Things to know before moving from Illinois to Boston, MA
Cost of living: Illinois vs Boston, MA
Illinois | Boston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,179 | $3,400 |
Average home value | $249,224 | $739,121 |
Average income (per capita) | $78,433 | $89,212 |
Unemployment rate | 5% | 6% |
State income tax | 5% | 9% |
Boston sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 188% more expensive in Boston than in Illinois.
- Home prices are about 197% higher in Boston than in Illinois.
- The average income is about 14% higher in Boston than in Illinois.
- Boston has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 17%.
- Income taxes are 82% higher in Boston than in Illinois.
How life is different in Boston from Illinois
Boston | Illinois | |
---|---|---|
Population | 675,647 | 12,549,689 |
Political leaning | Republican 49-48 | Democratic 55-45 |
Summer high | 82ºF | 86ºF |
Winter low | 19ºF | 17ºF |
Annual rain | 47" | 40" |
Annual snow | 48" | 22" |
Crime index | 39.88 | 19.7 |
Boston sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Boston is approximately 95% lower than the population of Illinois.
- In the last presidential election, Boston voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Boston is 82ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Boston reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
- You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in Boston vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
- In Boston, it snows about 48 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
- Boston has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 39.88 vs 19.7.
Things to do in Boston
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Boston.
Museums in Boston
Parks in Boston
Sports Teams in Boston
Universities in Boston
Other considerations when moving to Boston, MA
- 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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 on the state regulator's official website.
- 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 Massachusetts. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
FAQ
How long does a move from Illinois to Boston take?
The time frame for a move from Illinois to Boston, MA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to Boston will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Boston from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to Boston?
Because of the 1110-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to Boston as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Boston, MA?
With the summer highs of 82ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Boston from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Boston during summer or winter.