Moving Between Guam and Washington State: Your Complete Guide

Relocating between Guam and Washington state means a big change, no matter which direction you’re moving in. If you’re ready to turn in the Pacific Northwest lifestyle for a tropical one (or vice versa!), we’ll offer you a comprehensive look at the Guam-Washington relocation process from start to finish.

Whether you’re making the move for a new job, a military assignment, or simply a change in scenery, let’s walk through the logistics, costs, and cultural notes essential for a smooth transition.

Why Move Between Guam and Washington State?

Everyone has their own reasons for moving—but we’ve also seen a couple of trends in the “whys” behind Guam–Washington moves, including: 

On Guam, the hospitality industry employs the largest number of people on the island. Around 15,000 people work in accommodation and food services, and another 10,000 people work in the retail trade, which supports the tourism industry. Outside of tourism, Guam residents also find work in construction; health care and social assistance; administrative and support and waste management and remediation services; and wholesale trade.

Washington offers its residents a different set of career opportunities. The Seattle area is known for its employment opportunities in tech, including positions at companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Washington residents also work in aerospace, with more Boeing employees in Washington than anywhere else in the world. Just behind aerospace, Washington residents also find opportunities in agriculture and food manufacturing, the state’s second-largest manufacturing industry behind aerospace.

The contrast between the Guam and Washington job markets is clear, motivating a number of moves between the two locations.

We’ve assisted a number of military servicemembers (and their families!) as they relocate to or from Guam on permanent change of station (PCS) orders. The island currently hosts approximately 21,700 military members and their families, with an additional 5,000 Marine Corps troops expected by 2028.

We’re proud help our servicemembers with a smooth transition between Joint Region Marianas (including Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz) and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as well as Washington’s other military installations.

Finally, some Guam moves are simply sparked by a desire for something new. Perhaps it’s the inclination to try out a tropical lifestyle. Or perhaps it’s a wish to leave the heat and humidity behind for a more varied climate with seasonal shifts. Additionally, while some see the close-knit island culture on Guam as a plus, others may crave the anonymity of a big city like Seattle—or the expansive vistas of Washington’s rural areas.  

Either way, a move between Guam and Washington practically guarantees a change of scenery—and a change of pace. (More on that below!) 

The Cost of Moving Between Guam and Washington: What to Expect

Moving between Guam and Washington state involves a leap of more than 5,700 miles. Such a big move inevitably means some serious logistics, which raises questions about cost.

While every move is different, let’s talk about what’s involved to help you budget more effectively—and avoid unexpected moving expenses.

Moving your belongings can be one of your most significant expenses when relocating between Guam and Washington.  

If you’re making a Guam military move, we work closely with the Personal Property Office to coordinate your move. We’ll also answer any questions about size and weight restrictions to help you make the most of your moving allowance. 

If you’re paying for your move yourself, you’ll have several options for tailoring your move: 

To sum it up, you’ve got several options for customizing your move—and your budget. 

Your final cost will be based on how much you’re shipping, so the best way to answer that question is to request a quote from three, independent moving companies. (We’d love to assist!)  

With these three quotes in hand, you’ll get a good lay of the land for how much your move will cost. You’ll also have a number you can count on and budget for, eliminating any surprises on Moving Day. 

Along with the rest of your belongings, you’ll also want to consider whether to ship your car to or from Guam. From a budget standpoint, here’s a ballpark for the cost:

• From the Port of Tacoma to Guam: ~$3,500

• From Guam to the Port of Tacoma: ~$3,100

Note that this only includes port-to-port service, so you’ll have to pick up and drop off the car from the port yourself.

Should you ship your car to/from Guam? Some people choose to sell their car where they are and use the proceeds to buy a car at their destination. We’ll help you decide in our complete guide to shipping your car to/from Guam.

Settling in After Your Guam–Washington State Move

Next, we’ll cover a couple of the differences between Guam and Washington state to help you acclimatize to your new home. 

If you’re moving from Guam to Washington state, you’ll have a ton of choices in front of you. Think about it this way: Guam has a land area of 212 square miles, whereas Washington clocks in at 66,438 square miles. Just imagine the possibilities!

If you’re looking for an urban area with a full range of amenities, places like Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane are all popular destinations. If you’re looking for a smaller town, Snoqualmie or North Bend might fit the bill. We’ve moved customers all over the state to places like Bellevue, Bellingham, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Redmond, and Covington—among many, many others.

You’ll find a huge range of landscapes and lifestyles in Washington state. With a little research, you’ll find the perfect one for you.

The island of Guam is divided into 19 villages, each with its own character, its own mayor, and its own Catholic Church. By population, the most popular villages on Guam are Dededo (Dededu in Chamorro), Yigo (Yigu), Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon (Tamuneng-Tomhom), and Mangilao.

The best village for you will depend on what kind of environment you’re looking for: Quiet and rural? Centrally located and convenient? Family-oriented?

If you’re working at Naval Base Guam or the U.S. Naval Hospital, living in Piti or Santa Rita-Sumai will mean an easy commute. (Yes, there’s traffic even here on Guam!)

To kick off your research, check out our article on the best places to live on Guam.

One of the big differences you’ll notice between Guam and Washington state will be the climate. 

81°F

Guam average temperature

On Guam, the temperatures hover around 81°F throughout the year. Guam essentially has two “seasons:”

• The dry (and sunny!) season from about December–June.
• The wet and rainy season from about July–November.

In Washington state, your climate will vary depending on where you decide to live.

• In western Washington, you’ll find a relatively mild climate. Average lows range from 36-45°F in the winter to 55-73°F in the summer.
• In eastern Washington, you’ll find a wider distribution of temperatures, ranging from 26-34°F in winter to 56-83°F in the summer.

Moving between Guam and Washington state offers you the opportunity to interact with new cultures, traditions, and experiences.

If you’re moving to Guam, you’ll get a taste of the island’s rich Chamorro heritage. The Chamorro were Guam’s original human inhabitants, who likely arrived on the island around 2,000 BCE. There are plenty of ways to enjoy and celebrate Chamorro culture on Guam, one of the unique pleasures of living on the island.

Where culture is concerned in Washington, the state ranks as the 15th most diverse in WalletHub’s rankings. As compared to the rest of the United States, Washington has a higher percentage of residents who identify as Asian alone, as well as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.

As you look into integrate into life in Washington or Guam, make sure to get out into the community. Attend local events, volunteer for a cause that’s meaningful to you, or join a group of people with similar interests. The connections you’ll make will only deepen the richness of your experience in your new home.

One of the other big differences people notice between life in Washington and life on Guam is the pace of life. “Island time” is a real phenomenon on Guam, and it may take some time to adjust.

Whether you’re moving to Guam or leaving Guam for Washington, we suggest going with the flow. Try to embrace the speed of life in your new home. That might mean practicing more patience or accelerating your natural rhythms. The less you resist, the faster you’ll settle in to your new lifestyle.

Moving Tips for a Smooth Transition Between Guam and Washington

Finally, we have a couple of moving tips for a simpler, easier relocation between Guam and Washington state.  

An organized move is an easier move. Start with our DeWitt Guam moving checklist, add any additional items specific to your move, and check everything off, step by step. We tell our customers to give themselves at least 6-8 weeks to plan and execute their move. Our checklist will help you navigate those weeks so you know exactly what to do—an when.

Moving Tip: Make sure to reach out to moving companies for quotes as soon as you know you’re going to move. The earlier you start planning, the more likely you’ll be to secure your first pick of dates.

Two factors make moving pets to and from Guam challenging: the distance and the fact that Guam is a rabies-free destination.

Where physically getting pets to and from Guam is concerned, many commercial airlines no longer accept pets, except for members of the military relocating on PCS orders. You may need to hire a professional pet moving service to handle your pet’s relocation.

You should also expect to complete paperwork that will get submitted to the Guam Department of Agriculture for an Animal Entry Permit. Otherwise, your pet may be subject to quarantine on arrival. Get all the details on moving your pet to Guam.

To sum it up, if furry friends are part of your family, start planning early to ensure they can make the journey with you.

As we mentioned earlier, the cost of your move will largely be based on how much you want to move.

To save money on your Guam–Washington move, take this opportunity to do a massive declutter/downsize of everything you own. You’ll lighten your load physically and psychologically—and reduce the cost of your move.

When you work with professional movers, you’ll have the option to add what’s called full replacement value protection for your items. When you choose this coverage, if any of your items are lost or damaged in transit, your moving company is required to compensate you for the full replacement value of your item, regardless of its age.

On a long-distance move like one between Guam and Washington, it’s important to carefully review your options for protecting your move. We encourage you to consider full replacement value protection for greater peace of mind.

Want a more thorough explanation of your coverage options? You’ll find more details on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

Finally, if you decide to ship your belongings to Guam, they’ll take a few weeks to arrive. In the meantime, there are some important items you won’t want to be without, such as:

• Medications and Medical Supplies: Put together an extended supply of any medications or medical supplies you use regularly, like diabetic test strips.
• Documentation: Keep your family’s important paperwork with you, such as passports, birth certificates, and titles to any vehicles you’re shipping.
• Your Wallet or Purse: If you’re hiring movers to help you pack, make sure you put your wallet and/or purse in a separate area with all the items you don’t want your movers to pack. It may sound silly, but our crews pack absolutely everything, and putting these items away will prevent any mishaps.

From Guam to Washington (or Vice Versa!)

Moving between Guam and Washington will represent a significant transition for you and any family members making the move. The more research and preparation you’re able to put into your move, the more prepared you’ll be to make the shift.

Need some help moving your belongings? We’d love to help you make an easy move to or from Guam. Just reach out to our experts for a quote. We’d also be happy to answer any questions you have about moving to or from Guam!