average income (per capita) | $121,984 | $76,930 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,740 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,801 | $5,391 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.6% |
| Average sales tax | 10.35% | 9.4% |
Cost-of-living data for Seattle and Olympia comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 279+ Washington moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Olympia match Seattle. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in Olympia are 50% lower than Seattle. Buyers can stretch existing budget into a larger home, better neighborhood, or earlier purchase timeline.
- Average income in Olympia is 37% lower than Seattle. A same-role transfer typically requires offsetting the salary gap with cost-of-living savings.
- Cost of living for one person in Olympia is 34% lower than Seattle. The savings typically free up 34% of monthly take-home for savings or discretionary spending.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Olympia is 45% lower than Seattle. Most households convert the savings into housing upgrades, college savings, or retirement contributions.
- Unemployment in Olympia runs 17% higher than Seattle. Lock in a role before relocating, especially if you depend on a single income.
- Sales taxes in Olympia are 9% lower than Seattle. Households with larger spending profiles see the biggest savings.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,980 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Seattle.
How life is different in Seattle vs. Olympia
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Olympia might look different from Seattle in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Seattle | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 55,605 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-43 | Democratic 58-39 |
| Summer high | 76ºF | 78ºF |
| Winter low | 36ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 53" |
| Annual snow | 5" | 6" |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 27.95 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Washington can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 22% of movers in Washington, vs 23% nationally).
- Olympia is 92% smaller in size than Seattle. Smaller cities typically offer lower housing costs and shorter commutes, with fewer industry options for niche careers.
- In the last presidential election, both Seattle and Olympia voted Democratic.
- Summer highs in Olympia (78°F) match Seattle (76°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Seattle (36°F) and Olympia (33°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Olympia is 53 inches, vs. 38 inches in Seattle. Expect more wet days and budget for rain-resistant gear and home maintenance.
- Annual snowfall in Seattle (5 inches) and Olympia (6 inches) is similar. Existing winter routines transfer.
- Crime index in Olympia (27.95) is lower than Seattle (58.88). Lower property crime typically translates to lower home insurance premiums and broader housing options.
Things to do in Olympia
Olympia offers a mix of outdoor adventure, cultural attractions, live sports, and university campuses. The categories below highlight standout destinations in each.
Museums in Olympia
- Hands On Children's Museum
- Olympic Flight Museum
- WET Science Center
- Bigelow House Museum
- Childhood's End Gallery
Parks in Olympia
- Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
- Squaxin Park
- Percival Landing
- Tolmie State Park
- Monarch Sculpture Park
Universities in Olympia
- Saint Martin's University
- South Puget Sound Community College
- Evergreen State College
- Saint Martin's University
Final verdict: Seattle to Olympia movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Washington service. For smaller moves, Gentle Giant Moving Company (4.64/5) is the top local choice, with 97.5% positive reviews across 629 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $60 - $3,861, based on our analysis of 279+ Washington movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Seattle to Olympia
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Olympia?
The cheapest time to move to Olympia is between early October and late April, outside the industry's peak season of May through September. Demand and prices both drop once summer ends, so timing your move in the off-season saves money.
Is moving from Seattle to Olympia considered a long-distance move?
A move from Seattle to Olympia is classified as an intrastate move, governed by Washington law rather than federal DOT rules for interstate moves. Most full-service movers price intrastate moves over 50 miles by weight and mileage rather than an hourly rate. Confirm your mover holds a valid Washington intrastate operating authority, not just a USDOT number, before signing.
How long does a move from Seattle to Olympia take?
Most moves from Seattle to Olympia take 1 - 2 days from pickup to delivery. Same-day or next-day delivery is common on intrastate routes like this one, and getting your delivery date in writing gives you a binding guarantee. Add 4 - 8 hours for professional packing of a 2 - 3 bedroom home before the truck departs.
What percentage of Seattle movers handle piano or antique moves?
About 32% of movers in Seattle handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.
How many movers in Seattle offer labor-only help?
27% of movers in Seattle offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.