Best Seattle to Portland Movers

How Much Do Seattle to Portland Movers Cost?

Moving 3,041 miles from Seattle, WA to Portland, ME 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 Portland that already have a booked job heading from Portland to Seattle. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Portland from Seattle entirely empty. If you can find a Portland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 36 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Seattle and Portland 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 Seattle to Portland 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 Seattle to Portland 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 (Seattle & Portland combined) from 8,199 reviews

Punctuality

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

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

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

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

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

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

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

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

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

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

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

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

Will Hire Again

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

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

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

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

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

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

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

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

From Seattle to Portland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Capitol Hill in Seattle & East End in Portland are both known for their vibrant nightlife & arts scene
• Seattle's Ballard neighborhood & Portland's Bayside both share waterfront redevelopment & brewpubs
• If you're moving from Fremont, check out Old Port in the Portland area for the historic district with quirky shops & galleries
• Do you enjoy Queen Anne's historic residential areas with scenic viewpoints? You're sure to love West End
• Move from South Lake Union to Bayside and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: tech & residential redevelopment
• Belltown & East End are both known for their nightlife & urban density
• Seattle's West Seattle neighborhood & Portland's North Deering neighborhood both have a family-friendly suburban feel
• If you're moving from Greenwood, look into Deering Center for a community-focused residential area
• Do you cherish living in Beacon Hill's residential hillside community? Move into Rosemont for something similar
• The similar vibes of Phinney Ridge & Munjoy Hill are both known for hilltop residential areas with cafes & parks

Pros and Cons of Moving from Seattle to Portland

ConsSeattle, WA

• Overcast skies
• High cost of living
• Traffic congestion
• Earthquake risks

ProsPortland, ME

• More sunny days
• More affordable housing
• Simpler commutes
• Lower natural disaster likelihood

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Portland, ME

• Less tech job opportunities
• Fewer restaurant choices
• Fewer hiking options
• Limited entertainment

Seattle, WA

• Vibrant tech scene
• Diverse culinary options
• Proximity to mountains
• Rich cultural attractions

Pros of moving from Seattle to Portland

• Say goodbye to overcast skies and hello to more sunny days
• Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Portland with more affordable housing
• Swap the traffic congestion of Seattle for simpler commutes in Portland
• Get ready for a lower natural disaster likelihood in Portland

Cons of moving from Seattle to Portland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant tech scene in Seattle to live with fewer tech job opportunities in Portland
• You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culinary options and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurant choices
• Time to bid farewell to proximity to mountains and get used to fewer hiking options in Portland
• Swap rich cultural attractions for limited entertainment

Seattle vs. Portland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Seattle to Portland, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Seattle for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Portland. And while the locals in Seattle rave about their flavorful Smoked Salmon and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Portland residents know they have tasty Lobster and Clam Chowder to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Tofu they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Stuffed Peppers of Portland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Seattle eateries like Canlis, Ray's Boathouse, and The Walrus and the Carpenter. After the boxes are unpacked in Portland, don't wait too long before making your way to Portland's acclaimed eateries like Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Duckfat.

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

Discover Portland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Portland 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 Toulouse Petit in Seattle, we're sure you'll love Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Central Provisions in Portland. See our Portland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Seattle hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at The Walrus and the Carpenter, head to Scales for your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Seattle and Portland

• The Craftsman architecture that Seattle is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Portland.
• Compared to Seattle's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and smart homes, Portland real estate listings often highlight features like rustic charm and oceanfront properties.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as Portland is less walkable than Seattle.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Portland is less bike-friendly than Seattle.
• Portland has less of an urban feel than Seattle.
• Portland housing costs are 38% less expensive than those in Seattle, with a median home price of $548,318 compared to Seattle’s $879,412.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Portland have increased by 64% compared to a 20% increase in Seattle.
• Rent in Portland is 2.09% more expensive than in Seattle.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Portland, ME

1. East End: You and your pet will love the scenic Eastern Promenade with its expansive green space and off-leash hours, perfect for dog walking and socializing.
2. West End: This charming neighborhood offers pet-friendly parks and trails, as well as a welcoming atmosphere for pet owners with its dog-friendly cafes and shops.
3. Munjoy Hill: Known for its walkability and proximity to pet-friendly parks, you’ll find plenty of places to explore with your furry companion near the waterfront.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Seattle to Portland. Portland gets 34% more sunshine days than Seattle.
• Portland has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Seattle.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes in Seattle and be on the lookout for potential nor'easters in Portland.
• The average summer high temperature in Portland is 3 degrees warmer than in Seattle.
• The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Seattle.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Portland, as it receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Seattle.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Seattle and Portland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Portland tend to earn about 37% less than in Seattle
• The COLI in Portland is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Seattle
• Bummer... By moving from WA to ME, you'll now have a state income tax of 5%
• The affluence in Portland is moderate compared to high affluence in Seattle
• The poverty level is low in Portland compared to moderate poverty in Seattle
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Seattle and low in Portland

Political and Religious Climate in Seattle vs. Portland

• Seattle tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
• Portland, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal
• Portland's religious environment can be described as less religious
• Seattle's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious

Seattle vs. Portland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 15% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Portland compared to your Seattle daily drive. That's an annual savings of 2,080 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Portland to be better than it is in Seattle.
• Public transit is more readily available in Portland.