($1,534) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Boston

Moving from Des Moines to Boston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Boston is generally more expensive than Des Moines, 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:

• Rent prices in Boston are 196% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in Boston are 284.3% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Boston is 52.5% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top 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 154.9% higher than in Des Moines. 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 158.1% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Boston is 5.08% higher than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Boston, since the city’s sales taxes in Boston are 10.71% lower than in Des Moines.
• State income taxes in Boston are 104.55% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,646.75 in Boston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Boston

• Boston's population is about the same as Des Moines.
• Boston's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
• Boston is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 98 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
• With a score of 86 out of 100, Boston is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Boston's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 39.88 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Boston and Des Moines are considered to be equally safe.
• Air quality in Boston is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Massachusetts does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Boston. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

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.

Helpful moving resources