The BEST Moving Companies in Tacoma, WA
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Tacoma, WA, is Mountain Moving & Storage, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of Washington to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Tacoma-based mover: Mountain Moving & Storage
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Tacoma, WA
- Mountain Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Apex Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- PNW Moving and Delivery: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Atlantic Relocation Systems: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Excellent Customer Service
- Professional and Courteous Staff
- Careful Handling of Items
- Poor Communication from Office Staff
- Occasional Damage to Items
- Vehicle Reliability Issues
Company Info
State license #: 885643
Years in Business: 60
DOT #: 885643
Alternate Names: Mountain Trucking Co Inc
Mountain Moving & Storage, based in Lakewood, WA, has been a trusted name in the local moving industry since 1964. Specializing in local residential moves, they also offer packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, ensuring a comprehensive moving experience. With a stellar A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and high ratings on Google My Business, they stand out as a reliable choice compared to other nearby movers. While their Yelp reviews are mixed, the overall customer satisfaction is solid, making them a reputable option for moving needs in the area.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
- Excellent Customer Service
- Efficient Handling of Belongings
- Professional and Friendly Staff
- High Charges
- Delays in Service
- Damage to Items During Move
Company Info
State license #: 1064661
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1064661
Alternate Names: Apex Moving & Storage LLC, Apex Movers LLC, Apex Packing & Loading Service
Apex Moving & Storage, serving Puyallup, WA, has been a trusted name in local residential moves since 1999. Boasting a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, Apex stands out among nearby moving companies for its reliability and customer satisfaction, evidenced by an average Yelp rating of 4.1 and an impressive Google rating of 4.6. In addition to local moves, they offer specialized services such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, and military relocations. Apex Moving & Storage also accepts credit cards and provides full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring a seamless and worry-free moving experience.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
- Professional and Efficient Teams
- Excellent Communication
- Careful Handling of Items
- Inconsistent Service Quality
- Poor Management
- Damage to Belongings During Moves
Company Info
State license #: 2919585
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2919585
Alternate Names: PNW Delivery LLC, PNW Moving and Storage LLC, PNW Moving LLC
PNW Moving and Delivery has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Tacoma, WA, since 2017. Unlike many nearby competitors, PNW Moving and Delivery offers extensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized handling of pianos and art. They boast a high level of customer satisfaction, reflected in their Google My Business reviews with an impressive average rating of 4.9 from 264 reviews, and hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Although their Yelp rating is moderate at 3.6 from 20 reviews, their overall reputation is solid and dependable. Notably, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a flexible option for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professionalism
- Efficient and Fast Service
- Excellent Communication
- Rude Customer Service
- Unresolved Damage Claims
- Poor Packing Practices
Company Info
State license #: 2385545
Years in Business: 100
DOT #: 2730619
Alternate Names: Effort Enterprises of Tacoma Inc
Atlantic Relocation Systems is a highly reputable moving company that has been providing local residential moving services in and around Tacoma, WA since 1925. With an impressive consumer review profile, the company boasts an average rating of 4.8 on Yelp and 4.2 on Google, in addition to holding an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Compared to other nearby moving companies, Atlantic Relocation Systems stands out with its comprehensive suite of services, including packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized moving for items like pianos and antiques. They also offer shipment tracking and accept both cash and credit cards, providing flexibility and peace of mind for customers.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional Service
- Efficient Crew
- Competitive Pricing
- Poor Communication
- Late Deliveries
- Item Damage
Company Info
Years in Business: 109
DOT #: 2897746
Coleman Worldwide Moving, a trusted name in the moving industry since 1915, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Lakewood, WA. Unlike many nearby competitors, Coleman Worldwide Moving also provides long-distance and international relocation services, along with comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services. While customer reviews are mixed—Yelp ratings average at 1.0 with a limited sample size, but Google reviews are more favorable with a 3.7 average—the company maintains an impressive A rating with the Better Business Bureau. No deposit is required, and they accept credit cards, making the payment process straightforward for clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of Washington
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving Washington for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Tacoma, WA
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Tacoma vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Tacoma, WA move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Tacoma, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Washington costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $1.09–$1.89 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Tacoma, WA
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Tacoma:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Tacoma
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 73 Washington movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Tacoma mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Tacoma, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Tacoma or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Washington, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Tacoma has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Tacoma may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Tacoma movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Tacoma movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in Washington.
Average cost of movers in Tacoma, Washington
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Tacoma area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Washington for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Tacoma
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Tacoma, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Tacoma, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $1.09 per mile to $1.89 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Tacoma is $133 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $494 | $187 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $681 | $187 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,090 | $261 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,503 | $366 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,869 | $366 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,403 | $512 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Tacoma
The cost to move from Tacoma to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Washington. Here are a few examples:
- Tacoma to California Movers: $699 to $6,961
- Tacoma to New York Movers: $1,736 to $9,340
- Tacoma to Illinois Movers: $1,364 to $8,648
- Tacoma to New York Movers: $1,736 to $9,340
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Tacoma will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Tacoma will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Washington state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Tacoma, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for local movers in Tacoma?
Some neighborhoods have competition for a limited number of on-street parking spaces. Growing demand for parking is attributable to several factors such as increased vehicle ownership, increased residential occupancy, and increases in nearby employment and commercial/retail activity. The Residential Parking Program (RPP) is a management tool used to mitigate adverse and chronic levels of commuter or non-resident parking along streets with adjacent residential properties. All vehicles parked in a designated Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) must adhere to the posted regulations or risk being issued a corrective action. A fee based parking permit is required to park for more than two-hours in an RPZ. To contact the Residential Parking Program (RPP), please email [email protected] or call at (253) 591-5371.
For more info on parking permits in Tacoma, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Tacoma moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Tacoma mover by planning your moving date outside of peak season, which runs from May through September. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
There are other ways to negotiate your moving costs, including asking a company about any moving discounts or deals that may apply to you.
Do Tacoma movers offer storage?
Yes, many Tacoma movers offer short- and long-term storage options. Many moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Tacoma mover doesn’t offer storage — or you need services beyond what they can provide — reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.
How can I see all moving companies in Washington?
You can see all moving companies in Washington by taking a look at our full list of Washington movers.
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