Best Oakland to Seattle Movers

How Much Do Oakland to Seattle Movers Cost?

Moving 805 miles from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Seattle that already have a booked job heading from Seattle to Oakland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Seattle from Oakland entirely empty. If you can find a Seattle moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Oakland to Seattle moving option

Hire local Oakland movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Seattle movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Oakland to Seattle move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Oakland to Seattle movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Oakland to Seattle moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 35 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Oakland and Seattle areas.

From these 35 companies, we analyzed a total of 14,408 reviews dating all the way back to September 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 22 state and federal moving licenses from these 35 companies and 178 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~14,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 3,999 Oakland to Seattle moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like Seattle Moves & More) vs older more established companies (like Upline Moving).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Oakland to Seattle moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.64/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 8,931 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.35/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 3,210 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.60/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 1,626 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.63/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 3,619 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.77/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 1,411 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.80/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 4,141 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.19/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 5,261 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.28/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 8,915 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.50/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 5,217 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.40/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 989 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.26/10 avg (Oakland & Seattle combined) from 4,436 reviews

From Oakland to Seattle: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Rockridge in Oakland & Wallingford in Seattle are both known for their: walkable village feel & local cafes
• Oakland's Montclair neighborhood & Seattle's Magnolia both share: hilly, wooded area & single-family homes
• If you're moving from Temescal, check out Fremont in the Seattle area for the: bohemian vibe & eclectic eateries
• Do you enjoy Uptown's arts district & vibrant nightlife? You're sure to love Capitol Hill
• Move from Lake Merritt to Green Lake and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: central park & lakeside recreation
• Fruitvale & Beacon Hill are both known for their: diverse community & ethnic markets
• Oakland's Jack London Square neighborhood & Seattle's Belltown neighborhood both have: waterfront dining & promenade
• If you're moving from Piedmont Avenue, look into Ballard for the: boutique shops & brewery scene
• Do you cherish living in West Oakland's industrial history & artist galleries? Move into Georgetown for something similar
• The similar vibes of Laurel & Phinney Ridge are both known for: village-style shops & hillside views

Pros and Cons of Moving from Oakland to Seattle

ConsOakland, CA

• Higher crime rate
• Costly housing
• Less rain
• Limited public parks

ProsSeattle, WA

• Lower crime rate
• More affordable options
• Lush, green environment
• Abundant green spaces

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Seattle, WA

• Less diversity in arts
• More rainy days
• Fewer cuisine options
• Lower cultural diversity

Oakland, CA

• Vibrant arts scene
• Warmer climate
• Diverse restaurants
• Rich cultural diversity

Pros of moving from Oakland to Seattle

• Say goodbye to higher crime rate and hello to lower crime rate
• Look forward to moving away from costly housing and moving to Seattle with more affordable options
• Swap the less rain of Oakland for a lush, green environment in Seattle
• Get ready for abundant green spaces in Seattle

Cons of moving from Oakland to Seattle

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant arts scene in Oakland to live with less diversity in arts in Seattle
• You'll lose out on the pro of a warmer climate and have to settle for the con of more rainy days
• Time to bid farewell to diverse restaurants and get used to fewer cuisine options in Seattle
• Swap rich cultural diversity for lower cultural diversity

Oakland vs. Seattle: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Oakland to Seattle, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of Oakland for the equally delicious Seafood, particularly Salmon, of Seattle. And while the locals in Oakland rave about their flavorful BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Tacos, Seattle residents know they have tasty Teriyaki and Hot Dogs, especially the Seattle Dog, to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pho of Seattle. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oakland eateries like Commune, Shakewell, and Brown Sugar Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Seattle, don't wait too long before making your way to Seattle's acclaimed eateries like Pike Place Chowder, Canlis, and Theo Chocolate Factory and Store.

When comparing lifestyles, Seattle shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oakland. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Seattle compared to what you are used to in Oakland. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Seattle.

Discover Seattle Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Seattle is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Oakland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Commis, Burma Superstar, and Pizzaiolo in Oakland, we're sure you'll love Canlis, Little Uncle, and Delancey in Seattle. See our Seattle restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Oakland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Brown Sugar Kitchen, head to JuneBaby on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oakland and Seattle

• The Victorian and Craftsman architecture that Oakland is known for will be replaced with the Contemporary and Craftsman architecture typical of Seattle.
• Compared to Oakland's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to public transit and views of the bay, Seattle real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront properties and tech-friendly homes.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Seattle is more walkable than Oakland.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Seattle is more bike-friendly than Oakland.
• Seattle has more of an urban feel than Oakland.
• Seattle housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Oakland, with a median home price of $879,412 compared to Oakland’s $803,291.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Seattle have increased by 20% compared to a 7% increase in Oakland.
• Rent in Seattle is 11.92% more affordable than in Oakland.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Seattle, WA

1. Ballard : You'll appreciate the walkability and numerous pet-friendly cafes and parks, like the popular Golden Gardens Park, perfect for walks by the beach with your furry friend.
2. Capitol Hill : This vibrant neighborhood is known for its many pet-friendly apartments and businesses, as well as off-leash dog parks where your pet can socialize and play.
3. West Seattle : You will love the expansive Alki Beach and Lincoln Park, both offering beautiful views and plenty of open space for walking and playing with your pet.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oakland and Seattle

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oakland to Seattle. Seattle gets 41% fewer sunshine days than Oakland.
• Seattle has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Oakland.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Oakland, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Seattle.
• The average summer high temperature in Seattle is 3 degrees warmer than in Oakland.
• The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Oakland.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Seattle. Seattle receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Oakland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Oakland and Seattle

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Seattle tend to earn about 35% more than those in Oakland
• The COLI in Seattle is 13% lower than what you are used to living in Oakland
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Seattle is very high compared to that in Oakland
• The poverty level is moderate in Seattle compared to substantial poverty in Oakland
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Oakland and significant in Seattle

Political and Religious Climate in Oakland vs. Seattle

• Oakland tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
• Seattle, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Seattle's religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher percentage of non-religious individuals
• Oakland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse and include Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism

Oakland vs. Seattle Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 7% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Seattle compared to your Oakland daily drive. That's an annual savings of 1,040 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Seattle to be better than it is in Oakland.
• Public transit is more readily available in Seattle.