Best Seattle to Oakland Movers

How Much Do Seattle to Oakland Movers Cost?

Moving 802 miles from Seattle, WA to Oakland, CA 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 Oakland that already have a booked job heading from Oakland to Seattle. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Oakland from Seattle entirely empty. If you can find a Oakland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Seattle to Oakland moving option

Hire local Seattle 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 Oakland movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Seattle to Oakland 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 Seattle to Oakland 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 Seattle, WA to Oakland, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 35 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Seattle and Oakland 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 Seattle to Oakland 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 OCD Moving Services LLC).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Seattle to Oakland 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 (Seattle & Oakland combined) from 8,931 reviews

Punctuality

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

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

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

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

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

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

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

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

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

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

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

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

Will Hire Again

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

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

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

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

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

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

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

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

From Seattle to Oakland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Capitol Hill in Seattle & Uptown in Oakland are both known for their: arts venues & nightlife
• Seattle's Ballard neighborhood & Oakland's Temescal both share: breweries & farm-to-table restaurants
• If you're moving from Fremont, check out Temescal in the Oakland area for the: quirky shops & street art
• Do you enjoy Queen Anne's hillside views & historic homes? You're sure to love Montclair
• Move from Belltown to Jack London Square and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: waterfront restaurants & bars
• Wallingford & Grand Lake are both known for their: residential calm & local shops
• Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood & Oakland's Lake Merritt neighborhood both have: lakeside park & jogging loops
• If you're moving from Phinney Ridge, look into Rockridge for the: boutique cafes & neighborhood feel
• Do you cherish living in Beacon Hill's diverse communities & local eats? Move into Fruitvale for something similar
• The similar vibes of Columbia City & Fruitvale are both known for: multicultural arts & vibrant dining

Pros and Cons of Moving from Seattle to Oakland

ConsSeattle, WA

• Higher cost of living
• Frequent rain
• Less diverse cuisine
• Heavier traffic

ProsOakland, CA

• More affordable housing
• Sunnier days
• Rich culinary scene
• Easier commutes

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Oakland, CA

• Less greenery
• Fewer coffee shops
• Less tech opportunities
• Smaller music scene

Seattle, WA

• Abundant green spaces
• Strong coffee culture
• Tech job hub
• Vibrant music scene

Pros of moving from Seattle to Oakland

• Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from frequent rain and moving to Oakland with sunnier days
• Swap the less diverse cuisine of Seattle for the rich culinary scene in Oakland
• Get ready for easier commutes in Oakland

Cons of moving from Seattle to Oakland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the abundant green spaces in Seattle to live with less greenery in Oakland
• You'll lose out on the pro of a strong coffee culture and have to settle with the con of fewer coffee shops
• Time to bid farewell to the tech job hub and get used to fewer tech opportunities in Oakland
• Swap the vibrant music scene for a smaller music scene

Seattle vs. Oakland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Seattle to Oakland, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Seattle for the equally delicious Burrito of Oakland. And while the locals in Seattle rave about their flavorful Dungeness Crab and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Oakland residents know they have tasty BBQ Ribs and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Oakland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Seattle eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and The Raygun Lounge. After the boxes are unpacked in Oakland, don't wait too long before making your way to Oakland's acclaimed eateries like Brown Sugar Kitchen, Pizzaiolo, and Shakewell.

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

Discover Oakland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Oakland is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Seattle favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and The Pink Door in Seattle, we're sure you'll love Commis, Rockridge Improvement Club, and Duende in Oakland. See our Oakland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Seattle hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar, head to Osmanthus on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Seattle and Oakland

• The Contemporary and Craftsman architecture that Seattle is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Craftsman architecture typical of Oakland.
• Compared to Seattle's real estate listings that commonly reference views and eco-friendly features, Oakland real estate listings often highlight diversity and historic neighborhoods.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Oakland is more walkable than Seattle.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oakland is more bike-friendly than Seattle.
• Oakland has more of an urban feel than Seattle.
• Oakland housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Seattle, with a median home price of $803,291 compared to Seattle’s $879,412.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oakland have increased by 7% compared to a 20% increase in Seattle.
• Rent in Oakland is 13.53% more expensive than in Seattle.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Oakland, CA

1. Rockridge : You’ll love the abundance of pet-friendly cafes and the scenic trails at nearby Lake Temescal for your daily walks.
2. Grand Lake : This vibrant neighborhood offers easy access to pet-welcoming parks and local markets where you can bring your furry friends.
3. Piedmont Avenue : Enjoy a welcoming community with plenty of pet-friendly establishments and beautiful tree-lined streets for leisurely strolls.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Seattle to Oakland. Oakland gets 71% more sunshine days than Seattle.
• Oakland has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Seattle.
• Say goodbye to the possible rain and floods in Seattle, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oakland.
• The average summer high temperature in Oakland is 2 degrees colder than in Seattle.
• The average winter lows in Oakland are 6 degrees warmer than those in Seattle.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Oakland, as it receives 13.8 fewer inches of rain compared to Seattle.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Seattle and Oakland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oakland tend to earn about 26% less than in Seattle
• The COLI in Oakland will be 15% higher than what you are used to living in Seattle
• Bummer... By moving from WA to CA, you'll now have a state income tax of 13.3% (max rate)
• The affluence in Oakland is moderate compared to moderately high in Seattle
• The poverty level is high in Oakland compared to moderate in Seattle
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Seattle and very high in Oakland

Political and Religious Climate in Seattle vs. Oakland

• Seattle tends to lean Liberal / Progressive in its political climate
• Oakland, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal / Progressive
• Oakland's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape
• Seattle's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less Religiously Affiliated

Seattle vs. Oakland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 11% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Oakland compared to your Seattle commute. That's 1560 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Oakland to be better than it is in Seattle.
• Public transit is more readily available in Oakland.