Moving from Seattle, WA, to San Francisco, CA

Making a home in a bigger city

Moving 800 miles from Seattle to San Francisco takes you to a culturally rich city on the West Coast.

San Francisco has around 874,000 residents, compared to Seattle's 737,000. Seattle’s metro area is just over 4 million people, but the San Francisco metro area is slightly larger, at 4.6 million.

Keep reading to learn more about life in San Francisco.

Prepare for a milder climate, and watch out for “Karl the Fog”

San Francisco has a mild climate year-round, with average temperatures ranging from 46 to 76 degrees, compared to a range of 37 to 76 in Seattle.

Dense fog covers the city so often that residents have given it a name. “Karl the Fog” is especially prominent during summer mornings and evenings. 

Rainfall averages only 25 inches in San Francisco, less than Seattle's average of 38 inches. And while Seattle averages 5 inches of snow annually, measurable snowfall is rare in San Francisco.

Can’t-miss attractions in San Francisco

Culturally diverse San Francisco truly has something for everyone. From arts to parks, you’ll find beautiful and interesting sites for sightseeing.

Here are a few places to check out:

  • Alcatraz Island
  • Baker Beach
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Exploratorium
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
  • Golden Gate Bridge & Park
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
  • Twin Peaks

The San Francisco job market

The cost of living is slightly higher in San Francisco than in Seattle. Plus, unlike Washington State, which has no income taxes, California’s state income tax is one of the highest in the country. 

San Francisco is a major tech hub, offering numerous opportunities in information technology and tech-related careers. Other key fields include science, finance, healthcare, education, trade and hospitality.

Salesforce Inc., United Airlines, Sutter Health, Wells Fargo, the University of California-San Francisco and the City and County of San Francisco are among the area’s largest employers.

U-Pack can help you move to San Francisco

Choose U-Pack® for a stress-free move from Seattle to San Francisco. 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.