Best Tacoma to Seattle Movers

How Much Do Tacoma to Seattle Movers Cost?

Moving 34 miles from Tacoma, WA to Seattle, 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 Seattle that already have a booked job heading from Seattle to Tacoma. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Seattle from Tacoma 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 Tacoma to Seattle 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 Seattle movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA to Seattle, WA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 122 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Tacoma and Seattle areas.

From these 122 companies, we analyzed a total of 27,201 reviews dating all the way back to February 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 24 state and federal moving licenses from these 122 companies and 493 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~27,000 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 7,616 Tacoma 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 All Ready Moving & Storage - Olympia Movers).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Tacoma 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.

8.50/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 16,263 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.19/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 6,366 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.81/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 3,541 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.61/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 6,535 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.58/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 2,380 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.73/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 8,186 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

8.96/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 9,230 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.26/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 16,285 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.32/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 9,241 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.29/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 1,558 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.20/10 avg (Tacoma & Seattle combined) from 8,263 reviews

From Tacoma to Seattle: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Stadium District in Tacoma & West Seattle in Seattle are both known for their waterfront parks & quiet residential
• Tacoma's Proctor District neighborhood & Seattle's Wallingford both share family-friendly, walkable shops
• If you're moving from Ruston Way, check out Magnolia in the Seattle area for the waterfront promenade & park access
• Do you enjoy Brewery District's craft breweries & lively dining scene? You're sure to love Ballard
• Move from Hilltop to Capitol Hill and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: urban vibe & nightlife options
• North Slope & Fremont are both known for their artsy feel & historic architecture
• Tacoma's Lincoln District neighborhood & Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood both have industrial-chic spaces & art studios
• If you're moving from South Tacoma, look into Columbia City for the diverse community & affordable housing
• Do you cherish living in UW Tacoma area's student-oriented & academic atmosphere? Move into University District for something similar
• The similar vibes of Downtown & Belltown are both known for their central business district & nightlife

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tacoma to Seattle

ConsTacoma, WA

• Smaller job market
• Lower cost of living
• Less traffic congestion
• Fewer cultural venues

ProsSeattle, WA

• Larger job market
• Higher cost of living
• More traffic congestion
• More cultural venues

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Seattle, WA

• More expensive housing
• Less community-oriented
• Longer commute times
• Fewer accessible outdoor activities

Tacoma, WA

• Less expensive housing
• More community-oriented
• Quicker commute times
• Accessible outdoor activities

Pros of moving from Tacoma to Seattle

• Say goodbye to smaller job market and hello to larger job market
• Look forward to moving away from lower cost of living and moving to Seattle with higher cost of living
• Swap the less traffic congestion of Tacoma for more traffic congestion in Seattle
• Get ready for more cultural venues in Seattle

Cons of moving from Tacoma to Seattle

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from less expensive housing in Tacoma to live with more expensive housing in Seattle
• You'll lose out on the pro of being more community-oriented and have to settle for the con of being less community-oriented
• Time to bid farewell to quicker commute times and get used to longer commute times in Seattle
• Swap accessible outdoor activities for fewer accessible outdoor activities

Tacoma vs. Seattle: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Tacoma to Seattle, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Tacoma for the equally delicious Salmon of Seattle. And while the locals in Tacoma rave about their flavorful Beef Brisket and sumptuous Taco Trucks, Seattle residents know they have tasty Pho and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Impossible Burger of Seattle. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tacoma eateries like Duke's Seafood, En Ricononni’s, and MS Deli. After the boxes are unpacked in Seattle, don't wait too long before making your way to Seattle's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Loulay, and Pike Place Chowder.

When comparing lifestyles, Seattle shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tacoma. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Seattle compared to what you are used to in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Indochine Asian Dining Lounge, Engine House No. 9, and The Table in Tacoma, we're sure you'll love Wild Ginger, Fremont Brewing, and Canlis in Seattle. See our Seattle restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Tacoma hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Doyle's Public House, head to Mulleady's Irish Pub on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tacoma and Seattle

• The Craftsman architecture that Tacoma is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Seattle.
• Compared to Tacoma's real estate listings that commonly reference views of Mt. Rainier and proximity to parks, Seattle real estate listings often highlight features like views of Puget Sound and eco-friendly features.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Seattle is more walkable than Tacoma.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Seattle is more bike-friendly than Tacoma.
• Seattle has more of an urban feel than Tacoma.
• Seattle housing costs are 81% more expensive than in Tacoma, with a median home price of $879,412 compared to Tacoma’s $485,018.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Seattle have increased 20% compared to a 52% increase in Tacoma.
• Rent in Seattle is 27.65% more expensive than in Tacoma.

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 Tacoma and Seattle

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tacoma to Seattle. Seattle gets 7% more sunshine days than Tacoma.
• Seattle has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Tacoma.
• Say goodbye to the possible floods and earthquakes in Tacoma, but be on the lookout for potential floods and earthquakes in Seattle.
• The average summer high temperature in Seattle is 1 degree warmer than in Tacoma.
• The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Tacoma.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Seattle. Seattle receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Tacoma.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tacoma and Seattle

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Political and Religious Climate in Tacoma vs. Seattle

• Tacoma tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Seattle, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Seattle's religious environment can be described as pluralistic, with strong non-religious and spiritual but not religious communities alongside traditional religions and spiritual centers
• Tacoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with Christian, Buddhist, and Islamic communities, local churches, mosques, and temples

Tacoma vs. Seattle Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 3% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Seattle compared to your daily drive in Tacoma. That's an annual savings of 520 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Seattle to be worse than it is in Tacoma.
• Public transit is more readily available in Seattle.