Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The cost to move from San Jose to Boston ranges from $2,216 to $10,470 and the journey will take approximately seven to 21 days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 3,126-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Boston to San Jose guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from San Jose to Boston
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from San Jose to Boston isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to MA move
Local moving companies in San Jose
- Lunardi Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- All Reasons Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Pure Moving Company: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Vector Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Trek Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0190625
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2762936
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0189789
Years in Business: 33
DOT #: 70719
Alternate Names: All Reasons Moving and Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191103
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 3207734
Alternate Names: Pure Pros Movers, Pure Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191802
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3152229
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from San Jose to Boston?
San Jose movers charge $119 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,801 - $7,443 | $1,837 - $4,537 | $1,965 - $4,170 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $5,055 - $10,470 | $3,125 - $6,823 | $2,216 - $4,965 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $10,412 - $15,726 | $4,588 - $9,795 | $2,719 - $5,865 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Massachusetts
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from California to Massachusetts, you can expect prices to land between $1,801 and $7,443. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $5,055 to $10,470 for the trip from CA to MA. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $10,412 and $15,726.
Cost of moving containers from California to Massachusetts
Moving from California to Massachusetts? For a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,837 and $4,537. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $3,125 to $6,823. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $4,588 up to $9,795. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Massachusetts
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $1,965 and $4,170 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $2,216 to $4,965. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $2,719 to $5,865.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors influencing moving costs from San Jose to Boston
What to know before moving from San Jose to Boston
Moving from San Jose to Boston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Boston is generally more expensive than San Jose, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| San Jose | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,095 | $3,400 |
| Average home value | $1,453,657 | $739,121 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,421 | $89,212 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,674 | $4,820 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,354 | $11,304 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 6.2% |
| Sales tax | 9.38% | 6.25% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 9.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Boston, since prices are typically 10% higher than in San Jose.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Boston.
Home prices in Boston are 49.2% lower than in San Jose. - You’re likely to make a higher income living in Boston, where incomes are, on average, 6.9% higher than in San Jose. Major employers in Boston include General Electric, Fidelity Investments, and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Boston, since the cost of living for a single person in Boston is 31.2% higher than in San Jose. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Boston, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Boston is 35.3% higher than in San Jose.
- The unemployment rate in Boston is 6.06% lower than in San Jose.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Boston, since the city's sales taxes in Boston are 33.37% lower than in San Jose.
- One perk of moving to Boston is paying less in state income taxes, which are 32.33% lower than in San Jose.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,935.76 in Boston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.
How life is different in San Jose vs. Boston
| Boston | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 675,647 | 971,233 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 98 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 86 | 62 |
| Crime Index | 39.88 | 47.73 |
| Safety Index | 60.12 | 52.27 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Boston might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 30% less than San Jose.
- Boston offers better access to buses and trains than San Jose, based on public transportation ratings. Boston has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 7 in San Jose. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Boston means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in San Jose. Boston is considered more walkable than San Jose, with a score of 98 out of 100 versus 51 out of 100 in San Jose. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Boston is considered more bike-friendly than San Jose in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Boston has a bike-friendliness score of 86 out of 100, while San Jose is rated as 62 out of 100.
- Boston has a lower crime rate than San Jose based on scores of 39.88 and San Jose's 47.73, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Boston than in San Jose, based on Boston's safety index of 60.12 versus 52.27 for San Jose. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Boston has better air quality than in San Jose. Boston has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Jose. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your San Jose vs. Boston move
- Weather: Boston summers are typically warm and humid, while winters are cold and stormy, with occasional periods of heavy snow. Spring and fall are usually cool to mild.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Massachusetts, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- 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: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
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: Boston features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, Museum of Science, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, Arnold Arboretum, and Charles River Esplanade — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Boston Red Sox (MLB), Boston Bruins (NHL), Boston Celtics (NBA), or New England Patriots (NFL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Boston?
The best time to move from San Jose to Boston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Jose.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Jose to Boston?
With many people choosing to move from San Jose to Boston in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from San Jose to Boston take?
The 3,126-mile move from San Jose, CA, to Boston, MA, takes seven to 21 days. Some San Jose movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Boston.
