What awaits as you leave the Federal City for the Emerald City?

Seattle is one of the fastest-growing large cities in the U.S. The site of the Space Needle, the home of Starbucks and Pike Place Market, and the birthplace of grunge rock continually attracts new residents with its tech-centered economy, progressive ideals and breathtaking natural beauty.

If you’re planning a move to Seattle from Washington, D.C., read on to learn about how the two cities compare, what to expect, and why U-Pack® is the most efficient and affordable way to complete a long-distance relocation.

Find more breathing room in the Pacific Northwest

Seattle has more than 753,000 residents with a metro population of nearly 3.5 million. Though our nation’s capital has similar population numbers, Seattle is larger in land mass (nearly 84 square miles compared to 68 in D.C.) and less compacted. That means “getting away from it all” when the mood strikes is much easier to do in Seattle.

Career opportunities in Washington, D.C. vs. Seattle

If you work in aerospace, education, information technology, logistics or tourism in D.C., Seattle should be a great fit. Amazon is Seattle’s largest employer with more than 45,000 employees. The Port of Seattle is a major trade hub with Asia and Canada and serves as a departure point for cruises to Alaska.

If education awaits, you’ll have plenty of options

Like Washington, D.C., Seattle places a strong emphasis on education and has been called one of the most educated cities in the U.S. The University of Washington is a major public university with more than 46,000 students while Seattle Community College operates four campuses with an additional 50,000 students. Specialized education is available in fine arts, culinary arts, game design and computer sciences.

Moving with kids? Nearly 70,000 students combined attend Seattle Public Schools and over 100 private schools.

It’s generally cheaper to live in Seattle than in D.C.

With Washington, D.C. ranked among the most expensive cities in the country, you’ll find some relief in Seattle. Housing is more affordable and Washington has no state income tax, but those benefits are countered by higher-than-average sales tax, property taxes, health care costs and vehicle registration fees.

You’ll probably drive more out West

While public transportation is plentiful and heavily used in Washington, D.C., getting around by car is easier (and more of a necessity) in Seattle. Yes, you can commute by bus, rail and ferry, but having your own vehicle gives you easy access to places like Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC, both less than 3 hours from Seattle. Mountains, forests, beaches and deserts are also within a short drive.

Prepare for lots of wet weather

Say goodbye to experiencing the four seasons of Washington, D.C. You might think of Seattle as “the rainy city,” and you’d be accurate. It rains 150 days out of the year on average, or about 40 percent of the time, so proper gear is essential.

Despite the wet climate, expect consistent, comfortable temperatures year-round. The summer months average highs of 75 degrees with little to no humidity, making air conditioning optional in many cases. Winter lows dip into the 30s, with occasional light snow.

Make your long haul from Washington, D.C. to Seattle easier with U-Pack

Sure, you could rent a large moving truck and spend 40-plus hours driving it 2,800 miles from Washington, D.C. to Seattle. You also could pay a premium price for a full-service moving company to handle everything for you. Or you could discover a more balanced and efficient long-distance moving option in U-Pack, where you pack and load your belongings and we transport them to your new home.

With over 240 service centers across the U.S., it doesn’t matter where you’re moving to or from, U-Pack can help. Choose from multiple equipment options and get door-to-door delivery at a cost comparable to truck rental! Get a free moving quote online today.