($1,355) Movers From San Diego, CA to Tacoma, WA

Quick answer: A move from San Diego to Tacoma costs $936–$6,974 and takes two to 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 1,226-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from San Diego to Tacoma is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Tacoma to San Diego guide.

The best San Diego to Tacoma full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in San Diego to go to Tacoma can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Diego to Tacoma.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
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  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
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(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 825-0554
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(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 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
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(855) 929-4120
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Diego to Tacoma will cost between $1,355 to $5,552. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,923 to $6,974, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Diego to Tacoma will cost from $5,350 to $9,275.

The best moving containers for your San Diego to Tacoma move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from San Diego to Tacoma. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from San Diego to Tacoma?toggle

Moving containers from San Diego to Tacoma will cost you $985 to $2,639 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,745 to $3,545. A larger home will cost $2,365 to $4,845.

The best moving truck rentals for your San Diego to Tacoma move

If you want to save even more money on your San Diego to Tacoma move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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How much is a moving truck from San Diego to Tacoma?toggle

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 $909 to $1,703. A larger move will cost $936 to $2,004, and a four-bedroom move from San Diego to Tacoma costs from $1,225 to $2,517. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your San Diego to Tacoma move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from San Diego to Tacoma:

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How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Tacoma?

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 $1,355 - $5,552 $985 - $2,639 $909 - $1,703
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,923 - $6,974 $1,745 - $3,545 $936 - $2,004
4+ bedrooms $5,350 - $9,275 $2,365 - $4,845 $1,225 - $2,517
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,226 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 Tacomatoggle

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 Tacoma can be as low as $1,355 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,502.
  • 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 $909 to $2,104. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from San Diego to Tacoma

San Diego Tacoma
Average rent cost $2,881 $1,650
Average home value $1,003,444 $477,289
Average income (per capita) $72,963 $73,341
Cost of living (single person) $3,346 $4,133
Cost of living (family of 4) $7,719 $7,260
Unemployment rate 6.6% 7.3%
Sales tax 7.75% 10.3%
State income tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Tacoma are 43% lower than in San Diego.
  • Home prices in Tacoma are 52.4% lower than in San Diego.
  • Income is the same in Tacoma and San Diego.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Tacoma is 23.5% higher than in San Diego.
  • The cost of living for a family in Tacoma is 5.9% lower than in San Diego.
  • The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 10.61% higher than in San Diego.
  • Sales taxes in Tacoma are 32.90% higher than in San Diego.
  • State income taxes in Tacoma are 100.00% lower than in San Diego.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,705.62 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.

How life is different in San Diego vs. Tacoma

Tacoma San Diego
Population 223,968 1,386,932
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 6
Walkability score 54 53
Bike friendliness score 48 43
Crime Index 55.55 39.83
Safety Index 44.45 60.17
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Tacoma's population is about 84% less than San Diego.
  • Tacoma's public transportation has a similar score to San Diego.
  • Tacoma is more walkable than San Diego with a score of 54 out of 100 vs San Diego's 53 out of 100.
  • Tacoma is more bike-friendly than San Diego with a score of 48 out of 100 vs San Diego's 43.
  • Tacoma's crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 55.55 compared to San Diego's 39.83. This means that Tacoma neighborhoods are safer than 55.55% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83%.
  • Tacoma is considered to be less safe than San Diego with a score of 44.45 vs San Diego's 60.17.
  • Air quality in Tacoma is good, and in San Diego it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your San Diego vs. Tacoma move

  • Weather: Tacoma has one of the best weather in the state of Washington which is a desirable feature for residence. Humidity in Tacoma is generally tolerable. The most humid months are August, July and September which are the best months to schedule a move to avoid rainfall and snow.
  • 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 Tacoma. 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.

Where to live in Tacoma

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America’s #1 Wired City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tacoma.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Central
  • Eastside-Enact
  • North End
  • Northeast Tacoma
  • West End

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • North End
  • West End

Things to do in Tacomatoggle

After settling into your new Washington home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Tacoma has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Tacoma is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the LeMay - America's Car Museum, Museum of Glass, LeMay Collections at Marymount, Washington State History Museum, and Tacoma Art Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Point Defiance Park, Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park, 5 Mile Drive & Trails, and Wright Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Tacoma Defiance (Soccer) and Tacoma Rainiers (Baseball) game.

FAQ

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

The best time to move from San Diego to Tacoma 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 Tacoma?

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

The 1,226-mile move from San Diego, CA, to Tacoma, WA, takes two to 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 Tacoma.

Helpful moving resources