Local moving companies in Boston

  1. Poseidon Moving: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  2. Boston Best Rate Movers: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  3. Olympia Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  4. Flash Moving: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  5. Oscar's Moving Company: 4.96 out of 5 stars

Poseidon Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 2522855

Pricing: $120/hr

Years in Business: 10

45 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 5244 US

Customers are divided on Poseidon Moving, with 49 reviews yielding 55% positive input. Many highlight the professionalism of the movers, efficient service, careful handling, competitive pricing, and responsive communication. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly, hardworking, and capable of handling challenging moves with care. On the other hand, nearly 43% of client feedback details concerns about damaged items, difficulty reaching the company, or late arrivals and deliveries. Damage to belongings is a recurring theme, with some reports of claims or customer service issues going unresolved. Compared to other moving services, Poseidon stands out for affordability and staff quality but faces criticism for service reliability and post-move support. These patterns suggest Poseidon is an option for those focused on budget and friendly movers, but customers who prioritize reliability and damage-free delivery may want to evaluate alternatives or take extra precautions.

Get a Quote (617) 470-9950

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 2522855
  • State license #: 31816

Alternative Business Names

  • Poseidon Moving, LLC
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Boston Best Rate Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 1718049

Years in Business: 19

252R Calvary St, Waltham, MA 02453 US

Boston Best Rate Movers earns applause for its swift, careful, and professional moving teams. Out of 248 pieces of customer feedback, 96% praised factors like efficiency, attention to detail, professionalism, timely arrivals, and budget-friendly rates. Customers often highlight careful wrapping, fast-paced teams, courteous staff, and straightforward pricing that rarely incurs surprises. Users also welcome the ease of the booking process and the respectful treatment of propertyโ€”qualities that place BBRM ahead of many local competitors. Only a handful of reviewers express frustration with unexpected costs, item damage, or unsatisfactory complaint resolution, noting higher-than-expected bills, difficult claims processes, or unresolved breakage issues. Even so, Boston Best Rate Movers consistently delivers an experience that exceeds expectations for reliability and service quality compared to other movers in the Boston area.

Get a Quote (617) 787-3528

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Flat Rate Moving & Storage, Inc.
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Olympia Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 70719

Years in Business: 31

17 Bridge St, Watertown, MA 02472 US

Moving with Olympia means speed, professionalism, and careโ€”nearly 85% of customers praise efficient crews, courteous staff, and thoughtful handling of belongings. Many describe clear communication and a smooth moving process, often noting Olympiaโ€™s reliability and thoroughness compared to other moving companies. Clients highlight quick responses, well-organized teams, and genuine respect for property, making even challenging relocations feel manageable. Some feedback points to recurring issues with poor packing that results in damaged items, final bills that surpass the original estimates, and occasional communication lapses, especially when addressing problems or claims. While most reported positive interactions, a notable group experienced broken or missing items and found it difficult to resolve disputes. For those seeking a moving company known for professionalism and efficiency, Olympia stands out, but potential customers should verify the estimate details and clarify communication protocols to avoid misunderstandings that some reviewers encountered. This analysis is based on 382 reviews, with the vast majorityโ€”84.8%โ€”being positive.

Get a Quote (617) 344-9145

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 70719
  • State license #: 70719
  • DOD certified
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Flash Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 3025065

Years in Business: 6

151 Newton St, Waltham, MA 2453 US
Get a Quote (857) 241-8778

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

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Oscar's Moving Company

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 1637689

Years in Business: 17

86 Rowe St, Newton, MA 02466 US

Smooth moves and attentive staff consistently define Oscar's Moving Company, based on analysis of 339 customer inputs. Nearly 84% of feedback expresses satisfaction, pointing to fast service, careful treatment of belongings, professionalism, speedy moving, and open communication as standout qualities. Teams frequently arrive on time, work efficiently, and ensure property is protected. Many highlight helpful communication and a courteous attitude not always found with other movers in the industry. Yet, about 16% of feedback cites issues like damaged goods, missed time windows, and billing surprises. Reports of lost or broken items and charges exceeding quotes occur more than with top competitors. Despite some lapses, the high rate of repeat business suggests Oscar's consistently outperforms most local options for professionalism and efficiency while keeping prices transparent for the majority of customers.

Get a Quote (617) 202-9566

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Oscar's Moving Company
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Factors influencing moving costs from Boston to Des Moinestoggle

The cost of Boston movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Boston to Des Moines can be as low as $1,504 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 9,073.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Boston, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $980 to $2,480. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Boston to Des Moines

Moving from Boston to Des Moines means adjusting to a different pace of life โ€” and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Boston than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Boston compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Boston Des Moines
Average rent cost $3,400 $1,150
Average home value $739,121 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $89,212 $58,492
Cost of living (single person) $4,820 $1,891
Cost of living (family of 4) $11,304 $4,380
Unemployment rate 6.2% 5.9%
Sales tax 6.25% 7.0%
State income tax 9.0% 4.4%
  • Rent prices in Des Moines are 66% lower than in Boston, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
    Home prices in Des Moines are 74.0% lower than in Boston.
  • Income in Des Moines is 34.4% lower than in Boston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines include MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 60.8% lower than in Boston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 61.3% lower than in Boston.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 4.84% lower than in Boston.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Des Moines are 12.00% higher than in Boston.
  • One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 51.11% lower than in Boston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,176.97 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.

How life is different in Boston vs. Des Moines

Des Moines Boston
Population 699,292 675,647
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 9
Walkability score 45 98
Bike friendliness score 39 86
Crime Index 5.0 39.88
Safety Index 57.8 60.12
Air Quality Good Good
  • Des Moines's population is about the same as Boston.
  • Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Boston's higher score of 9.
  • Des Moines is less walkable than Boston with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Boston's 98 out of 100.
  • Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Boston, which has a score of 86 out of 100.
  • Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Boston with a score of 5.0 compared to Boston's 39.88. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88%.
  • Des Moines and Boston are considered to be equally safe.
  • Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Boston it's good.

Other things to consider for your Boston vs. Des Moines move

  • Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
  • HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
  • Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
  • State licensing: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
  • State regulator: You can check the status of a Iowa moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Iowa doesn\โ€™t require moving permits, but it\โ€™s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
  • Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. Youโ€™ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Des Moines. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Des Moines

Ready to relocate to "Hartford of the West"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Des Moines.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown
  • East Village
  • Arbor Peaks
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Beaverdale

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Linden Heights
  • Waterbury
  • Waveland Park
  • Westwood
  • Meredith

Things to do in Des Moines

After settling into your new Iowa home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Des Moines has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Des Moines is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, Salisbury House, and World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Boston to Des Moines?

The best time to move from Boston to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Boston.

When is the cheapest time to move from Boston to Des Moines?

Because most people are moving from Boston to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Boston to Des Moines take?

The 1,299-mile move from Boston, MA, to Des Moines, IA, takes three to eight days. Some Boston movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.

Helpful moving resources