How Much Does Hiring a Moving Company Cost in Boston?

Moving in Boston or planning a move outside of the city? The first thing you need to know is how much it costs to move, so you can budget accordingly. Our guide will help you compare the costs of moving locally or long distance, as well as whether hiring professional movers or moving by yourself is better for the moving budget you have. Read on to decide the best options for your budget and avoid unexpected costs!

Average moving costs calculated using Extra Space Storage's Moving Cost Calculator

Cost of Professional Movers in Boston

In general, the cost of hiring movers in Boston will be between $200 and $5,953 for moves within the city or the local region, while long-distance moves could cost you anywhere from $2,999 to $19,225. Hiring professional movers in Boston will almost always cost you more than a DIY move, but you'll usually benefit from a more efficient moving process, less stress, and the resources provided by most Boston moving companies—like packing supplies and moving equipment.

In general, the cost of hiring movers in Boston depends on a number of factors, including the weight of your belongings, the number of items you're packing, the distance traveled, the time of year, and more—all of which impact how much you tip your movers.

Average Local Moving Costs in Boston

Local moving companies in Boston may charge you anywhere from $200 to $4,000 in total, as most companies bill by the hour. Local moves typically cost around $25 to $50 per hour, per mover. Moving in Boston could mean you're moving a short distance between similar neighborhoods, or moving from the Boston metro out to the suburbs.

Average Cost of Regional Moves in Boston

A regional move from Boston could relocate you to anywhere in New England or along the upper East Coast—100 to 500 miles away. Since these moves are longer distance, it's more likely Boston moving companies will take distance travelled and the overall weight and size of your items into account when charging you, but costs can range anywhere from $560 to $5,953. Here are our pricing estimates for Boston movers going to popular nearby cities.

Moving from Boston to Albany, NY

Moving company costs range from $560 to $4,600 on average.

Moving from Boston to New York, NY

Moving company costs range from $694 to $4,824 on average.

Moving from Boston to Philadelphia, PA

Moving company costs range from $971 to $5,285 on average.

Moving from Boston to Rochester, NY

Moving company costs range from $1,226 to $5,710 on average.

Moving from Boston to Washington, DC

Moving company costs range from $1,372 to $5,953 on average.

Average Cross-Country Moving Costs in Boston

When you hire long-distance movers in Boston—for moves ranging from 500 to 2,500+ miles—you'll run into large variations in pricing structure as well as in the highest total costs. Cross-country moves from Boston can cost you anywhere from $2,999 to $19,225 on average. Moving long distance can take days or even weeks, requiring much more planning, labor, and other considerations like fuel costs. These are average pricing estimates for long-distance moving companies in Boston, relocating to popular cities around the country.

Moving from Boston to Chicago, IL

Moving company costs range from $2,999 to $8,665 on average.

Moving from Boston to Miami, FL

Moving company costs range from $4,516 to $11,193 on average.

Moving from Boston to Los Angeles, CA

Moving company costs range from $8,997 to $18,662 on average.

Moving from Boston to Seattle, WA

Moving company costs range from $9,183 to $18,972 on average.

Moving from Boston to San Francisco, CA

Moving company costs range from $9,335 to $19,225 on average.

Cost of DIY Moving in Boston

In general, DIY moving in Boston is much more affordable than hiring professionals—in fact, you could save anywhere from 16% to 60% on your move by doing it yourself, depending on the size of your moving truck, the amount of belongings, the cost of moving supplies, and the distance travelled.

Average Local Moving Costs in Boston

The cost of moving in Boston locally doesn't vary much from the cost of hiring movers, since the shorter distance makes moving truck and labor costs comparable. Expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $4,000.

Average Cost of Regional Moves in Boston

When moving to other cities in New England or along the East Coast, you can expect to see more of a cost difference between moving by yourself vs. hiring movers in Boston. DIY moving from Boston can save you anywhere from 16% to 43%, with most of your costs coming from the size of your moving truck and the cost of packing supplies.

Moving from Boston to Albany, NY

Moving company costs range from $320 to $4,300 on average.

Moving from Boston to New York, NY

Moving company costs range from $365 to $4,412 on average.

Moving from Boston to Philadelphia, PA

Moving company costs range from $457 to $4,643 on average.

Moving from Boston to Rochester, NY

Moving company costs range from $542 to $4,855 on average.

Moving from Boston to Washington, DC

Moving company costs range from $591 to $4,976 on average.

Average Cross-Country Moving Costs in Boston

DIY moving offers the most savings on long-distance moves, with potential cost reductions of 40% to 62% compared to hiring a professional moving company. However, you'll find yourself with a lot more work to do, as cross-country moving from Boston will likely take you multiple days of driving. Fuel prices and the length of time you have your moving truck will largely impact the cost of long-distance moving from Boston.

Moving from Boston to Chicago, IL

Moving company costs range from $1,133 to $6,333 on average.

Moving from Boston to Miami, FL

Moving company costs range from $1,639 to $7,596 on average.

Moving from Boston to Los Angeles, CA

Moving company costs range from $3,132 to $11,331 on average.

Moving from Boston to Seattle, WA

Moving company costs range from $3,194 to $11,486 on average.

Moving from Boston to San Francisco, CA

Moving company costs range from $3,245 to $11,612 on average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to estimate moving costs in Boston?

To estimate your Boston moving costs, you'll want to start by considering the various factors of your move. Mainly, if you're moving locally or across the country, and if you're hiring a moving company or doing it yourself. If you plan to hire a Boston moving company, you'll also want to keep in mind that local moves are typically charged by the hour, while long-distance movers typically charge by weight and distance, which can impact total costs. To get a more accurate estimate for your Boston move, use Extra Space Storage's free Moving Cost Calculator.

What factors affect the cost of hiring movers in Boston?

There are several factors that can affect the cost of hiring movers in Boston, including how far you're moving, whether or not you're hiring movers, how many items you have, and the time of year you move. Additional factors like moving insurance, storage needs, and specialized moving services should be considered as well when calculating moving costs.

How does the time of year affect moving costs in Boston?

Moving costs in Boston can vary depending on when you move, due to high demand or peak seasons for moving. September 1 is a major moving day in Boston—as many college students are moving back into the city—meaning moving rates are often higher due to demand. If you're moving dates are flexible or you're moving on a budget, consider scheduling your move during off-peak seasons like spring or early winter for lower rates.

Can I negotiate the price with moving companies in Boston?

In general, yes, you can negotiate prices with moving companies in Boston—and is something worth asking before hiring movers. It's possible! Most Boston moving companies are willing to discuss costs, especially if you have a written quote from a competitor. It's best to research and get quotes from three to five moving companies to see what the average moving rate is, and compare and negotiate as needed. Other things you can do when discussing price with a moving company are being flexible about your moving dates, asking for discounts or moving specials, and being transparent about your overall budget.

How to save on moving costs in Boston?

You can save on moving costs in Boston by moving during the off-season (typically October through April), decluttering your belongings ahead of time, finding free or cheap moving and packing supplies, or renting a moving truck instead of hiring full-service movers. A DIY move in Boston can cost between 16% and 60% less than hiring a professional moving company.

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Planning a move from Boston? No matter the distance, Extra Space Storage has convenient storage facilities across the country to assist you, as well as useful moving resources and a detailed moving cost estimator so you can go into your move well-informed.