Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Seattle, WA

Heading to Seattle from the Gateway to the West 

St. Louis, MO, is often called the “Gateway to the West,” a nickname coined in the pioneer days when Americans began migrating west. Back then, traveling over 2,000 miles northwest to Seattle would have taken about 6 months. Fortunately, the drive now is only around 31 hours — easily doable in a few days, or you can fly there in a matter of hours. While it’s still quite a trek, you have a lot of things to look forward to when moving to “The Emerald City.” 

Opportunities in the Emerald City 

Seattle’s city population of around 737,000 is more than twice as large as St. Louis, which had nearly 302,000 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. The metro area is also more populated in Seattle, with over 4 million people, compared to 2.8 million in St. Louis. The new environment will feel a bit more crowded with the increased population density, but it will also offer more opportunities — especially in technology jobs.  

The city is home to major companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Zillow, which employ many residents. There are also ample job prospects in the shipping and fishing industries thanks to Seattle’s location on the Pacific Coast. 

Curious about rainy Seattle life?

Although one of Seattle’s nicknames is “Rain City,” since it rains about 150 days each year, you might be surprised to learn it gets less annual precipitation than St. Louis. Seattle averages around 38 inches of rain and 5 inches of snow each year compared to 42 inches of rain and 16 inches of snow annually in St. Louis. Seattle has milder temperatures year-round, typically between 37 and 76 degrees. St. Louis has a wider range of temperatures from 23 to 89 degrees.  

The temperate weather makes Seattle a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the city’s beaches, forests,  lakes and parks for biking, hiking, kayaking, sailing and more! 

Don’t miss these Seattle tourist attractions 

Even after you’re an established Seattleite, you can still enjoy all the city's tourist attractions. Enjoy beauty and culture at Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture. History buffs won’t want to miss the Museum of History & Industry and The Museum of Flight. Do you love animals? Be sure to visit the Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo. 

For the best views of the city, check out Seattle Great Wheel and the famous Space Needle. Satisfy your shopping needs at Pike Place Market, where you’re sure to find something unique and some great food too! 

U-Pack can help you move to Seattle

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers and more than 25 years of experience. With locations near St. Louis and Seattle, we’re ready to help with your long-distance move. We’re a DIY-moving service where you handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we move your belongings. Get a free online quote today, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.