Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA averages from $352 to $4,679 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Boston, MA. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

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

Best Philadelphia to Boston movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from Philadelphia to Boston.
How much will your move cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving costs.
Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
Philadelphia to Boston car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.

Moving 306 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

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

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$949 - $3,053	$631 - $1,506	$327 - $594
2 - 3 bedrooms	$1,661 - $4,679	$1,143 - $2,174	$352 - $705
4+ bedrooms	$2,437 - $6,350	$1,510 - $2,757	$435 - $842

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 306 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Philadelphia to Boston will depend on:

Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Who Are The Best Philadelphia to Boston Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines Best customer service	Get A Quote	4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Philadelphia to Boston?

To ship furniture from Philadelphia to Boston with a mover will cost between $949 to $3,053. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $1,661 to $4,679, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Philadelphia to Boston will cost from $2,437 to $6,350.

How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to Boston?

Moving containers from Philadelphia to Boston will cost you $631 to $1,506 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,143 to $2,174. A larger home will cost $1,510 to $2,757.

How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia to Boston?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $327 to $594. A larger move will cost $352 to $705, and a 4+ bedroom move from Philadelphia to Boston costs from $435 to $842.

How to ship a car from Philadelphia to Boston

Now that you've picked from the top movers for your belongings, it's time to choose an experienced and reputable Philadelphia to Boston car shipper.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company	Quote	Rating	Price
	Check prices	5 overall rating
	Check prices	4.75 overall rating
	Check prices	4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA a good idea?

Cost of Living: Philadelphia vs Boston

	Philadelphia	Boston
Average rent cost	$1,400	$2,525
Average home value	$227,569	$718,756
Average income (per capita)	$65,077	$79,018
Cost of Living (single person)	$1,068	$1,159
Cost of Living (family of 4)	$3,813	$4,173
Unemployment rate	11.0%	6.0%
Sales Tax	8.0%	6.25%
State Income Tax	3.07%	5.0%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent Prices in Boston, MA are 80% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
Home Prices in Boston, MA are 215.8% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
Income in Boston, MA is 21.4% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
Cost of Living for a single person in Boston, MA is 8.5% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
Cost of Living for a family in Boston, MA is 9.4% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
Unemployment rate in Boston, MA is 45.45% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
Sales Taxes in Boston, MA are 21.88% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
State Income Taxes in Boston, MA are 62.87% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,744.4 in Boston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How is life different in Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA?

	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	26.45	39.3
Safety Index	62.78	37.1
Air Quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Boston’s population is about 58% less than Philadelphia.
Boston’s public transportation is not as good as Philadelphia with a score of 9 vs 9.
Boston is more walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 98 vs 75.
Boston is more bike-friendly than Philadelphia with a score of 86 vs 67.
Boston's crime rate is lower than Philadelphia with a score of 26.45 compared to 39.3.
Boston is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 62.78 vs 37.1.
Air Quality in Boston is Good, and in Philadelphia it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to Boston, MA

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: 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: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
State Regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
Moving Permits: Massachusetts 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 forward to Boston. Get started here.
Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local Philadelphia Movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Bellhop most popular	Get A Quote	4.52 overall rating	230 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, 19102 (215) 309-9775
Gentle Giant Moving Company	Get A Quote	4.8 overall rating	1450 S Warfield Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19146 (267) 606-4210
EverSafe Moving Co.	Get A Quote	4.72 overall rating	8701 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19136 (215) 821-8547