Arlington, VA to Boston, MA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Arlington to Boston typically costs $2,000–$5,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 442 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Arlington to Boston
Moving from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA typically costs $2,000–$5,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 442-mile move from Arlington to Boston, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- United Van Lines recently quoted $2,089 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,698 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $2,790 for a 4 bedroom using a moving container.
Studio apartment
Feb 16, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 14, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 02, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 28, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 13, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 12, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 29, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 29, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 24, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 29, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Arlington to Boston
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,300, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $8,100.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Arlington, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($400–$1,200) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Boston, MA to Arlington, VA guide.
Best Arlington to Boston movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Arlington to Boston
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Arlington to Boston, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best VA→MA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 103 Virginia moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Arlington to Boston
Many movers find Boston easier on the wallet than Arlington - roughly 30% less for singles and 6% less for families.
Monthly basics average $4,820 for one person in Boston versus $6,867 in Arlington. For a family of four, it's $11,304 compared with $11,970.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Arlington | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,475 | $3,361 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,350 | $5,973 |
| Average home value | $810,670 | $739,121 |
| Average income (per capita) | $128,145 | $89,212 |
| Cost of living (single) | $6,867 | $4,820 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,970 | $11,304 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 6.2% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 6.25% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 9.0% |
- Rent is estimated to be 25% higher in Boston compared to Arlington; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 9% less in Boston than in Arlington.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 30% lower in Boston compared to Arlington.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Boston. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 30% lower than in Arlington.
- Choosing to move to Boston can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 6% less than in Arlington.
- In Boston, the unemployment rate is approximately 55% higher than in Arlington, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes show little difference between Boston and Arlington (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
- Income taxes are 57% higher in Massachusetts than in Virginia, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Arlington and Boston:
| Living Expense | Arlington | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $208.70 | $203.15 |
| Cell phone plan | $59.67 | $57.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.26 | $4.71 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $4.07 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $24.50 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $90.00 | $135.00 |
| Gym membership | $77.25 | $77.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Arlington than in Boston.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Arlington than in Boston.
- Eggs are less expensive in Arlington than in Boston.
- Bread is more expensive in Arlington than in Boston.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Arlington than in Boston.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Arlington than in Boston.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Arlington than in Boston.
How life is different in Arlington vs. Boston
| Arlington | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 238,643 | 675,647 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 71 | 98 |
| Bike friendliness score | 72 | 86 |
| Crime index | 15.67 | 39.88 |
| Safety index | 79.15 | 60.12 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Boston's population is about 183% greater than Arlington.
- Boston's public transportation score is within about 5% of Arlington, making them very similar.
- Boston is more walkable than Arlington with a score of 98 out of 100 vs Arlington's 71 out of 100.
- With a score of 86 out of 100, Boston is more bike-friendly than Arlington, which has a score of 72 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Boston's crime rate is higher than Arlington with a score of 39.88 compared to Arlington's 15.67. This means that Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67%.
- Boston is considered to be less safe than Arlington with a score of 60.12 vs Arlington's 79.15.
- Air quality in Boston is Good, and in Arlington it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Arlington to Boston move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Massachusetts doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Boston. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Boston
Now that you've decided to make the move to Athens of America, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Boston.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Allston-Brighton
- Back Bay-Beacon Hill
- East Boston
- Jamaica Plain
- South Boston
Best neighborhoods for families
- Charlestown
- East Boston
- Hyde Park
- Roslindale
- West Roxbury
Things to do in Boston
Once you're settled into your new home in Massachusetts, it's time to get out and discover what Boston has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Boston, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, and Museum of Science.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, Arnold Arboretum, and Charles River Esplanade — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Boston Red Sox (MLB)Boston Bruins (NHL)Boston Celtics (NBA)New England Patriots (NFL)New England Revolution (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Boston?
The best time to move from Arlington to Boston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Arlington.
When is the cheapest time to move from Arlington to Boston?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Arlington to Boston, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Arlington to Boston take?
Moving from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA covers 442 miles and usually takes one to four days. Need to move faster? Some Arlington movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Boston.
Which movers in Arlington give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 7 movers give special rates to military members. 14 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Arlington?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 57 movers in Arlington advertise piano moving expertise. 44 movers in Arlington provide antique moving services. State totals show 79 piano movers and 49 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
