How Much Do Boston Movers Cost?

Quick answer: The typical cost for hiring movers in Boston is $100 per hour, with the total cost to move ranging from $494 to $3,426, on average. If you’re moving out of Massachusetts, the cost of hiring long-distance movers in Boston really depends on where you’re moving.

Use our moving cost calculator below for a quick and personalized price estimate for your move out of Boston, MA.

Moving Cost Calculator

Jump to the cost information best for your Boston move:

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Our content is thoroughly fact-checked and reviewed by our team of in-house experts to ensure the information you get is relevant, accurate, and up-to-date.

Average cost to hire a local moving company in Boston

Hiring a full-service Boston mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Boston move.

If you want to save money, you can do some of the work yourself — by hiring a container company or renting a moving truck where you do the packing and loading and they transport your belongings in Boston for you.

Here are the average moving costs from Boston to another state with different types of movers:

Destination Professional Movers Containers Rental Trucks
Indianapolis $2,649 - $6,688 $1,756 - $3,180 $783 - $1,647
Jackson $3,203 - $7,570 $1,940 - $4,206 $1,036 - $2,271
Omaha $3,194 - $7,534 $1,935 - $4,285 $1,138 - $2,236

And here's how much professional movers cost in Boston based on your move size:

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $494 $140 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $634 $140 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $942 $196 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $1,998 $274 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $2,272 $274 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $3,426 $384 5 movers 10 hours
  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Boston to move a studio apartment is $494. You'll need two movers for three hours at $140 per hour.
  • One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $634 for local Boston movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $140 per hour.
  • Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire Boston movers to move a two-bedroom home is $942. You'll need three movers for five hours at $196 per hour.
  • Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $1,998 for local Boston movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $274 per hour.
  • Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in Boston will cost $2,272, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $274 per hour.
  • Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring Boston movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $3,426. You'll need five movers for ten hours at $384 per hour.

It's worth noting the cost per hour for Boston movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $140 per hour for two movers to $384 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher overall cost.

Overall, hiring local Boston movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.

Best local moving companies in Boston, MA

Our expert team of analysts has dug deep into licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to find you the best local moving companies in Boston.

Company Quote Rating Contact
Poseidon Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
45 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA, 5244
(617) 470-9950
Olympia Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
17 Bridge St, Watertown, MA, 02472
(617) 344-9145

Visit our best movers in Boston page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you’re moving outside of Boston, consider one of Boston’s top long-distance movers.

Average cost to hire interstate movers in Boston

Since the cost of moving out of Boston depends so much on where you’re moving, here are some example costs. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Boston or use our moving cost calculator to get quotes from the top interstate movers.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
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  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery

Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Boston

Boston to Los Angeles: $3,308–$6,501
Boston to New York City: $1,211–$3,213
Boston to Chicago: $2,494–$5,685
Boston to Houston: $2,865–$5,628
Boston to Phoenix: $2,941–$5,870

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from Boston

Boston to Los Angeles: $4,988–$8,781
Boston to New York City: $1,680–$4,217
Boston to Chicago: $2,928–$6,147
Boston to Houston: $3,655–$6,666
Boston to Phoenix: $4,337–$7,509

Cost to move a four- bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Boston

Boston to Los Angeles: $9,204–$13,655
Boston to New York City: $2,237–$5,214
Boston to Chicago: $4,819–$8,074
Boston to Houston: $6,527–$11,701
Boston to Phoenix: $8,320–$12,038

Now that you have an idea of what your move from Boston should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies. We vetted each one, examining their pricing, services, and our own real-life customer reviews to pick the best options for you.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963
Best for high-end moves
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
(703) 972-1772
At A Glance
  • White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
  • Guaranteed pickup & delivery
  • $250 deposit for interstate moves
  • Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
  • Financing available
read our full review
(703) 972-1772

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Boston

You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Boston will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Boston ranges from $19-$39 per day.

While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you’ll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.

Here are the typical costs of Boston rental trucks:

  • Base cost: $19–$39 per day
  • Mileage fee: $0.89–$1.09 per mile
  • Fuel cost: Dependent on driving distance.
  • Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
  • Parking permit (if necessary): A permit for your moving truck is not required by the City of Boston, but it guarantees you a parking spot to avoid parking tickets. A one-day permit for a moving truck that needs two metered spaces would be about $110.
  • Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets

The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:

  • How far you drive the truck
  • How long you have the truck rental
  • Additional insurance
  • Parking
  • Toll fees
  • Fuel
  • Accommodations and dining
  • Moving equipment rentals
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285
Most Reliable
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Check prices (844) 847-9517
At A Glance
  • Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
  • Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
  • Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
read our full review
Check prices (844) 847-9517
Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Check prices

Average cost to rent a moving container in Boston

Boston has plenty of moving container companies to choose from. The containers are delivered, you load everything into them, the company picks it up, and it gets put in storage until you're ready for everything to be delivered to your new place.

Naturally, the advantage with containers like PODS and U-Pack is storage. These things will buy you time if you end up with a weird gap between leases.

Here's roughly what moving containers in Boston are going to cost:

  • Storage fee: $144.95 per 30 days
  • Damage coverage: $10–$350 based on coverage level
  • Parking permit (if necessary): A permit for your moving truck is not required by the City of Boston, but it guarantees you a parking spot to avoid parking tickets. A one-day permit for a moving truck that needs two metered spaces would be about $110.
  • Door lock (if necessary): $10–$15
  • Equipment costs (if necessary): Dolly, straps, blankets (optional)

Storing everything in a one-bedroom will end up costing somewhere around $155–$535 door-to-door. Still, you might want to factor in a little extra in case you decide to hire a third-party moving crew.

Each large container holds about three rooms until it's completely full. You might end up needing more containers, but keep in mind that your cost will essentially double with each container you add.

Company Quote Rating Price
U-Pack U-Pack Logo Check prices
starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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PODS PODS Check prices
starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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1-800-Pack-Rat Check prices
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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Quick tips for a stress-free move

  • Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
  • Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Secure a parking permit (if needed). A permit for your moving truck is not required by the City of Boston, but it guarantees you a parking spot to avoid parking tickets. A one-day permit for a moving truck that needs two metered spaces would be about $110.
  • Check state licensing laws. Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each.
  • Invest in moving insurance. In Alabama and Massachusetts, Released Value Protection is a no-cost option provided by movers but offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. If you seek full value coverage for your items, consider consulting with your moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.

Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.

Helpful Boston resources

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