Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Boston to Philadelphia typically costs $1,800–$4,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 307 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Boston to Philadelphia
Moving from Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA typically costs $1,800–$4,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 307-mile move from Boston to Philadelphia, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $298 for a studio apartment using a rental truck.
- PODS recently quoted $1,442 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
- Roadway Moving recently quoted $2,409 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Feb 15, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 13, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 27, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 24, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 11, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 04, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 03, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 27, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 22, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 08, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Boston to Philadelphia
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,100, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $7,300.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Boston, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($300–$900) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA guide.
Best Boston to Philadelphia movers by type
Professional
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Local
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Boston to Philadelphia
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Boston to Philadelphia, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best MA→PA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 107 Massachusetts moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Boston to Philadelphia
Many movers find Philadelphia easier on the wallet than Boston - roughly 47% less for singles and 45% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,541 for one person in Philadelphia versus $4,820 in Boston. For a family of four, it's $6,190 compared with $11,304.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Boston | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,361 | $1,791 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,973 | $3,116 |
| Average home value | $739,121 | $216,914 |
| Average income (per capita) | $89,212 | $70,746 |
| Cost of living (single) | $4,820 | $2,541 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,304 | $6,190 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 6.25% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 9.0% | 3.07% |
- If you're heading to Philadelphia from Boston, you'll find that rent is roughly 50% cheaper, potentially boosting your monthly savings.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 71% less in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 21% lower in Philadelphia compared to Boston.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Philadelphia. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 47% lower than in Boston.
- Choosing to move to Philadelphia can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 45% less than in Boston.
- In Philadelphia, the unemployment rate is approximately 71% higher than in Boston, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes rise by 28% in Philadelphia over Boston, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 66% less in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Boston and Philadelphia:
| Living Expense | Boston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $203.15 | $269.29 |
| Cell phone plan | $57.53 | $61.40 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.71 | $4.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.07 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $135.00 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $77.50 | $48.67 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Boston than in Philadelphia, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Boston than in Philadelphia.
- Eggs cost more in Boston than in Philadelphia.
- Bread costs less in Boston than in Philadelphia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Boston than in Philadelphia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Boston than in Philadelphia.
- Gym memberships cost more in Boston than in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Boston vs. Philadelphia
| Boston | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 675,647 | 1,603,797 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 98 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 86 | 67 |
| Crime index | 39.88 | 66.09 |
| Safety index | 60.12 | 33.91 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Philadelphia's population is about 137% greater than Boston.
- Philadelphia's public transportation score is within about 5% of Boston, making them very similar.
- Philadelphia is less walkable than Boston with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Boston's 98 out of 100.
- Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Boston, which has a score of 86.
- Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than Boston with a score of 66.09 compared to Boston's 39.88. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88%.
- Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Boston with a score of 33.91 vs Boston's 60.12.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in Boston it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Boston to Philadelphia move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Pennsylvania doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Philadelphia. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Philadelphia
Now that you've decided to make the move to Philly, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bella Vista
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
Things to do in Philadelphia
Once you're settled into your new home in Pennsylvania, it's time to get out and discover what Philadelphia has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Philadelphia, such as the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, and Museum of the American Revolution.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)Philadelphia Union (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Boston to Philadelphia?
The best time to move from Boston to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Boston to Philadelphia, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Boston to Philadelphia take?
Moving from Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA covers 307 miles and usually takes one to four days. Need to move faster? Some Boston movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.
Which movers in Boston give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers give special rates to military members. 2 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Boston?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 86 movers in Boston advertise piano moving expertise. 57 movers in Boston provide antique moving services. State totals show 93 piano movers and 65 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
