Moving from Seattle, WA, to Los Angeles, CA

Moving to a much larger city 

Relocating just over 1,000 miles from Seattle to Los Angeles is the start of an exciting journey to life in a much larger city with a faster-paced lifestyle.

LA is the second-largest city in the U.S., with 3.9 million residents, compared to Seattle's 737,000. Seattle’s metro is just over 4 million people, but the Los Angeles metro is more than four times larger, with just under 13 million.

Keep reading to learn what else to expect in the “City of Angels.”

Get ready for a milder climate

Overall, LA’s climate is milder than Seattle’s, with year-round temperatures ranging from 46 to 84 degrees, compared to a range of 37 to 76 in Seattle.

Along with the warmer weather comes more sunshine. Los Angeles averages 284 sunny days annually, compared to 152 in Seattle, making it an ideal location for enjoying California's beaches.

Rainfall averages only 16 inches in LA, considerably less than Seattle's average of 38 inches. And while Seattle averages 5 inches of snow annually, snowfall is rare in Los Angeles.

Finding fun in LA

LA is more than just swimming pools and movie stars (though you’ll find those in abundance!). There are multiple activities in the city, no matter your interests. Plus, Disneyland is only a short drive away in Anaheim.

Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios Hollywood for a taste of the magic. For coastal fun, enjoy the Malibu beaches or the excitement of Santa Monica Pier.

For a change of pace, go to Griffith Park & Observatory with views of the Hollywood sign, or visit the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum. 

Making a living in Los Angeles

The cost of living is slightly higher in Los Angeles than in Seattle. Plus, unlike Washington State, California has a state income tax that’s known to be among the highest in the country. 

Fortunately, the job market offers numerous opportunities, particularly in healthcare, government, technical services, aerospace and the entertainment industry. The following are among the largest employers in LA:

  • The city and county of Los Angeles
  • The Los Angeles Unified School District
  • UCLA and USC
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Northrop Grumman Corporation
  • The Target Corporation

Make the move to LA with U-Pack

Choose U-Pack® for a stress-free move from Seattle to Los Angeles. We have service center locations nationwide, ready to assist you. Just handle packing, loading and unloading, then we’ll take care of transporting your things from Washington State to California. 

Get a free moving quote today and see your price instantly, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 if you’d prefer to speak to a moving consultant.