($1,231) Moving from San Diego to Seattle

Quick answer: A move from San Diego to Seattle costs $871 to $6,555 and takes three-eight 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 1,261-mile move yourself.

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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Diego 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 Seattle to San Diego guide.

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The best San Diego to Seattle moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Diego to Seattle 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 San Diego to Seattle.

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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 San Diego to Seattle?

San Diego movers charge $200 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 $1,231 - $5,236 $958 - $2,255 $774 - $1,477
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,841 - $6,555 $1,732 - $3,212 $871 - $1,830
4+ bedrooms $4,766 - $9,021 $2,370 - $4,395 $1,140 - $2,299
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,261 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 San Diego to Seattle

The cost of San Diego 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 San Diego to Seattle can be as low as $1,231 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,119.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Diego, 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 $774 to $2,061. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Diego to Seattle?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Diego to Seattle will cost between $1,231 to $5,236. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,841 to $6,555, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Diego to Seattle will cost from $4,766 to $9,021.

How much are moving container companies from San Diego to Seattle?

Moving containers from San Diego to Seattle will cost you $958 to $2,255 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,732 to $3,212. A larger home will cost $2,370 to $4,395.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego to Seattle?

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 $774 to $1,477. A larger move will cost $871 to $1,830, and a four-bedroom move from San Diego to Seattle costs from $1,140 to $2,299. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Diego to Seattle

Cost of living: San Diego vs Seattle

San Diego Seattle
Average rent cost $2,895 $2,000
Average home value $961,892 $824,264
Average income (per capita) $71,251 $75,156
Cost of Living (single person) $3,451 $1,211
Cost of Living (family of 4) $7,610 $4,345
Unemployment rate 6.6% 4.8%
Sales Tax 7.75% 10.25%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Seattle are 31% lower than in San Diego.
  • Home prices in Seattle are 14.3% lower than in San Diego.
  • Income in Seattle is 5.5% higher than in San Diego.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 64.9% lower than in San Diego.
  • The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 42.9% lower than in San Diego.
  • The unemployment rate in Seattle is 27.27% lower than in San Diego.
  • Sales taxes in Seattle are 32.26% higher than in San Diego.
  • State income taxes in Seattle are 100.00% lower than in San Diego.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,052.74 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.

How is life different in San Diego compared to Seattle?

Seattle San Diego
Population 737,015 1,386,932
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 6
Walkability score 74 53
Bike friendliness score 71 43
Crime Index 59.09 23.28
Safety Index 49.23 59.1
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Seattle's population is about 47% less than San Diego.
  • Seattle's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus San Diego's higher score of 6.
  • Seattle is more walkable than San Diego with a score of 74 out of 100 vs San Diego's 53 out of 100.
  • Seattle is more bike-friendly than San Diego with a score of 71 out of 100 vs San Diego's 43.
  • Seattle's crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 59.09 compared to San Diego's 23.28. This means that Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 59.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 23.28%.
  • Seattle is considered to be less safe than San Diego with a score of 49.23 vs San Diego's 59.1.
  • Air quality in Seattle is good, and in San Diego it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Seattle

  • Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
  • 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Washington 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 Seattle. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Diego movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
9245 Farnham St, San Diego, CA, 92123
(858) 935-8392
Aloha Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
7263 Engineer Rd ste c, San Diego, CA, 92111
(858) 429-9111

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

Where to live in Seattle

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Emerald City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Seattle.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Ballard
  • Capitol Hill
  • Fremont
  • Lower Queen Anne
  • South Lake Union

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Greenwood
  • Laurelhurst
  • Magnolia
  • Upper Queen Anne
  • West Seattle

What to do in Seattle

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

  • Pike Place Market
  • The Showbox
  • Washington State Ferries
  • Waterfront Park
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • South Lake Union
  • Seattle Center & the Space Needle
  • Seattle Aquarium
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Museum of Flight
  • MOHAI: The Museum of History & Industry
  • Museum of Pop Culture - MoPop
  • Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
  • Pacific Science Center
  • The Seattle Great Wheel
  • Washington Park Arboretum
  • Seattle Japanese Garden
  • Pioneer Square
  • Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Get your sports on!

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

  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB)
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
  • Seattle Dragons (XFL)
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Diego to Seattle?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Seattle?

Because most people are moving from San Diego to Seattle 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 San Diego to Seattle take?

The 1,261-mile move from San Diego, CA, to Seattle, WA, takes three-eight days. Some San Diego movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Seattle.

Helpful moving resources