Local moving companies in Boston
- Boston Best Rate Movers: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Esquire Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Oscar's Moving Company, LLC: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- StairHopper Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Oscar's Moving Company: 4.9 out of 5 stars
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.
Esquire Moving & Storage

DOT #: 2820253
Pricing: $115/hr
Years in Business: 10
25 Summer Ave, Waltham, MA 02452 USMoving doesn't have to be stressful, as shown by Esquire Moving & Storageโs customer feedback. Of 16 reviews analyzed, 93.8% praised fast and careful service, courteous movers, efficient scheduling, and clear communication. Clients noted excellent care with breakables, friendly crews, and easy booking every step of the way. Many appreciated timely arrivals and efficient work, reflecting well-planned moves and attentive staff. Some even mentioned repeat positive experiences and highly recommend the company for both local and interstate moves. One customer noted higher costs due to slow progress and perceived inefficiency, expressing dissatisfaction specific to a single event. Compared to other companies, Esquire stands out for consistently professional movers and careful attention to clientsโ property, but those seeking the lowest rates should confirm pricing transparency beforehand.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2820253
Alternative Business Names
- Esquire Moving Inc
Oscar's Moving Company, LLC

DOT #: 1637689
Years in Business: 17
86 Rowe St, Auburndale, MA 02466 USCustomer feedback paints Oscar's Moving Company as a reliable moving choice, with 70% of input rating their experience as positive out of 151 reviews analyzed. Professionalism, attention to careful handling, efficiency, quick service, and affordable pricing stand out as strengths. Many praised the staff for being on time, friendly, and taking great care with fragile or valuable belongingsโtraits that distinguish Oscar's in a crowded industry. Negative feedback (29%) focuses on damage to items, surprise charges, or interactions seen as rude or dismissive. Reports of damaged furniture or lost items, as well as unexpected costs, have caused frustration for some. Oscar's scores higher than many local movers on professionalism and reliability, though a smaller portion of customers experienced issues with claims or communication after a problem arose. Most reviews recommend Oscar's for moves that require speed, careful handling, and fair pricing, while those concerned about potential for item damage may want to discuss insurance options or clarify estimates ahead of time.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1637689
- State license #: 1637689
Alternative Business Names
- Oscar's Moving Company
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
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
Key factors that impact the cost of your Boston to New York City move
What to know before moving from Boston to New York City
Moving from Boston to New York City comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since New York City is generally more expensive than Boston, itโs 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:
Boston | New York City | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $3,400 | $4,340 |
Average home value | $739,121 | $752,778 |
Average income (per capita) | $89,212 | $78,058 |
Cost of living (single person) | $4,820 | $5,683 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,304 | $15,081 |
Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 11.2% |
Sales tax | 6.25% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 9.0% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in New York City are 28% higher than in Boston, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Boston.
Home prices in New York City are 1.8% higher than in Boston. - Income in New York City is 12.5% lower than in Boston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in New York City include IBM, PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co..
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in New York City, since the cost of living for a single person in New York City is 17.9% higher than in Boston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to New York City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New York City is 33.4% higher than in Boston.
- The unemployment rate in New York City is 80.65% higher than in Boston.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in New York City, since the cityโs sales taxes in New York City are 28.00% higher than in Boston.
- State income taxes in New York City are 21.11% higher than in Boston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,537.14 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.
How life is different in Boston vs. New York City
New York City | Boston | |
---|---|---|
Population | 8,258,035 | 675,647 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 10 | 9 |
Walkability score | 88 | 98 |
Bike friendliness score | 69 | 86 |
Crime Index | 50.83 | 39.88 |
Safety Index | 49.17 | 60.12 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of New York City is about 1,122% 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.
- New York City offers better access to buses and trains than Boston, based on public transportation ratings. New York City has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 9 in Boston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- New York City neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boston. Based on its score of 88 out of 100, New York City 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 New York City, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boston. While Boston has a bike-friendliness score of 86 out of 100, New York City earned a 69. 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 New York City 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 50.83 in New York City, 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 New York City. With a crime index of 49.17, New York City 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 New York City 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. New York City move
- Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26ยฐF to 87ยฐF. Temps are rarely below 10ยฐF or above 95ยฐF.
- 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a New York moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: New York 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 New York City. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in New York City
Ready to relocate to "Big Apple"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in New York City.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Astoria, Queens
- Lower East Side, Manhattan
- Murray Hill, Manhattan
- Upper East Side, Manhattan
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Best neighborhoods for families
- Battery Park City, Manhattan
- Forest Hills, Queens
- Great Kills, Staten Island
- Park Slope, Brooklyn
- Riverdale, Bronx
Things to do in New York City
After settling into your new New York home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, New York City has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: New York City is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Met Cloisters, New York Public Library, and Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Central Park, The High Line, Bryant Park, and Washington Square 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 Brooklyn Nets (NBA), Long Island Nets (NBA G League), New York City FC (MLS), or New York Giants (NFL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Boston to New York City?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Boston to New York City are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Boston are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Boston to New York City?
With many people choosing to move from Boston to New York City in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Boston to New York City take?
Moving from Boston, MA to New York City, NY covers 215 miles and usually takes one to two days. Need to move faster? Some Boston movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in New York City.