Moving to Seattle? What the Housing Slowdown Means
Seattle’s real estate market is shifting. A recent Bloomberg report found that luxury homes in Seattle’s eastside suburbs, like Bellevue and Sammamish, are sitting on the market much longer than before. Some homes are taking over 40 days to sell, compared to just nine days back in 2022.
Why Seattle’s Market Is Cooling Off
A few things are driving this change. Big tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have cut thousands of jobs in the region as artificial intelligence changes how these companies operate. At the same time, Washington state passed its first income tax in modern history this year, a 9.9% tax on households earning over $1 million a year. It will take effect in 2028, but high earners are already planning for it. Lawmakers also raised the estate tax to 35% for a year, then rolled it back to a top rate of 20% in mid-2026. This is still tied for the highest rate in the country.
Some well-known Seattle-area billionaires and companies have already made their own moves. Starbucks opened a new regional corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee, while keeping its global headquarters in Seattle. T-Mobile has been shifting jobs to Kansas and Texas. Some wealthy residents are looking at lower-tax states like Nevada and Florida as new places to call home.
Meanwhile, cities like San Francisco are seeing the opposite trend, with an AI-driven boom pushing home prices and rents higher. It’s a reminder that local economies can shift fast, and when they do, people and businesses often follow.
What This Means If You’re Moving
Whether the market is heating up or cooling down, one thing stays the same: people still need to move. A slower housing market is a good time to buy, especially for families who have been waiting for prices to come down. And for those relocating out of state for retirement, a new job, or lower taxes, careful planning makes all the difference.
Here’s how a shift like this could shape moving needs in the months ahead:
- Moving out of state. If more families and retirees decide to relocate to places like Texas, Nevada, or Florida, they’ll want a long-distance moving company that understands the logistics of a cross-country move, with real packing services to protect fragile items and a team that coordinates delivery dates from start to finish.
- Commercial relocation services. If companies keep shifting offices and teams to new states, employees may lean on commercial relocation services to move quickly and efficiently, sometimes on a tight timeline.
- Local moves within the Puget Sound area. A cooler market could be a good opportunity for buyers to move into new homes in Tacoma, Kent, Everett, and Seattle. Many will search for “local movers near me” and want residential movers who know the neighborhoods, plus storage solutions to bridge the gap during closing.
- A downsizing move. As families simplify their finances, some may choose to downsize, which often calls for the extra care senior move managers specialize in for sentimental items and long-term storage needs.
How Lincoln Moving & Storage Can Help
No matter what’s driving your move, Lincoln Moving & Storage has been helping families and businesses across Washington state for over 110 years. As a family-owned moving company in Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, and Everett, we treat every move like it’s our own.
If you’re relocating out of state for a new job, retirement, or a change in your financial plans, our long-distance moving services can help make the transition smooth, from packing to delivery. If you’re one of the buyers taking advantage of Seattle’s cooling market, our residential movers and local crews in Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, and Everett can get you settled into your new home quickly and carefully. Businesses changing locations can count on our office moving services to keep things on schedule. If your timeline is still up in the air, our storage solutions give you a safe place to keep your belongings until you’re ready.
As a member of the International Association of Movers, the American Trucking Association, and the Washington Movers Conference, we hold ourselves to a high standard. We’re also fully licensed with the USDOT, MC, and WUTC.
Ready to Plan Your Next Move?
Whether you’re buying, selling, downsizing, or moving out of state, Lincoln Moving & Storage is here to help. Call us at (888) 685-5048 or get a free moving quote today.
Source: Anna Edgerton, “Luxury Homes in Seattle Languish With AI Job Cuts and Taxes Hitting Tech Hub,” Bloomberg, September 1, 2026.
