The best local movers for Philadelphia to Boston moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Philadelphia that also handles long-distance moves to Boston. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated 68 local movers in Philadelphia who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Philadelphia to Boston.
- Bellhop Moving: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Anchor Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Suburban Solutions Moving & Transport: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Transtar Moving Systems: 4.48 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 125550
Years in Business: 51
DOT #: 125550
Alternate Names: Anchor Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 10
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 373544
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Gentle Giant Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 39PC00058806
Years in Business: 63
DOT #: 939629
Alternate Names: A Action Family Moving Company, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to Boston?
The average hourly rate for movers in Pennsylvania is $143. Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $894 – $2,877 | $624 – $1,377 | $317 – $577 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,581 – $4,322 | $1,045 – $2,111 | $325 – $691 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,251 – $6,103 | $1,453 – $2,573 | $414 – $809 |
Cost to hire movers from Philadelphia to Boston
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Philadelphia to Boston will cost between $894 and $2,877. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Philadelphia to Philadelphia will range from $1,581 to $4,322, and a large move from Philadelphia to Boston will cost from $2,251 to $6,103.
Cost of moving containers from Philadelphia to Boston
If you’re moving from Philadelphia to Boston, expect to pay between $624 and $1,377 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,045 up to $2,111. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,453 and $2,573. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Pennsylvania.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Boston
Renting a moving truck from Philadelphia to Boston is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $317 and $577. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $325 and $691. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $414 up to $809 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Philadelphia to Boston
The cost of Philadelphia movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,153, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $5,148.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Philadelphia, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($317–$753) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Boston
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Boston runs about 90% higher for singles and 83% higher for families than Philadelphia.
Singles spend around $4,820 in Philadelphia versus $2,541 in Philadelphia; families pay $11,304 compared with $6,190.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Philadelphia | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,791 | $3,361 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,116 | $5,973 |
| Average home value | $216,914 | $739,121 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,746 | $89,212 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,541 | $4,820 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,190 | $11,304 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.2% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 6.25% |
| State income tax | 3.07% | 9.0% |
- Rent is estimated to be 101% higher in Boston compared to Philadelphia; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 241% greater in Boston than in Philadelphia.
- Here’s some promising news: the average income is around 26% higher in Boston than in Philadelphia, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Boston, since the cost of living for a single person in Boston is 90% higher than in Philadelphia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Boston, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Boston is 83% greater than in Philadelphia.
- Boston enjoys an unemployment rate that’s roughly 42% lower compared to Philadelphia, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes drop 22% in Boston compared to Philadelphia, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 193% higher in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Philadelphia and Boston:
| Living Expense | Philadelphia | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $269.29 | $203.15 |
| Cell phone plan | $61.40 | $57.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.30 | $4.71 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.15 | $4.07 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $90.00 | $135.00 |
| Gym membership | $48.67 | $77.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- Eggs are less expensive in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- Bread is more expensive in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Philadelphia than in Boston.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Philadelphia than in Boston.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Boston
| Philadelphia | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,603,797 | 675,647 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 98 |
| Bike friendliness score | 67 | 86 |
| Crime index | 66.09 | 39.88 |
| Safety index | 33.91 | 60.12 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Boston’s population is about 58% less than Philadelphia.
- Boston’s public transportation score is within about 5% of Philadelphia, making them very similar.
- Boston is more walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 98 out of 100 vs Philadelphia’s 75 out of 100.
- With a score of 86 out of 100, Boston is more bike-friendly than Philadelphia, which has a score of 67 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Boston’s crime rate is lower than Philadelphia with a score of 39.88 compared to Philadelphia’s 66.09. This means that Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09%.
- Boston is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 60.12 vs Philadelphia’s 33.91.
- Air quality in Boston is Good, and in Philadelphia it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Philadelphia to Boston 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: Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Massachusetts 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 Boston. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Alabama and Massachusetts, Released Value Protection is a no-cost option provided by movers but offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. If you seek full value coverage for your items, consider consulting with your moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Boston
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to Athens of America, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Boston.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Allston-Brighton
- Back Bay-Beacon Hill
- East Boston
- Jamaica Plain
- South Boston
Best neighborhoods for families
- Charlestown
- East Boston
- Hyde Park
- Roslindale
- West Roxbury
Things to do in Boston
Once you’re settled into your new home in Massachusetts, it’s time to get out and discover what Boston has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Boston, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, and Museum of Science.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, Arnold Arboretum, and Charles River Esplanade — 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 Boston Red Sox (MLB)Boston Bruins (NHL)Boston Celtics (NBA)New England Patriots (NFL)New England Revolution (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Boston?
The best time to move from Philadelphia to Boston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Philadelphia.
When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to Boston?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Philadelphia to Boston, 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 Philadelphia to Boston take?
Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, covers 305 miles and usually takes one to four days. Need to move faster? Some Philadelphia movers offer expedited options. If you’re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Boston.
Which movers in Philadelphia give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers here honor AAA discounts. 1 movers give special rates to military members. 1 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 Philadelphia?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 53 movers in Philadelphia advertise piano moving expertise. 41 movers in Philadelphia provide antique moving services. State totals show 77 piano movers and 55 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,303 and 1,466.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
Helpful moving resources
Philadelphia moving services
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