Cost guide · Updated Aug 9, 2026
Junk removal cost in Seattle in 2026
Junk removal in Seattle runs $180 to $1,200 in 2026 — median around $560 for a half-truck load. Disposal costs more here than in most of the country, and Washington bans several materials from the garbage stream outright, so sorting is part of the job rather than a courtesy.
Typical range
$180 – $1,200
~$560 for a half-truck (~7–8 cu yd)
By scope
| Scope | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single item / minimum pickup | $130 – $230 | |
| 1/4 truck (~4 cu yd) | $240 – $350 | |
| 1/2 truck (~7–8 cu yd) | $420 – $680 | |
| 3/4 truck (~11 cu yd) | $640 – $900 | |
| Full truck (~15 cu yd) | $850 – $1,200 |
What swings the price
- Transfer station tipping fees, which are among the highest on the West Coast.
- Material bans — yard waste, recyclables, and electronics cannot go into the garbage stream.
- Steep-lot access in West Seattle, Queen Anne, and Magnolia, where the truck parks above or below the house.
- Rain, which adds weight to absorbent loads and slows outdoor cleanouts.
Seattle specifics
Seattle-area disposal is expensive and the region bans recyclables, yard waste, and electronics from the garbage stream, so a hauler either sorts your load or pays a contamination penalty at the gate. That cost has to land somewhere. Haulers who quote well below the market are usually planning to mix everything into one bin, and when the transfer station catches it the extra fee tends to reappear on your invoice. Ask how they sort before you compare prices.
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FAQs
How much does junk removal cost in Seattle?
$420–$680 for a half-truck load, median around $560. Single-item pickups start at $130–$230 and a full truck runs $850–$1,200. Seattle prices above the national average largely because disposal does.
Why is junk removal more expensive in Seattle?
Two reasons: labor costs are high, and transfer station tipping fees are among the steepest on the West Coast. Add material bans that require sorting rather than a single dump, and the per-load cost is structurally higher than in most metros.
What cannot go in the garbage in Washington?
Yard waste, most recyclables, and electronics are all banned from the garbage stream, and there are separate programs for appliances with refrigerant and for mattresses. A hauler who sorts is following the rules, not padding the job.
What does a garage cleanout cost in Seattle?
$550–$1,200 for a typical garage depending on volume and how much of it needs sorting into separate streams. Loads heavy in yard waste, paint, or electronics take longer and cost more than the same volume of furniture.
Can I haul it to the transfer station myself?
You can, and for a small load with a truck it is cheaper. You will pay a minimum load fee plus tonnage, sort at the site, and spend the better part of a morning. For anything past a pickup bed, a hauler usually wins on time and often on total cost.
Sources
- Seattle Public Utilities — disposal fees and material bans (2026)
- HomeGuide — junk removal cost (2025)
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Prices refresh quarterly. Last review: Aug 9, 2026.