($1,296) Moving From Michigan to Washington
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Michigan to Washington ranges from $1,408 to $8,345 and takes seven-eighteen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service Michigan moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Michigan to Washington separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Washington to Michigan guide.
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The best Michigan to Washington movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Michigan to Washington 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 Michigan to Washington:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- 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
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local Michigan movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3521 East Cork Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001 (269) 503-8488 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | Get A Quote |
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1200 E Oakland Ave, Lansing, MI, 48906 (336) 810-1801 |
| Handle With Care Moving | Get A Quote |
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4260 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108 (734) 677-2000 |
Visit our Best Movers in Michigan page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from Michigan to Washington?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Michigan to Washington for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,296 - $5,696 | $1,293 - $3,113 | $1,394 - $2,641 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,862 - $8,345 | $2,185 - $4,759 | $1,408 - $2,961 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,254 - $12,406 | $3,252 - $6,321 | $1,832 - $3,929 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,279 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from MI to WA
There are many factors that influence Michigan moving costs. The cost to move from Michigan to Washington will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Michigan is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from Michigan to Washington?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Michigan to Washington will cost between $1,296 and $5,696. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MI to WA will range from $3,862 to $8,345, and a large move from Michigan to Washington will cost from $7,254 to $12,406.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Michigan to Washington?
Moving containers from Michigan to Washington will cost you $1,293 to $3,113 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,185 to $4,759. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,252 to $6,321. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Michigan.
How much is a moving truck from Michigan to Washington?
A moving rental truck is generally 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
$1,394 to $2,641.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,408 to $2,961,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Michigan to Washington costs from
$1,832 to $3,929.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Michigan to Washington a good idea?
If you’re moving to Washington from Michigan, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Michigan vs. Washington
| Michigan | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $892 | $1,258 |
| Average home cost | $232,380 | $582,732 |
| Average income (per capita) | $68,505 | $73,775 |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.5% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.0% | 9.23% |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 41% more expensive in Washington than in Michigan.
- Home prices are about 151% higher in Washington than in Michigan.
- The average income is about 8% higher in Washington than in Michigan.
- Cost of living is 9% lower in Washington than in Michigan.
- Washington has a higher unemployment rate than Michigan by about 10%.
- Sales taxes are 54% higher in Washington than in Michigan.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Washington than in Michigan.
How does life in Washington differ from Michigan?
| Washington | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,738,692 | 10,034,113 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 58-39 | Democratic 59-48 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 29ºF | 14ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 34" |
| Annual snow | 18" | 64" |
| Crime index | 30.22 | 18.76 |
- The population of Washington is approximately 23% lower than the population of Michigan.
- In the last presidential election, Washington voted Democrat and Michigan voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Washington is 79ºF and in Michigan, it’s 81ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Washington reaches the temperature of 29ºF and Michigan gets down to 14ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-eight inches of annual rainfall in Washington versus thirty-four inches of rainfall in Michigan.
- In Washington, it snows about eighteen inches annually versus sixty-four inches of snow in Michigan.
- Washington has a higher crime rate than Michigan with a crime index of 30.22 vs 18.76.
Comparing the pros of Michigan vs. Washington
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Michigan versus Washington side by side.
| Pros of living in Michigan | Pros of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| Scenic beauty | Beautiful landscapes |
| Good higher education | Ample economic opportunity |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | High quality of life |
| Low cost of living | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Beautiful lakes | Delicious seafood |
Comparing the cons of living in Michigan vs. Washington
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Michigan for Washington.
| Cons of living in Michigan | Cons of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| Cold snowy winters | Constant rain |
| Spotty economic opportunity | Bad traffic |
| Poor transportation infrastructure | High cost of living |
| Expensive education | High crime rate |
| Thick accents | Natural disasters |
What to know before your move to Washington
- Weather: Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
- 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Washington. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.
Things to do in Washington
While you’re in Washington, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- The Space Needle and Seattle Center
- Pike Place Market
- The Museum of Flight
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Lake Chelan
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- North Cascades National Park
- San Juan Islands
- Leavenworth
- Museum of Glass
- Washington State Capitol Building
- Bellingham
- Puget Sound
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Spokane Riverfront Park
- Deception Pass State Park
- Washington State Ferries
- Port Angeles
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Michigan to Washington?
The cheapest way to move from Michigan to Washington is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from Michigan to Washington?
The main reasons people are moving from Michigan to Washington are the amazing upsides of living in Washington such as beautiful landscapes and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Michigan or Washington?
It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in Washington. Housing is much more affordable in Michigan, with average rent about 29% less and home prices 60% lower than in Washington. Washington has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Washington?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Washington you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Airway Heights will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
