Nearly 8 million people live in Washington—and many moved there recently. International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company in Washington State. Its greatest strengths include transparent pricing, steep discounts, and excellent packing services. There are other choices if you’re looking for local movers, hourly packing experts, or storage. We’ve compiled a list of Washington’s best movers, from Seattle and Spokane to Tacoma and Tumwater.
Are you moving to Seattle, WA?
The best Seattle moving companies include a local mover, truck rental franchise, and moving container service. One of our top picks has a nearly perfect customer review score.
Compare Washington moving companies
Moving company | Move type | Move.org rating | Cost | Learn more |
| Full-service (long distance) | 
| $$$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Full-service (local) | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Moving container | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Truck rental | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Hourly labor | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices |
Best Movers in Washington
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
Pros
Transparent pricing
Local and long-distance moving
15% car shipping discount
15% senior discount
30 days of free storage 
Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Annoying pop-up ads First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
Pros
Services most U.S. cities
Excellent customer reviews
In-home and virtual quotes
30 days of free storage
Remote video storage Cons
Out-of-date website PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Pros
Low prices
Multiple container sizes
Lots of storage options
Positive customer reviews
46-state availability Cons
Confusing prices Penske—Best moving truck company
Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.
Pros
Lowest moving prices
Local and long-distance rentals
Excellent customer reviews
Moving discounts
Reliable reservations Cons
No service in Alaska HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Pros
Professional contractors
Packing and loading services
4,750+ locations
50-state availability
Positive customer reviews Cons
High prices
Two-hour minimum Move.org's top pick
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers
They handle it all.
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
Containers
You load, they ship.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about moving in Washington
Population
Washington has a population of approximately 7.7 million. The state has a growth rate of roughly 0.4%, and the dominant ethnic groups are White, Latino, and African American. The average household comprises 2.6 people. More than 85% of the population lives in the same home as one year ago,1 and the median age is 38. Washington has a 63% homeownership rate (about 1% below the national average).2
Employment
The median income in Washington is approximately $77,010.1 The state added about 137,000 payroll jobs last year,3 and roughly 64% of the residents participate in the labor force.1 The state’s most robust industries are construction, food services, and education, while its highest-paying non-medical occupations are broadcasting, internet publishing, and data processing. The state’s wealthiest counties are King County, Snohomish County, and Kitsap County, while the poorest regions include Ferry County and Whitman County.2
How do I make packing easier?
A few simple packing tips can ease your stress when moving. For example, you can save time by decluttering, purchasing packing supplies, and using an inventory system.
Cost of living
Washington is one of the most affordable states in the nation. While it has relatively high healthcare and transportation costs, the Evergreen State has especially affordable grocery and utility costs.4 Our analysis of Washington utility bills shows that the average household pays roughly $380 monthly, including spending on gas, electricity, water, and sewage. Residents also pay about $60 monthly for broadband internet and $110 for phone services.
Politics
Washington is a blue state. About 44% of the state identifies as Republican, while only 33% favor the Democratic Party.5 The partisanship is even more apparent during federal elections. For example, 58% of Washingtonians voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, compared to 39% for Donald Trump. The state’s most Democratic areas are King County and San Juan County, while the reddest regions include Lincoln County and Garfield County.2
Best Washington movers FAQ
What is the best moving company in Washington?
International Van Lines is the best moving company in Washington State. The moving service specializes in long-distance moving (including corporate relocation).
How much are movers in Washington State?
Professional movers in Washington State typically cost thousands of dollars. Moving prices vary based on home size, move distance, and time of year.
What type of moving company is right for you?
The best type of moving company depends on what you care about the most. For example, professional movers do all the work but cost the most. On the other hand, the cheapest moving truck companies are inexpensive, but you put in the effort.
What’s the right moving truck size?
The right moving truck size for your local move or long-distance moves depends on how much stuff you have. For example, you want a 10- to 16-foot moving truck for a one-room apartment, while a five-room house calls for a 22- to 26-foot option.
When is the cheapest time to move?
The cheapest time to move is when demand is lowest. For example, you can save money by moving with one of the best moving container companies during the winter and spring.
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Recommended resources
People also asked . . .
Sources
- United States Census Bureau. “Quick Facts: Washington.” Accessed October 17, 2022.
- Deloitte. “Data USA: Washington.” Accessed October 17, 2022.
- United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022. “Washington Employment Report.” Accessed October 17, 2022.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. “Cost of Living Data Series.” Accessed October 17, 2022.
- Pew Research Center. “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation among Adults in Washington.” Accessed October 17, 2022.
