Best Portland to Tacoma Movers

How Much Do Portland to Tacoma Movers Cost?

Moving 144 miles from Portland, OR to Tacoma, WA will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 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 Tacoma that already have a booked job heading from Tacoma to Portland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Tacoma from Portland entirely empty. If you can find a Tacoma moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Portland to Tacoma 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 Tacoma movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Portland to Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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, OR to Tacoma, WA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

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

From these 35 companies, we analyzed a total of 16,527 reviews dating all the way back to August 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 30 state and federal moving licenses from these 35 companies and 192 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~16,000 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 3,976 Portland to Tacoma 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 Comfortable Moving) vs older more established companies (like All Service Moving).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.74/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 9,567 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.37/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 3,210 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.71/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 1,409 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.11/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 3,361 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.56/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 939 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.93/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 4,490 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.24/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 5,821 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.52/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 9,464 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.75/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 5,451 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.68/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 700 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.43/10 avg (Portland & Tacoma combined) from 4,654 reviews

From Portland to Tacoma: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Pearl District in Portland & Stadium District in Tacoma are both known for their revitalized artsy district with condos & galleries
• Portland's Alberta Arts District neighborhood & Tacoma's Proctor District both share local shops & community art murals
• If you're moving from Hawthorne, check out Old Town in the Tacoma area for the bohemian vibe with vintage shops & cafes
• Do you enjoy Sellwood-Moreland's family-friendly area with parks & historic homes? You're sure to love West End
• Move from Nob Hill to North Slope and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: historic homes & boutique cafes
• Laurelhurst & Ruston are both known for their waterfront living with upscale homes
• Portland's Division/Clinton neighborhood & Tacoma's South Tacoma neighborhood both have a growing dining scene & diverse community
• If you're moving from Buckman, look into Stadium District for the industrial-chic breweries & loft apartments
• Do you cherish living in Richmond's quiet residential area with parks? Move into Eastside for something similar
• The similar vibes of St. Johns & University Place are both known for a small-town feel with waterfront parks

Pros and Cons of Moving from Portland to Tacoma

ConsPortland, OR

• Higher living costs
• More crowded
• Intensive nightlife
• Less waterfront access

ProsTacoma, WA

• More affordable housing
• Less congested
• Calmer evenings
• More waterfronts

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Tacoma, WA

• Industrial scenery
• Smaller art community
• Less diverse cuisine
• More car dependency

Portland, OR

• Lush green landscapes
• Vibrant arts scene
• Eclectic food options
• Better public transit

Pros of moving from Portland to Tacoma

• Say goodbye to higher living costs and hello to more affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from more crowded conditions and moving to Tacoma with less congestion
• Swap the intensive nightlife of Portland for calmer evenings in Tacoma
• Get ready for more waterfronts in Tacoma

Cons of moving from Portland to Tacoma

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lush green landscapes in Portland to live with industrial scenery in Tacoma
• You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant arts scene and have to settle with the con of a smaller art community
• Time to bid farewell to eclectic food options and get used to less diverse cuisine in Tacoma
• Swap better public transit for more car dependency

Portland vs. Tacoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Portland to Tacoma, you will be trading the iconic Doughnuts of Portland for the equally delicious Dungeness Crab of Tacoma. And while the locals in Portland rave about their flavorful Pork Belly and sumptuous Voodoo Doughnut, Tacoma residents know they have tasty Salmon and Tacoma Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Ramen they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Tempeh of Tacoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Portland eateries like Pok Pok, Ox, and Le Pigeon. After the boxes are unpacked in Tacoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Tacoma's acclaimed eateries like The Table, Indochine Asian Dining Lounge, and MSPS Cafe & Deli.

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

Discover Tacoma Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Tacoma 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 Le Pigeon, Pok Pok, and Screen Door in Portland, we're sure you'll love Over The Moon Cafe, Infinite Soups, and Southern Kitchen in Tacoma. See our Tacoma restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Portland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Tusk, head to En Rama on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Portland and Tacoma

• The Craftsman and Old Portland architecture that Portland is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Tudor architecture typical of Tacoma.
• Compared to Portland's real estate listings that commonly reference energy efficiency and proximity to amenities, Tacoma real estate listings often highlight features like views and historic charm.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Tacoma is less walkable than Portland.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike as Tacoma is less bike-friendly than Portland.
• Tacoma has less of an urban feel than Portland.
• Tacoma housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Portland with a median home price of $485,018 compared to Portland’s $539,524.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tacoma have increased by 52% compared to a 19% increase in Portland.
• Rent in Tacoma is 1.20% more affordable than in Portland.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Tacoma, WA

1. Proctor District : You'll love the welcoming atmosphere here, with its walkable streets and access to parks that make it perfect for leisurely strolls with your pet.
2. North End : This area offers an abundance of green spaces and dog-friendly eateries, ensuring that both you and your furry friends can enjoy the neighborhood's lively yet laid-back vibe.
3. Old Town : Known for its picturesque waterfront views and pet-friendly community events, you can enjoy exploring this charming neighborhood with your pets by your side.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Portland and Tacoma

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Portland to Tacoma. Tacoma gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Portland.
• Tacoma has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Portland.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and floods in Portland, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and floods in Tacoma.
• The average summer high temperature in Tacoma is 3 degrees colder than in Portland.
• The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Portland.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tacoma as it receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Portland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Portland and Tacoma

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tacoma tend to earn about 2% less than in Portland
• The COLI in Tacoma will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Portland
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Tacoma is moderate compared to moderately affluent in Portland
• The poverty level is higher in Tacoma compared to moderate in Portland
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Portland and substantial in Tacoma

Political and Religious Climate in Portland vs. Tacoma

• Portland tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
• Tacoma, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Liberal
• Tacoma's religious environment can be described as diverse with notable <a href="https://www.plu.edu/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Pacific Lutheran University</a> influence
• Portland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with <a href="https://www.uua.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Unitarian Universalist</a> presence

Portland vs. Tacoma Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 8% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Tacoma compared to your Portland commute. That's 1040 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Tacoma to be better than it is in Portland.
• Public transit is less readily available in Tacoma.