What Does Moving in Boston Cost?
Local moves within Boston are billed by the hour. The final cost depends on the size of your home, the building type, access conditions, and the time of year. Here are the factors that most directly affect your Boston move cost:
Building access: A third-floor triple-decker walk-up takes significantly longer than a ground-floor unit with a loading dock. Stair count is one of the largest variables in Boston moving costs.
Truck proximity: If we can park within 50 feet of your front door, the move is faster. If the truck is a block away because no parking was available, every item takes longer to carry.
Typical cost considerations include:
- Hourly rates usually starting around $140-$190 for two movers and a truck
- Larger homes requiring three or four movers, often $190-$280 per hour
- Additional time for stairs, long carry distances, or heavy furniture
- Packing and unpacking services, if requested
Requesting a detailed estimate in advance helps ensure pricing reflects the actual scope of your move.
Packing and Unpacking Services
Professional packing services help protect fragile items, electronics, and furniture using proper materials and organized labeling. This reduces the risk of damage and makes unloading more efficient.
Unpacking assistance allows essential rooms to be set up quickly after delivery, helping you settle into your new home with less disruption. For full packing services, contact our team to schedule a pre-move assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a moving permit in Boston?
It is not legally required for all moves, but we strongly recommend it. A permit costs $69 for two non-metered spaces and gives you a legally reserved spot for your truck from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Without a permit, you risk having no place to park, which adds time and cost to your move. In neighborhoods like the South End, Back Bay, and Fenway, a permit is essentially a necessity.
How far in advance should I book for September 1st?
Book by April or May. September 1st is the busiest moving day in the United States, concentrated in one city. Every reputable moving company in the Boston area fills its September schedule months ahead. Apply for your parking permit as early as the 8-week window allows, especially in Allston, Brighton, Back Bay, South End, and Fenway.
What is Storrowing?
“Storrowing” is aBoston term for getting a moving truck stuck under a low-clearance bridge on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, or Memorial Drive. The bridge clearances are as low as 9 feet, while moving trucks are 11 to 13.5 feet tall. Standard GPS apps do not warn about these restrictions. Our drivers never use these roads and always route through truck-safe alternatives.
What is a COI and do I need one?
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document from your moving company’s insurer naming your building as additional insured. Most Boston apartment buildings and condo associations require a COI before allowing movers to access the property. We provide COI documentation at no additional cost. Let us know your building’s requirements and we will have the certificate ready before moving day.
Do you serve all Boston neighborhoods?
Yes. We serve all 23 Boston neighborhoods: Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, Seaport, South Boston, South End, West End, and West Roxbury. We also serve all surrounding cities and towns, and handle long-distance moves to any destination.
Plan Your Move in Boston
Get a free, no-obligation estimate for your Boston move. Call us at 508-904-2029 or request a quote online. For September 1st moves, book early. For any move, tell us your neighborhood, your building type, and your floor level, and we will give you an accurate estimate that reflects how Boston moves actually work.
