Best Portland to Seattle Movers

How Much Do Portland to Seattle Movers Cost?

Moving 3,033 miles from Portland, ME to Seattle, WA will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 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 Portland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Seattle from Portland 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 Portland to Seattle moving option

Hire local Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland, ME to Seattle, WA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 36 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Portland and Seattle areas.

From these 36 companies, we analyzed a total of 13,067 reviews dating all the way back to September 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 17 state and federal moving licenses from these 36 companies and 185 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~13,000 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 4,485 Portland 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 SC Moving Services).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Portland 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.

8.68/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 8,199 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.47/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 2,875 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.64/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 1,447 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.81/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 3,146 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.81/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 1,178 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.84/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 3,809 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.17/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 4,834 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.42/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 8,220 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.51/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 4,709 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.53/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 853 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.39/10 avg (Portland & Seattle combined) from 3,973 reviews

From Portland to Seattle: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Old Port in Portland & Belltown in Seattle are both known for their: waterfront dining & nightlife
• Portland's West End neighborhood & Seattle's Queen Anne both share: historic homes near downtown
• If you're moving from East End/Arts District, check out Fremont in the Seattle area for the: art galleries & quirky vibe
• Do you enjoy Munjoy Hill's hilltop views & residential streets? You're sure to love Magnolia
• Move from Back Cove to Green Lake and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: scenic waterfront loop
• Deering Center & Phinney Ridge are both known for their: family-friendly atmosphere & local shops
• Portland's East Bayside neighborhood & Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood both have: industrial roots & a creative scene
• If you're moving from Rosemont, look into West Seattle for the: suburban feel & community parks
• Do you cherish living in North Deering's residential neighborhood & local pubs? Move into Ballard for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Portland to Seattle

ConsPortland, ME

• Cold winters
• Limited tech industry
• Fewer job options
• Lower salary range
• Limited direct flights

ProsSeattle, WA

• Mild winters
• Booming tech hub
• Job opportunities
• Higher salaries
• International flights

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Seattle, WA

• High cost of living
• More overcast days
• Urban traffic
• Less community feel
• Big city hustle

Portland, ME

• Cozy neighborhoods
• Local seafood
• Historic charm
• Community feel
• Small town vibe

Pros of moving from Portland to Seattle

• Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
• Look forward to moving away from the limited tech industry and moving to Seattle with a booming tech hub
• Swap the fewer job options of Portland for job opportunities in Seattle
• Get ready for higher salaries in Seattle

Cons of moving from Portland to Seattle

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cozy neighborhoods in Portland to live with the high cost of living in Seattle
• You'll lose out on the pro of local seafood and have to settle for the con of more overcast days
• Time to bid farewell to historic charm and get used to urban traffic in Seattle
• Swap the community feel for less community feel

Portland vs. Seattle: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Portland to Seattle, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Portland for the equally delicious Seattle Dog of Seattle. And while the locals in Portland rave about their flavorful Duck Confit and sumptuous Bacon Donut, Seattle residents know they have tasty Salmon and Pho to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Plant-Based Cheese Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Salad of Seattle. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Portland eateries like Central Provisions, Eventide Oyster Co., and Fore Street. After the boxes are unpacked in Seattle, don't wait too long before making your way to Seattle's acclaimed eateries like The Pink Door, Canlis, and Sálare.

When comparing lifestyles, Seattle shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Portland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Seattle compared to what you are used to in Portland. Also, the overall foodie scene is more 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 Portland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and Duckfat in Portland, we're sure you'll love The Walrus and the Carpenter, Canlis, and Un Bien in Seattle. See our Seattle restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Portland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Central Provisions, head to Bar Melusine on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Portland and Seattle

• The New England Colonial architecture that Portland is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Seattle.
• Compared to Portland's real estate listings that commonly reference historic charm and coastal views, Seattle real estate listings often highlight features like tech proximity and urban views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes, as Seattle is more walkable than Portland.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike, because Seattle is more bike-friendly than Portland.
• Seattle has more of an urban feel than Portland.
• Seattle housing costs are 60% more expensive than in Portland, with a median home price of $879,412 compared to Portland’s $548,318.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Seattle have increased by 20% compared to a 64% increase in Portland.
• Rent in Seattle is 2.05% more affordable than in Portland.

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 Portland and Seattle

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Portland to Seattle. Seattle gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Portland.
• Seattle has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Portland.
• Say goodbye to the possible winter storms in Portland, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes in Seattle.
• The average summer high temperature in Seattle is 3 degrees colder than in Portland.
• The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in Portland.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Seattle as it receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Portland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Portland and Seattle

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Seattle tend to earn about 58% more than those in Portland
• The COLI in Seattle is 4% higher than what you are used to while living in Portland
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Seattle is high compared to moderate in Portland
• The poverty level is moderate in Seattle compared to low in Portland
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Portland and high in Seattle

Political and Religious Climate in Portland vs. Seattle

• Portland tends to lean Moderate-Progressive in its political climate
• Seattle, on the other hand, is often described as progressive
• Seattle's religious environment can be described as less religious with higher numbers of non-affiliated individuals
• Portland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic and Protestant presence

Portland vs. Seattle Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 21% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Seattle compared to your Portland commute. That's 2,600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Seattle to be worse than it is in Portland.
• Public transit is more readily available in Seattle.