Best Tacoma to Portland Movers

How Much Do Tacoma to Portland Movers Cost?

Moving 143 miles from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR 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 Portland that already have a booked job heading from Portland to Tacoma. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Portland from Tacoma 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 Tacoma to Portland moving option

Hire local Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

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

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

Punctuality

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

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

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

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

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

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

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

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

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

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

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

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

Will Hire Again

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

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

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

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

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

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

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

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

From Tacoma to Portland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Stadium District in Tacoma & Hawthorne in Portland are both known for their lively main drag with bars & eateries
• Tacoma's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood & Portland's Old Town Chinatown both share waterfront dining & nightlife
• If you're moving from Downtown, check out Pearl District in the Portland area for revitalized warehouses as art galleries & cafes
• Do you enjoy Proctor District's community market & local shops? You're sure to love Montavilla
• Move from North Tacoma to Laurelhurst and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities of tree-lined streets & historic homes
• Point Ruston & South Waterfront are both known for their waterfront parks & condo developments
• Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood & Portland's Alberta Arts District neighborhood both have arts murals & creative businesses
• If you're moving from South Tacoma, look into Lents for affordable housing & community gardens

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tacoma to Portland

ConsTacoma, WA

• Higher crime rates
• Less bike-friendly
• Fewer green spaces
• Smaller arts scene
• Higher cost of living

ProsPortland, OR

• Lower crime rates
• More bike-friendly
• More parks and gardens
• Larger arts community
• More affordable housing

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Portland, OR

• More crowded
• Higher traffic congestion
• Farther from major cities
• Less community engagement
• Higher state income tax

Tacoma, WA

• Vibrant local culture
• Breathtaking waterfront views
• Proximity to Seattle
• Strong community feel
• Lower sales tax

Pros of moving from Tacoma to Portland

• Say goodbye to higher crime rates and hello to lower crime rates
• Look forward to moving away from less bike-friendly and moving to Portland with more bike-friendly options
• Swap the fewer green spaces of Tacoma for more parks and gardens in Portland
• Get ready for a larger arts community in Portland

Cons of moving from Tacoma to Portland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant local culture in Tacoma to live with more crowding in Portland
• You'll lose out on the pro of breathtaking waterfront views and have to settle for the con of higher traffic congestion
• Time to bid farewell to proximity to Seattle and get used to being farther from major cities in Portland
• Swap the strong community feel for less community engagement

Tacoma vs. Portland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Tacoma to Portland, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Tacoma for the equally delicious Voodoo Doughnut of Portland. And while the locals in Tacoma rave about their flavorful Philly Cheesesteak and sumptuous Tacos, Portland residents know they have tasty Pork Belly Cubano and Food Carts Fare to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Pho they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Portland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tacoma eateries like En Rama, Over the Rainbow Tea Bar, and Ms. Choy's. After the boxes are unpacked in Portland, don't wait too long before making your way to Portland's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Salt and Straw, and Screen Door.

When comparing lifestyles, Portland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tacoma. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Portland compared to what you are used to in Tacoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is more 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 Tacoma favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Indochine Asian Dining Lounge, Moshy's, and The Table in Tacoma, we're sure you'll love Departure Restaurant + Lounge, Lardo, and Tusk in Portland. See our Portland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Tacoma hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Marzano's, head to Nostrana on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tacoma and Portland

• The Craftsman architecture that Tacoma is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Craftsman architecture typical of Portland.
• Compared to Tacoma's real estate listings that commonly reference views of Mount Rainier and large yards, Portland real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly elements and proximity to parks.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Portland is more walkable than Tacoma.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Portland is more bike-friendly than Tacoma.
• Portland has more of an urban feel than Tacoma.
• Portland housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Tacoma, with a median home price of $539,524 compared to Tacoma’s $485,018.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Portland have increased 19% compared to a 52% increase in Tacoma.
• Rent in Portland is 1.22% more expensive than in Tacoma.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Portland, OR

1. Pearl District: You'll find numerous pet-friendly parks, boutique pet shops, and restaurants with patios that welcome your furry friends.
2. Sellwood-Moreland: This neighborhood is home to expansive parks and trails, making it perfect for your dog's outdoor adventures.
3. Northwest District: You'll enjoy the nearby Forest Park and a variety of pet-centric businesses catering to your pet's needs.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tacoma to Portland. Portland gets 2% more sunshine days than Tacoma.
• Portland has similar humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Tacoma.
• Say goodbye to the possible rain, snow, and earthquakes in Tacoma, but be on the lookout for potential rain, snow, and earthquakes in Portland.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Portland is 4 degrees warmer than in Tacoma.
• The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Tacoma.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Portland. Portland receives 3.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Tacoma.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tacoma and Portland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Portland tend to earn about 2% more than those in Tacoma
• The COLI in Portland is 2% higher than what you are used to living in Tacoma
• Bummer... By moving from WA to OR, you'll now have a state income tax of 9.9
• The affluence in Portland is high compared to moderate affluence in Tacoma
• The poverty level is low in Portland compared to moderate poverty in Tacoma
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Tacoma and very high in Portland

Political and Religious Climate in Tacoma vs. Portland

• Tacoma tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Portland, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Portland's religious environment can be described as primarily Non-religious and diverse beliefs
• Tacoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a variety, including Christian and Non-religious

Tacoma vs. Portland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 14% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Portland compared to your Tacoma daily drive. That's an annual savings of 2,080 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Portland to be worse than it is in Tacoma.
• Public transit is more readily available in Portland.