Local moving companies in Boston
- Olympia Moving & Storage: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Oscar's Moving Company: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Boston Best Rate Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- StairHopper Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Poseidon Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Olympia Moving & Storage

DOT #: 70719
Years in Business: 31
17 Bridge St, Watertown, MA 02472 USMoving with Olympia means speed, professionalism, and careโnearly 85% of customers praise efficient crews, courteous staff, and thoughtful handling of belongings. Many describe clear communication and a smooth moving process, often noting Olympiaโs 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 majorityโ84.8%โbeing positive.
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
Oscar's Moving Company

DOT #: 1637689
Years in Business: 17
86 Rowe St, Newton, MA 02466 USSmooth 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.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1637689
- State license #: 31320
Alternative Business Names
- Oscar's Moving Company
Boston Best Rate Movers

DOT #: 1718049
Years in Business: 19
252R Calvary St, Waltham, MA 02453 USBoston 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 propertyโqualities 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.
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
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1718049
- State license #: 31391
- DOD certified
Alternative Business Names
- Flat Rate Moving & Storage, Inc.
StairHopper Movers

DOT #: 1696867
Years in Business: 21
20 Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02129 USCustomers call StairHopper Movers a top choice for hassle-free, fast, and professional moving. Out of 831 customer feedback pieces reviewed, 97.5% gave positive marks. Most highlight efficient service, careful handling, professionalism, speed, and strong communication as major reasons for high satisfaction. Movers stand out for punctuality, wrapping and protecting furniture, and working quicklyโoften finishing ahead of schedule. Input often references respectful, friendly crews and transparent scheduling updatesโa rarity among movers. Some feedback shares that costs ran higher than quoted, often due to extra material charges or underestimated packing needs. Customers occasionally noted surprise fees. A small number mention minor damage or billing complaints. Compared to many moving companies, StairHopper receives consistently stronger praise for reliability and organization, though pricing clarity could be improved. Many say it's the best move they've ever had and would recommend StairHopper to friends or use them again.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1696867
- State license #: 31321
Poseidon Moving

DOT #: 2522855
Pricing: $120/hr
Years in Business: 10
45 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 5244 USCustomers 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.
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
Key factors that influence moving costs from Boston to Washington DC
What to know before moving from Boston to Washington DC
Moving from Boston to Washington DC 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 Washington DC, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Boston compares to Washington DC so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Boston | Washington DC | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $3,400 | $2,400 |
Average home value | $739,121 | $594,337 |
Average income (per capita) | $89,212 | $101,722 |
Cost of living (single person) | $4,820 | $3,963 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,304 | $11,093 |
Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 7.0% |
Sales tax | 6.25% | 6.0% |
State income tax | 9.0% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Washington DC are 29% lower than in Boston, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Washington DC.
Home prices in Washington DC are 19.6% lower than in Boston. - Income in Washington DC is 14.0% higher than in Boston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Washington DC include Department of Homeland Security, US Navy, and United States Postal Service.
- The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 17.8% lower than in Boston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 1.9% lower than in Boston.
- The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 12.90% higher than in Boston.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Washington DC, since the cityโs sales taxes in Washington DC are 4.00% lower than in Boston.
- One perk of moving to Washington DC is paying less in state income taxes, which are 36.11% lower than in Boston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,466.60 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.
How life is different in Boston vs. Washington DC
Washington DC | Boston | |
---|---|---|
Population | 705,749 | 675,647 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 9 |
Walkability score | 77 | 98 |
Bike friendliness score | 70 | 86 |
Crime Index | 60.37 | 39.88 |
Safety Index | 39.63 | 60.12 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Washington DC is about 4% greater than Boston, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Washington DC will be about the same as it currently is in Boston. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Washington DC neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boston. Based on its score of 77 out of 100, Washington DC isnโt as walkable as Boston, which has a score of 98 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Washington DC, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boston. While Boston has a bike-friendliness score of 86 out of 100, Washington DC earned a 70. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Washington DC is higher than in Boston, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 60.37 in Washington DC, it is 39.88 in Boston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Washington DC. With a crime index of 39.63, Washington DC ranks lower in overall safety than Boston, whose index is Boston's 60.12. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Washington DC and Boston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Boston vs. Washington DC move
- Weather: Winters are cool to cold with light snow more common but heavy snow not uncommon, and summers are hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild to warm. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall or high heat.
- 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Maryland moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Maryland doesn\โt require moving permits, but it\โs 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. Youโll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Washington DC. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Washington DC
Ready to relocate to "DC"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Washington DC.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Adams Morgan
- Capitol Hill
- Cleveland Park
- Foggy Bottom
- Logan Circle
Best neighborhoods for families
- AU-Tenleytown
- Chevy Chase
- Cleveland Park
- Georgetown
- The Palisades
Things to do in Washington DC
After settling into your new Maryland home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Washington DC has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Washington DC is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Gallery of Art, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and National Air and Space Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs National Mall, National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden, Rock Creek Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park 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 Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Mystics (WNBA), or D.C. Untied (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Boston to Washington DC?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Boston to Washington DC. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Boston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Boston to Washington DC?
Because spring and fall moves from Boston to Washington DC are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Boston to Washington DC take?
Covering 436 miles, the move from Boston, MA to Washington DC, MD typically takes one to four days. Some Boston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWashington DC can help bridge the gap.