Fact Checked by: Quick answer: For a 173-mile move from Seattle to Portland, expect to spend around $264–$5,301 and one to two days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Portland to Seattle guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Seattle to Portland
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Seattle to go to Portland 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.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your WA to OR move
Local moving companies in Seattle
- Eco Movers Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Seattle Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- North Coast Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All Service Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Hansen Bros Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 3227005
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 3227005
Alternate Names: GS Moving Services LLC, Eco-Movers, The Big Guys, The Big Guys Home Delivery, Eco Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: HG063388
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 1731101
Alternate Names: Express Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 076235
Years in Business: 62
DOT #: 76235
Alternate Names: NCM&S LLC, Allied Van Lines
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
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: HG064752
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 1863079
Alternate Names: ASM LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 1782
Years in Business: 134
DOT #: 8257
Alternate Names: Peasley Transfer & Storage, Hansen Bros Moving and Storage, Peasley Transfer and Storage, Hansen Bros Transfer and Storage Co, PortaBox Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
How much does it cost to move from Seattle to Portland?
Seattle movers charge $141 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 | $969 - $3,636 | $678 - $1,493 | $225 - $412 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,758 - $5,301 | $1,214 - $2,246 | $264 - $490 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,426 - $6,749 | $1,475 - $2,675 | $299 - $558 |
Cost to hire movers from Washington to Oregon
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Washington to Oregon, you can expect prices to land between $969 and $3,636. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $1,758 to $5,301 for the trip from WA to OR. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $2,426 and $6,749.
Cost of moving containers from Washington to Oregon
If you're moving from Washington to Oregon, expect to pay between $678 and $1,493 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,214 up to $2,246. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,475 and $2,675. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Washington.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Washington to Oregon
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $225 and $412. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $264 and $490. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $299 and $558.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Seattle to Portland move
What to know before moving from Seattle to Portland
Moving from Seattle to Portland means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Seattle than in Portland, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Seattle compares to Portland so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Seattle | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,975 | $1,530 |
| Average home value | $842,068 | $522,596 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,845 | $85,876 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,740 | $2,572 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,801 | $6,077 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 6.9% |
| Sales tax | 10.35% | 0.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 9.9% |
- Rent prices in Portland are 23% lower than in Seattle, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Portland.
Home prices in Portland are 37.9% lower than in Seattle. - You’re likely to make a higher income living in Portland, where incomes are, on average, 10.3% higher than in Seattle. Major employers in Portland include KinderCare Learning Centers, Daimler Trucks North America, and Precision Castparts.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Portland. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 31.2% lower than in Seattle.
- A move to Portland can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 38.0% less than what it costs in Seattle.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 43.75% higher than in Seattle.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city's sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Seattle.
- State income taxes in Portland are 9.90% higher than in Seattle.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,063.10 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.
How life is different in Seattle vs. Portland
| Portland | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 652,503 | 737,015 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 81 | 74 |
| Bike friendliness score | 92 | 71 |
| Crime Index | 57.37 | 58.88 |
| Safety Index | 42.63 | 49.23 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 11% less than Seattle.
- Portland's public transportation has a similar score to Seattle.
- Portland is more walkable than Seattle with a score of 81 out of 100 vs Seattle's 74 out of 100.
- With a score of 92 out of 100, Portland is more bike-friendly than Seattle, which has a score of 71 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Portland and Seattle have a similar crime rate.
- Portland is considered to be less safe than Seattle with a score of 42.63 vs Seattle's 49.23.
- Air quality in Portland is good, and in Seattle it's good.
Other things to consider for your Seattle vs. Portland move
- Weather: Portland has cool and rainy winters and warm and dry summers. Portland also has overcast, wet, and changing weather conditions in fall, winter, and spring, Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rainy days,
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Oregon moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Oregon doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Portland. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice as it comes at no extra cost. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Portland
Ready to relocate to Bridgetown? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Portland.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Northwest
- Buckman
- Goose Hollow
- Richmond
Best neighborhoods for families
- Forest Park
- Hillsdale
- Irvington
- Sellwood-Moreland
- Southwest Hills
Things to do in Portland
After getting comfortable in your new Oregon home, it's time to see what Portland is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Portland is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Maritime Museum, and World Forestry Center - Discovery Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Washington Park, Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, and Mount Tabor 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 Portland Trailblazers (NBA), Portland Timbers (MLS), or Portland Thorns (NWSL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Portland?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Seattle to Portland You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Seattle.
When is the cheapest time to move from Seattle to Portland?
Because spring and fall moves from Seattle to Portland are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Seattle to Portland take?
The 173-mile journey from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR, typically takes one to two days. Some movers in Seattle offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Portland.
