($1,235) Movers From California to Seattle, WA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Moving from California to Seattle, WA, costs $669 to $5,831 and takes two to seven days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 945-mile move.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Seattle, WA to California guide.
The best California to Seattle, WA, full-service moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from California 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 California to Seattle.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
Cost to hire professional movers from California to Seattle
The best moving containers for your California to Seattle move
If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.
Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.
Here are our moving container companies in California, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in Seattle, WA:
- 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
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
Cost of moving containers from California to Seattle
The best moving truck rentals for your California to Seattle move
If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to California to Seattle. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.
Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in California:
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
- 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
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Seattle
The best hourly movers for your California to Seattle move
Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to Seattle, WA, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.
A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.
We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in California to make your move faster and easier:
- 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
How much does it cost to move from California to Seattle, WA?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Seattle for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
Hiring a professional California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,235 - $4,694 | $861 - $2,096 | $601 - $1,233 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,357 - $5,831 | $1,444 - $3,066 | $669 - $1,352 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,998 - $7,621 | $1,943 - $3,639 | $840 - $1,712 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 945 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.
The cost to move from California to Seattle, WA, will depend on:
- Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in California, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.
Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.
Things to know before moving from California to Seattle, WA
Cost of living: California vs Seattle, WA
| California | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,975 |
| Average home value | $771,057 | $842,068 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $77,845 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 5% |
| State income tax | 13% | 0% |
Seattle sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 6% more expensive in Seattle than in California.
- Home prices are about 9% higher in Seattle than in California.
- The average income is about 15% lower in Seattle than in California.
- Seattle has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 11%.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Seattle than in California.
How life is different in Seattle from California
| Seattle | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-43 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 76ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 36ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 5" | 7" |
| Crime index | 58.88 | 28.43 |
Seattle sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Seattle is approximately 98% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Seattle voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Seattle is 76ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Seattle reaches the temperature of 36ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Seattle vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Seattle, it snows about 5 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Seattle has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 58.88 vs 28.43.
Things to do in Seattle
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Seattle.
Museums in Seattle
Parks in Seattle
Sports Teams in Seattle
Universities in Seattle
Other considerations when moving to Seattle, WA
- 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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 on the state regulator's official website.
- 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 Washington. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Compare the pros and cons of California vs. Seattle, WA
Comparing the pros of California vs. Seattle, WA:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Seattle side-by-side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Seattle, WA |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Beautiful nature |
| Pleasant weather | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant recreational options | Safe |
| High quality of life | Delicious seafood |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Seattle, WA:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Seattle.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Seattle, WA |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High cost of living |
| Heavy tax burdens | Rainy weather |
| Natural disasters | Xenophobic residents |
| Terrible traffic | Terrible traffic |
| Strange laws | Expensive housing market |
FAQ
How long does a move from California to Seattle take?
The time frame for a move from California to Seattle, WA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Seattle will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Seattle from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Seattle?
Because of the 945-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Seattle as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Seattle, WA?
With the summer highs of 76ºF and the winter lows of 36ºF, most people move to Seattle from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Seattle during summer or winter.
