Moving from Boston to Detroit (Movers from $1,397)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jul 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick answer: A move from Boston to Detroit costs $675 to $6,892 and takes 1-6 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 706-mile move yourself.

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Boston will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Detroit to Boston guide.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote % of users select this mover

How much does it cost to move from Boston to Detroit?

Boston movers charge $100 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Factors influencing moving costs from Boston to Detroit

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 Detroit can be as low as $1,397 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,182.
• 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 $619 to $1,581. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Boston to Detroit?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Boston to Detroit will cost between $1,397 to $4,867. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,674 to $6,892, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Boston to Detroit will cost from $4,598 to $10,233.

How much are moving container companies from Boston to Detroit?

Moving containers from Boston to Detroit will cost you $909 to $2,245 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,636 to $3,435. A larger home will cost $2,258 to $4,119.

How much is a moving truck from Boston to Detroit?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $619 to $1,248. A larger move will cost $675 to $1,467, and a four-bedroom move from Boston to Detroit costs from $836 to $1,707. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Boston to Detroit moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Boston to Detroit is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Boston to Detroit.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

• Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
• American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
• Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
• North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
• JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5

Pros and cons of moving from Boston to Detroit

Cost of living: Boston vs Detroit

• Rent prices in Detroit are 66% lower than in Boston.
• Home prices in Detroit are 90.8% lower than in Boston.
• Income in Detroit is 57.5% lower than in Boston.
• The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 16.4% lower than in Boston.
• The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 20.0% lower than in Boston.
• The unemployment rate in Detroit is 66.67% higher than in Boston.
• Sales taxes in Detroit are 4.00% lower than in Boston.
• State income taxes in Detroit are 52.78% lower than in Boston.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,508.20 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.

How is life different in Boston compared to Detroit?

• Detroit's population is about 5% less than Boston.
• Detroit's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Boston's lower score of 9.
• Detroit is less walkable than Boston with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Boston's 98 out of 100.
• Detroit is less bike-friendly than Boston with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Boston's 86.
• Detroit's crime rate is higher than Boston with a score of 55.84 compared to Boston's 26.45. This means that Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 55.84% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Boston neighborhoods are safer than 26.45%.
• Detroit is considered to be less safe than Boston with a score of 25.97 vs Boston's 62.78.
• Air quality in Detroit is moderate, and in Boston it's good.

Considerations for moving to Detroit

• Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move..
• 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Michigan 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 Detroit. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives 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.

Local Boston movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular AOA Moving Services, LLC	Get A Quote	4.58 overall rating	75 Gardner St, Boston, MA, 02134 (857) 444-3000
most popular Bellhop Moving	Get A Quote	3.86 overall rating	92 King St, Boston, MA, 02112 (617) 370-5080
Boston Best Rate Movers	Get A Quote	5 overall rating	252R Calvary St, Waltham, MA, 02453 (617) 787-3528

Visit our best long distance movers in Boston page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Detroit

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Comeback City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Detroit.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Corktown
• Brush Park
• Woodbridge
• Downtown
• Lafayette Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Sherwood Forest
• Palmer Woods
• University District
• Corktown
• Lafayette Park

What to do in Detroit

These are some of the best things to do in your new Michigan home.

• Detroit Institute of Arts
• Detroit Riverwalk
• Motown Museum
• Belle Isle Park
• Charles H Wright Museum of African American History
• Campus Martius Park
• Detroit Zoo
• Historic Fort Wayne
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Michigan Science Center
• Comerica Park
• Fox Theatre
• Heidelberg Project
• The Spirit of Detroit
• GM Renaissance Center
• The BELT
• Detroit Princess Riverboat
• People Mover
• Fisher Building
• Greenfild Village
• Z Park Garage
• Detroit Historical Museum
• Hart Plaza
• Third Man Records
• Detroit Masonic Temple
• John K. King Used & Rare Books
• “Reflector” Art Installation
• Eastern Market
• Dequindre Cut Greenway
• Milliken State Park and Harbor

Get your sports on!

• Detriot Tigers (MLB)
• Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
• Detroit Lions (NFL)
• Detroit Pistons (NBA)

Helpful moving resources