Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Jan, 04 2026
Moving from Portland to Seattle
If you are moving from Portland to Seattle, you need to hire a tremendous long-distance moving company or office movers in case you need to move your business. Considering Seattle is 173 miles from Portland, you need to be prepared to hire a good company that knows how to handle the responsibility.
The Cost of Moving from Portland to Seattle
The Cost of moving to Seattle from Portland people generally have to spend between $1690 and $4830 to move from Portland to Seattle. You may even have to spend more depending on the movers you hire. All interstate movers are different, so your price will depend on that. Moreover, the price is also affected by other factors like the date you move, how many trucks you need, how big the shipping container has to be, and whether you request additional services from them.
Why You May Want to Relocate from Portland to Seattle
Portland is a fantastic city, yet you may decide that moving from state to state and relocating to Seattle is a much better alternative. Below are some reasons why you may want to move from Portland to Seattle:
- More Job Opportunities
Seattle has more job opportunities than Portland, and that is because it is a bigger city. You can also find jobs in multiple fields. Of course, Portland also has some major companies, but Seattle beats them at this. You might also get paid more depending on your job.
- More Entertainment Opportunities
Compared to Portland, Seattle features more entertainment opportunities. The city is more vibrant, and you will always have somewhere to go or something to do. Seattle is a great option if this is what you’re looking for.
- No Income Tax
In Oregon, you must deal with an income tax of 10%. Meanwhile, there isn’t any state income tax in Washington. So, if you live in Seattle, you will get more of your income and even save money.
Tips for Hiring the Best Moving Company
If you don’t know what to look for in a great moving company, here are some tips to help you out:
- Request Referrals
Ask people you know for some recommendations. Do you have someone in your family or your friends' circle who moved not long ago? They are the best people to give you some advice in this situation. Not only can they advise you which company to try, but they can also tell you which movers to avoid.
- Look for Licensing
A moving firm that isn’t legit will have no license or feature a fake license to make it easier to attract customers. Before you hire any firm, you should look at whether they are licensed or not. Scammers can hide behind the title of local movers, cross-country movers, or interstate movers, and it’s crucial to avoid them.
- Don’t Pay a Large Deposit Upfront
Total deposits should only be made at the end of the moving process. While making a small deposit upfront is normal, paying the whole amount from the start is not indicated. You should not trust the firm if asked to do this.
Moving from Portland to Seattle is a stressful task. Three Movers provide moving services worldwide and have 20 years of experience. Contact us for more information; our customer care representative will answer all your questions and get the best moving service from Three Movers.
Recommended Article: Riverside to Seattle Movers
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving from Portland to Seattle typically costs $900 to $3,200 for a standard 1 to 3 bedroom home. This interstate move covers about 175 miles and pricing is driven by move size, 2–4 movers, packing needs, stairs or elevators, and parking access. Summer demand, I-5 traffic, and delivery windows also affect rates. Moves crossing state lines fall under FMCSA rules and pricing models. Learn more about options through an interstate moving service.
Most Portland to Seattle moves are completed within 1 day, with loading in the morning and same-day delivery. Larger homes or buildings with restricted loading hours may require 1–2 days. Timing depends on crew size, packing services, freight elevator schedules, and I-5 congestion near Tacoma and Olympia. Long-distance scheduling rules differ from local moves, especially for shared loads. See typical delivery timelines with a long distance moving service.
Yes. Moving from Portland to Seattle is an interstate move because it crosses from Oregon into Washington. Interstate moves are regulated by the FMCSA and priced by weight or volume rather than hourly rates. Factors include inventory size, mileage, fuel costs, and required insurance coverage. This classification impacts estimates, contracts, and delivery windows compared to local or intrastate moves.
Portland is generally 10–20 percent cheaper than Seattle for housing and daily expenses. Seattle has higher rent, home prices, and transportation costs, while Portland offers lower utilities and no state sales tax. Income levels and job markets differ, so relocation decisions often balance wages against housing and commuting costs when moving from Portland to Seattle.
The biggest cost drivers are home size (studio to 5BR), total shipment weight, number of movers, packing and unpacking needs, stairs or long carries, and special items like pianos. Seasonal demand, weather, and building rules also matter. Interstate pricing differs from hourly local rates, which many people expect when planning this route.
Yes. Full or partial packing is commonly added for this route and increases costs by $300–$1,200 depending on volume and materials. Packing affects loading time, crew size, and delivery scheduling, especially for fragile items. Using professional packing often reduces damage risk on interstate moves and simplifies timing. Packing options are explained under full service movers.
