Have you recently weighed the pros and cons of Portland vs. Seattle and decided that Seattle is a better fit for you? Although both of these cities are in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll need to understand everything that is involved with moving from Portland to Seattle. Additionally, you’ll need the best Portland to Seattle movers by your side to help you along the way. Here’s everything you need to know about moving from Portland to Seattle, including moving costs and how to find the best long distance movers to assist you.
What Moving to Seattle Is Like
Before moving to this Pacific Northwest city, you’ll need to know a little more about it. Seattle is a seaport city situated in King County, Washington. It is the most populous city in the state of Washington as well as the Pacific Northwest region. Nicknamed “Emerald City,” Seattle is known for its thriving job market, gorgeous outdoor attractions, and friendly citizens. From the famous Pike Place Market to the futuristic Space Needle, there’s always something to do in this gorgeous city.
Benefits of Moving From Portland to Seattle
Although these two Pacific Northwest cities are fairly close together, you’ll find many differences between them.
Demographics
Portland Demographics:
- Population: 652,503
- Sex ratio: 50.2% female, 49.8% male
- Median age: 38.3
- Educational attainment: 93.4% high school degree (or higher)
- Racial & ethnic composition: 72.1% White (68.3% non-Hispanic), 9.2% two or more races, 8.5% Asian, 5.9% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian, 0.6% Native Hawaiian
- Foreign-born population: 12.6%
Seattle Demographics:
- Population: 737,015
- Sex ratio: 51.1% male, 48.9% female
- Median age: 35.4
- Educational attainment: 95.6% high school degree (or higher), 66.7% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Racial & ethnic composition: 63.6% White (61.2% non-Hispanic), 16.8% Asian, 9.4% two or more races, 6.7% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian
- Foreign-born population: 19.8%
Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in these two Pacific Northwest cities? The cost of living in Seattle is higher than the cost of living in Portland. The Cost of Living Index in Seattle is 158.1, making it 58.1% more expensive than the national average of 100. The Cost of Living Index in Portland is 127.7, making it 27.7% more expensive than the national average and 30.4% more affordable than in Seattle.
Median Home Price
Home prices are one of the most significant costs you’ll encounter when moving to the city. According to Redfin, the median home price in Seattle is $877,000, which is well above the Portland average of $505,000. Although these prices are on the higher end, some areas of Seattle are more affordable than others. Living downtown near places like Pike Place Market will likely be more expensive than living outside of the city in one of Seattle’s suburbs. Therefore, you can adjust your location to fit your budget.
Weather
The weather in Portland and Seattle is fairly similar, although it is typically hotter in Portland. The average summer temperature in Portland is 83ºF, while the average summer temperature in Seattle is 77ºF. Despite Seattle’s reputation for being a gloomy city, it is actually sunnier than Portland! Portland averages 144 sunny days per year, while Seattle averages 152 sunny days per year.
Things to Do
After moving from Portland to Seattle, you’ll find several fun things to do. Art and culture lovers will enjoy the Museum of Pop Culture as well as the Seattle Art Museum. Pike Place Market, with its bustling vendors and famous fish toss, is a must-visit for anyone living in the city. Additionally, Downtown Seattle is full of incredible entertainment options and is famous for its live music scene.
If you are looking to become one with nature, then Discovery Park offers serene walking trails and beautiful views of Puget Sound. The city is also just a short drive away from iconic places like Mt Rainier and Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Schools and Education
Curious about life as a student after moving from Portland to Seattle? Although Portland has several great education options, the city of Seattle is known for its amazing educational institutions. Most of the students in Seattle are served by Seattle Public Schools, which is the largest public school system in the state of Washington.
There are also several higher education options in Seattle, such as the University of Washington, Seattle University, and Seattle Pacific University.
Economy
What is the difference between the economy in Portland and the economy in Seattle? The median household income in Seattle is $116,068, which is higher than both the Portland average of $85,876 and the United States average of $75,149. Seattle has the 11th largest metropolitan economy in the United States and is home to some of the most recognizable companies in the world, such as Boeing, Amazon, and Starbucks.
Portland to Seattle Movers
When moving from Portland to Seattle, you’ll want to hire a great team of long distance movers to assist you. Portland to Seattle movers will help you plan your move between the two cities, allowing you to focus on spending time with friends and family before your trip up north. These are just a few benefits you can expect when hiring a Portland OR to Seattle WA moving company.
- Heavy lifting is done for you
- Extra services like packing and storage
- A personal move coordinator to help plan your route
- Boxes, tape, and other professional packing materials
- Transportation of belongings to your new home site
- Unloading boxes, furniture, and other belongings at your new home site
- Furniture assembly and disassembly (if requested)
- Moving appliances (disconnecting/connecting not included)
Hiring a Portland to Seattle moving company will help to make your move within the Pacific Northwest a breeze. You won’t need to worry about extra moving costs such as packing or storage, as your Portland to Seattle movers will handle everything. Additionally, you will reduce your risk of injury by allowing your Portland to Seattle long distance movers to handle all of the heavy lifting. Nothing is expected from you– so sit back and relax while we take care of everything!
Why PDX Movers Is Your Best Portland OR to Seattle WA Moving Company Choice
There are hundreds of moving companies out there, but not all of them can meet all of your relocation needs. In addition to moving costs and other prices, there are a few things you should consider when hiring movers in the Pacific Northwest.
- Check the company’s Yelp and Google reviews
- Is the company experienced with moving from Portland to Seattle?
- Take a look at their trust stats, such as the number of moves they have completed and their claims rate
- How many years have they been in business?
- Are they familiar with both Washington and Oregon?
- Ensure that they are licensed and insured
- Make sure your movers have the proper equipment to handle your relocation
- Assess their level of customer service
When searching for moving companies, make sure you consider these points. PDX Movers is happy to provide you with all of this information. As the best Portland OR to Seattle WA moving company, we will get you settled into your new home in the Pacific Northwest in no time. We are experienced in moving from Portland to Seattle, and we know the route like the back of our hands. Customer service is our top priority, and we are proud of our 700+ 5-star reviews on Google. Additionally, our Portland to Seattle movers are expertly trained to handle long distance moves and are ready to make your moving experience a great one!
Portland to Seattle Moving Cost
How much do Portland OR to Seattle WA moving companies cost? The final cost of moving from Portland to Seattle depends on several factors. What you pay in the end will depend on variables such as the volume of your belongings, the route traveled, the distance traveled, services requested, the time of year, and how many crew members are needed.
According to the site Moving.com, the average cost that moving companies charge for a relocation from Portland to Seattle is between $3,167 and $4,337. As you can see, moving costs can vary greatly. To get an accurate estimate of your moving costs, you’ll want to contact a Portland to Seattle moving company directly and request a free quote. PDX Movers is always happy to discuss costs with you and provide you with a free estimate.
Portland to Seattle Distances & Travel Information
Once you have chosen a Portland to Seattle moving company and your belongings are en route, you’ll need to decide how you will get to your new home. Both of these cities are in the Pacific Northwest, and there are a few transportation options to consider.
Ultimately, it is about 174 miles from Portland OR to Seattle WA. By car, it will take you about 2 hours and 44 minutes to complete the route. If cars are not an option, you could also opt to take the Amtrak Cascades train, which offers 12 daily trains from Portland to Seattle and takes about 3.5 hours. The cost of a ticket is around $40. If you prefer to travel in business class, the cost goes up to $90. If you wish to fly between these Pacific Northwest cities, then there are nonstop flights offered by several airlines. The cost of these flights from Portland to Seattle varies, and the flight time is just under one hour.
Does moving from Portland to Seattle sound great to you? The Emerald City is a great place to settle down, and our Portland to Seattle long distance movers are ready to provide you with the best services at an affordable price. PDX Movers has the friendliest crew and the best prices around. Our moving company in Portland, OR can even assist you if you’d like to relocate the other way around and move from Seattle to Portland! For more information on our moving costs and moving services, get in touch with our Portland long distance movers at 503-746-8795.
