Quick answer: A move from Philadelphia to Boston costs $437–$5,578 and takes one to four 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 306-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Boston to Philadelphia guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Best Professional Movers from Philadelphia to Boston
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Philadelphia to Boston isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your PA to MA move
Find trusted moving companies for your Philadelphia to Boston journey
Organizing a move from Philadelphia to Boston can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Philadelphia known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Philadelphia to Boston.
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Anchor Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- BR Moving: 4.62 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
State license #: 39PM00121400
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons of New Jersey LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
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 #: 8916888
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2508433
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to Boston?
Philadelphia movers charge $130 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,086 - $3,748 | $729 - $1,869 | $378 - $730 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,901 - $5,578 | $1,308 - $2,514 | $437 - $891 |
4+ bedrooms | $2,962 - $7,645 | $1,820 - $3,222 | $519 - $1,064 |
Cost to hire movers from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts will cost between $1,086 and $3,748. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from PA to MA will range from $1,901 to $5,578, and a large move from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts will cost from $2,962 to $7,645.
Cost of moving containers from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts
When you're heading from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $729 and $1,869. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,308 and $2,514. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,820 to $3,222. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Pennsylvania easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $378 and $730. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $437 to $891. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $519 and $1,064.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Factors that influence moving costs from Philadelphia to Boston
What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Boston
Moving from Philadelphia to Boston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Boston is generally more expensive than Philadelphia, it's 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:
Philadelphia | Boston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,695 | $3,400 |
Average home value | $216,914 | $739,121 |
Average income (per capita) | $70,746 | $89,212 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,541 | $4,820 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,190 | $11,304 |
Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.2% |
Sales tax | 8.0% | 6.25% |
State income tax | 3.07% | 9.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Boston, since prices are typically 101% higher than in Philadelphia.
- The home prices in Boston are 240.7% higher than in Philadelphia, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in Boston, where incomes are, on average, 26.1% higher than in Philadelphia. Major employers in Boston include General Electric, Fidelity Investments, and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Boston, since the cost of living for a single person in Boston is 89.7% higher than in Philadelphia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Boston, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Boston is 82.6% higher than in Philadelphia.
- The unemployment rate in Boston is 41.51% lower than in Philadelphia.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Boston, since the city's sales taxes in Boston are 21.88% lower than in Philadelphia.
- State income taxes in Boston are 193.16% higher than in Philadelphia.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,690.67 in Boston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Boston
Boston | Philadelphia | |
---|---|---|
Population | 675,647 | 1,603,797 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance 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 |
- Boston's population is about 58% less than Philadelphia.
- Boston's public transportation has a similar score to Philadelphia.
- 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 they are 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 vs. Boston move
- Weather: Boston summers are typically warm and humid, while winters are cold and stormy, with occasional periods of heavy snow. Spring and fall are usually cool to mild.
- 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: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Massachusetts moving license 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: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Boston. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
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
After getting comfortable in your new Massachusetts home, it's time to see what Boston is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Boston include museums and art centers like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, Museum of Science, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
- 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: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Boston Red Sox (MLB), Boston Bruins (NHL), Boston Celtics (NBA), or New England Patriots (NFL) 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?
With many people choosing to move from Philadelphia to Boston 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 Philadelphia to Boston take?
The 306-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to Boston, MA, takes one to four days. Some Philadelphia movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Boston.