Moving to Seattle from Out of State
Real costs and planning tips for moves to Seattle from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and beyond — plus what to expect once you get here.
💡 Quick Answer
Moving to Seattle from LA or San Francisco typically runs $2,500-$4,500 full-service for a 1-2 bedroom home, $1,800-$3,200 for DIY truck rental, or $2,200-$4,000 for a portable container (POD). From Portland, expect roughly half that given the much shorter distance.
Cost by Where You're Coming From
| Moving From | Distance | Cost Range (1-2 Bed) |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 175 miles | $800–$2,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | 815 miles | $2,500–$4,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,135 miles | $2,500–$4,500 |
| Denver, CO | 1,320 miles | $3,000–$5,500 |
| New York, NY | 2,850 miles | $5,000–$9,000+ |
Larger homes (3+ bedrooms) can run significantly higher — see the options below for how to control cost regardless of home size.
Los Angeles → Seattle
The most common long-distance route into Seattle, largely driven by tech relocations. It's a straight shot up I-5 — about 1,135 miles, roughly 17-18 hours of driving if you're doing it yourself.
DIY Truck Rental
$2,000–$3,200
Plus 2+ days of driving, fuel, lodging
POD / Container
$2,500–$4,000
You load, they drive — best value for most
Full-Service
$3,500–$7,000
They pack, drive, and unload everything
San Francisco → Seattle
About 815 miles up I-5 — a day shorter of driving than LA. Another common tech-worker route, and pricing lands in roughly the same range as LA given the comparable distance.
DIY: $1,800–$3,000 • POD: $2,200–$3,800 • Full-service: $3,200–$6,500
Portland → Seattle
At only 175 miles up I-5, this is an easy move — many people do it in a single day. DIY or a small POD is usually the most cost-effective choice at this distance rather than paying full-service rates.
How to Save Money on Your Move to Seattle
Downsize before you pack — weight and volume drive most of the cost
Move off-peak (October–April) to save 15–25% vs. summer rates
Get 3-5 quotes and compare DIY, POD, and full-service side by side
Book 8-12 weeks ahead, especially for a summer move
Consider a POD over full-service movers — often 30-50% cheaper for a similar level of convenience
Pack yourself and let movers or POD handle only the driving and heavy lifting
Get Quotes for Your Move to Seattle
We're a real Seattle-area moving crew that handles long-distance deliveries — get a free quote within 24 hours, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to Seattle?▼
Budget $2,500-$4,500 for a 1-2 bedroom full-service move, $2,000-$3,200 for a DIY truck rental, or $2,500-$4,000 for a portable container (POD). Full households or 3+ bedrooms can run $5,000-$8,000+.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Seattle?▼
Similar to LA given the comparable distance (about 800 miles): $2,500-$4,500 full-service, $1,800-$3,000 DIY, or $2,200-$3,800 via POD, depending on home size and how much you're bringing.
How long does a move from LA or SF to Seattle take?▼
Full-service movers typically deliver in 5-10 business days depending on load size and route. DIY driving the I-5 corridor takes about 2 days for LA (1,135 miles) or 1 day for SF (815 miles), not counting loading/unloading time.
Is it cheaper to move to Seattle yourself or hire movers?▼
DIY (truck rental) is typically the cheapest option but requires you to drive, load, and unload everything yourself. A POD/container service is a middle ground - you load, they drive. Full-service costs more but they handle everything.
When's the cheapest time to move to Seattle from out of state?▼
October through April (off-peak season) typically runs 15-25% cheaper than the May-September peak, when tech relocations and lease turnovers spike demand.
Moving Away From Seattle Instead?
The same cost ranges above apply in reverse for Seattle → Portland, San Francisco, or Los Angeles moves. DIY truck rental is usually cheapest for the short Portland run; POD containers tend to offer the best value for California-distance moves. See our local cost guide for in-Seattle pricing, or our truck rental guide if you're driving yourself.