2019 Moving to Boston Relocation Guide
Welcome to 2019 Ultimate Moving to Boston Relocation Guide! Before this big step, find out all important information about Boston.
Take a look at the list of basic daily expenses, transportation costs, basic leisure, and recreation costs and housing and utilities cost in Boston.
Every information regarding costs and pricing is compared with average US pricing.
For moving tips in general check out our Moving Checklist and Paperwork page.
Welcome to the city of firsts, welcome to one of the most historic and innovative cities in the USA. Welcome to Boston. Boston is the largest city in New England, filled with museums, art venues and historical sights, the city is one of the ten most popular tourist locations in the country. Welcome to the birthplace of the subway, public parks, public beaches and schools.
Boston is the city of education, health, recreation, technology, and innovation. You will find numerous diverse districts offering something for everyone. You will never run out of things to do. Boston is extremely family-friendly, and it is also one of the safest cities to live in the United States.
The city that is known as "The City of Higher Learning" (due to the number of world's best of universities and colleges) and "The Athens of America," due to an amazing cultural scene will provide you with the best quality of life. Surrounded by beautiful nature Boston provides countless recreation options. Apart from that, Boston is also a sports city as it is home to some of the most popular professional sports teams.
Boston is a city that combines history and innovation. There are a lot of pros of living in educational, financial and commercial centers but the city on the hills is not for everyone. There are a few things that some may consider being a pro of living in Boston, while others can take it as a con. Never the less, moving to Boston will be a unique and big challenge so you will want to be as prepared as possible. Go ahead and read all about the pros and cons of moving to the City of Boston:
You can find a prolific job opportunity in almost any industry in Boston. Currently, the most popular and best-paid jobs are in Technology, Financial and Life Sciences Sector. Apart from that, Boston is a city of Universities and Health Care which are also providing great job opportunities. Some of the most important companies have offices in Boston, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and others. You will find a lot of start-up companies and entrepreneurs in the city too.
Boston Public School system is constantly growing and you will find more than 125 schools in the city at the moment. You will find top schools in almost every neighborhood so schools are not a big factor when choosing the part of the city that you will live in. Most importantly, Boston is home to several world-class institutions including Harvard, Cambridge, Boston University and MIT.
In terms of History, Boston is probably the richest city in the USA. S many firsts occurred in this city and you will find numerous historic attractions to visit. There are also world-famous art and culture venues. Boston is filled with small museums, amateur art galleries, and hubs. You will also enjoy one of the best music scenes in the country, with many new, underground musicians and singers who are constantly working o creating new genres.
Never running out of things to do is one of the biggest pros of living in any big city. In Boston, you will have the opportunity of doing anything you want at almost any time. You can explore art and culture, listen to live music, enjoy shopping, chill in the parks, visit the beach, go on road trips and of course, catch a live sports game. There are also numerous festivals and fairs especially during the summer.
Almost all of the citizens share a love for professional sports in the city. There are championship teams all over the city in a variety of sports. Some of the most popular professional sports teams are based in Boston, including The New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and New England Revolution. Boston is also home to the Boston Bruins, the third oldest NHL team, founded in 1924.
Boston is an extremely walkable city. Walking is a great way to get to know the city and start feeling like a local. There are a lot of parks, and the streets are pedestrian-friendly if you find the right neighborhood you may not even need to use public transport, and you won't need to own a car.
Apart from the great schools, you will also have a number of things to enjoy with your kids. Boston is also one of the safest cities to live in the USA. Crime rates are really low, much lower than in other major cities and lower than the USA average.
Public Transportation in Boston has its share of problems, it can run late sometimes and it can get a little confusing. On the other hand, there are so many different options and you can get to every part of the city using public transport, you won't need to own the car. You will find transportation lines for any destination, and the tickets are very affordable.
You will find that Boston is very well-positioned, and you will have the opportunity to take numerous day trips and weekend getaways. You won't have to travel long to reach some of the best spots along the Atlantic coast. Wheater is not that great in Boston but it will give you the opportunity to enjoy winter activities as well.
Boston is a very diverse city, which also means that the culinary scene provides an array of different styles, ethnicities, and cultures. You will get the taste of the best seafood, Chinese meals, and Indian cuisine. The fast-food scene is also amazing, and you can find great pizza, burgers or barbeque around every corner.
If you are moving from New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco, housing costs will not surprise you. But if you are moving from any other city you will find it really hard to afford to buy a house in Boston. Especially if you want to live close to the city center. Living costs are also high in Boston, everyday costs are a bit higher than the USA average and you will have to adjust your savings. On the bright side, salaries are higher and job opportunities are great.
The public transportation system is great, but the traffic is extremely bad. If you find yourself on the road during the rush hours you can get stuck in there for hours. Choose a neighborhood that is close to your job and try to embrace the walking. Even if you are not using a car, you can get sick of the crowd in the subways. Parking is also one of the biggest challenges in the city.
Boston is one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S. New people are constantly coming to live in this city, and you may have a problem with the constant crowd. On the bright side, this also means that you will have the opportunity to meet a lot of different people, and if you really need your peace, getaways spot are close and you can find your quiet place easily.
Winters in Boston can be brutal. It gets extremely cold, and you will face a lot of snowstorms. Summers can get humid and hot and there is a lot of rain during spring months. On the bright side, autumn is breathtaking in Boston.
There are only seven off-leash dog parks in the city and they will get banned from many open spaces. Dogs are not welcome in most of the stores and cafes and you can receive a $25 ticket if you violate the off-leash laws.
Moving to the city as big and important as Boston is a big and challenging step. You will need to get used to living and housing costs, public transportation, history, sports, and diverse neighborhoods. You will have to make a lot of adjustments, but it will pay off, Boston will offer so many different opportunities. Here are 10 TIPS about moving to Boston, 10 facts that will help you prepare for this step.
This ultimate moving checklist will help you complete your moving without stress.
There are certain costs associated with moving that most people tend to neglect. Even if you have opted for a self-moving job that does not involve hiring a professional moving company, you will have to pay extra for certain things. Here is a list of moving and packing costs you may have forgotten.
If you plan to move on a budget and want to fo the packing yourself, you must know that you will need to invest in packing supplies like boxes, tape or bubble wrap.
During the move something almost always brake. Getting moving insurance is always recommended. Most of the moving companies offer insurance and you can decide how much to get, considering how valuable your things are.
For renting new space start-up costs include things like your first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, a pet deposit or an application fee.
If you are buying start-up costs are much bigger. They include closing costs for your new mortgage which is often measured in thousands of dollars. Average closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the cost of your home. These costs include things like a fee for running your credit report, a loan origination fee, attorney’s fees, the cost of a home inspection, a title search, an appraisal fee, and a survey fee, etc.
You can expect extra costs for boarding your pets. Often enough, people tend to move their pets overnight, that way pets are not exposed to the stress.
Some of the moving companies will ask you to pay a stair fee.
It is always best to check with moving companies about extra fees and inform them about your large items, like piano or pool table, in advance. That way you will avoid surprises on a moving day.
There are professionals who are trained to handle valuable items. Packing and moving valuable items is more complex than regular moving. So you can expect to pay extra on moving those kinds of pieces.
Sometimes, you don't want to bring all of your things to your new home, but you don't want to throw them either. If you find yourself in this situation you will have to find storage space for those things. Having to store items could mean an additional monthly expense.
While you shouldn't get rid of everything before a move, there are going to be some items that you're not going to want to bring to your new space.
Your movers are doing a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, and they deserve to be compensated. Just note, that tips are always expected by your movers.
Here you can find a list of shipping costs. Please note that the cost of international shipping (calculated with reallymoving) is solely the cost of shipping itself, while the cost of shipping within the United States (calculated with moving.com) also includes other additional expenses. Costs are calculated for moving entire two bedroom home, in the next three monts.
| International | Cost |
|---|---|
| Vancouver (Canada) | $3,800 - $5,200 |
| Sydney (Australia) | $4,500 - $6,100 |
| Auckland (New Zealand) | $4,500 - $6,100 |
| Beijing (China) | $4,700 - $6,400 |
| Tokyo (Japan) | $4,500 - $6,100 |
| Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | $3,600 - $5,900 |
| Mexico City (Mexico) | $3,100 - $5,200 |
| London (United Kingdom) | $3,300 - $4,500 |
| Dublin (Ireland) | $3,600 - $4,900 |
| Singapore | $4,500 - $6,100 |
| United States | Cost |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $5,214 - $6,658 |
| Denver, Colorado | $4,182 - $5,313 |
| Los Angeles, California | $5,100 - $6,510 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $3,104 - $3,909 |
| Austin, Texas | $4,052 - $5,143 |
| New York, New York | $2,294 - $2,856 |
| Washington, DC | $2,463 - $3,074 |
| Seattle, Washington | $4,978 - $6,351 |
| San Diego, California | $5,109 - $6,521 |
| Miami, Florida | $3,610 - $4,567 |
Boston's living costs are higher than the national average. Housing costs and rent are cheaper then in New York or San Francisco, but if you are used to average prices you will need to figure out can you afford to live in this city. There are a lot of considerations to take into account when you move anywhere, let alone an expensive city like Boston. If moving to Boston is the next step you will probably need to get informed about the cost of basic and personal necessities in this city. For more information about living costs visit numbeo or expatistan.
$139.72
$0.09
$67.24
4.27
| Food | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Meal in Inexpensive Restaurant | $15 | $14.50 |
| Mcmeal at Mcdonalds (or Equivalent) | $8 | $7.00 |
| Water (1.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.82 | $1.45 |
| Milk (Regular), (1 gallon) | $3.3 | $3.11 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | $2.64 | $2.36 |
| Eggs (Regular) (12) | $2.54 | $2.27 |
| Chicken Breasts (1 lb) | $5.83 | $3.85 |
| Potato (1 lb) | $1.74 | $1.1 |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.17 | $2.02 |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $5.83 | $4.74 |
| Child Care | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Monthly | $1,706.89 | $886.18 |
| International Primary School, Yearly | $23,803.33 | $17,116.12 |
| Self Care | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Private Doctor Short Visit | $179 | $112 |
| Box of Antibiotics | $11 | $17 |
| Tube of Toothpaste | $2.52 | $1.78 |
| Hair Shampoo 2-in-1 | $5.12 | $4.77 |
| Deodorant, Roll-on | $4.31 | $3.39 |
| Toilet Paper - 4 Rolls | $3.77 | $3.41 |
| 1 Box of 32 Tampons | $7 | $7 |
| Transportation | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport - One-way Ticket | $2.48 | $2.20 |
| Local Transport - Monthly Pass | $87 | $70.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $2.83 | $3.25 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $3.8 | $1.71 |
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $2.81 | $2.77 |
| Housing | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1 Bedroom) - City Centre | $2,536.40 | $1,291.27 |
| Apartment (1 Bedroom) | $1,824.41 | $1,015.10 |
| Buy Apartment in City Centre - Per Sq Ft | $944.50 | $239.62 |
| Buy Apartment - Per Sq Ft | $435.81 | $173.92 |
| Hourly Rate for Cleaning Help | $33 | $21 |
| Leisure and Recreation | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness Club Monthly Fee, 1 Adult | $58.8 | $36.17 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $15 | $15.14 |
| 2 Movie Tickets | $27 | $25 |
| 2 Theater Tickets (Best Available Seats) | $248 | $171 |
| Coke/pepsi (Small Bottle) | $1.9 | $1.80 |
| Cappuccino (Regular) | $4 | $4.07 |
| Domestic Beer (500ml) | $7 | $6.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | $15 | $12.00 |
| 1 Cocktail Drink | $13 | $12.00 |
| Marlboro Cigarettes 20 Pack | $11 | $7.25 |
| Clothing | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 or Similar) | $46.6 | $43.12 |
| Summer Dress (Zara, H&m or Similar) | $30.58 | $34.67 |
| Pair of Nike Running Shoes | $76.59 | $73.84 |
| Pair of Men Leather Shoes | $102.87 | $94.36 |
| Laundry Detergent (3 L.) | $13 | $11 |
Average Yearly Salary in Boston is $72,181
Currently, most popular and best-paid jobs in Boston are:
All the information is provided by Glassdoor and Payscale where you can get more detailed information about the job of interest. If you don't have a specific job in mind, you can also check this list of 10 common jobs and professions in the United States with an average salary for each of them.
| Job | Boston | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $24,293/yr | $22,711/yr |
| Receptionist | $33,163/yr | $29,844/yr |
| Repair Technician | $41,196/yr | $32,606/yr |
| Actor | $43,209/yr | $37,208/yr |
| Registered Nurse | $73,242/yr | $69,270/yr |
| Secretary | $38,594/yr | $31,279/yr |
| Preschool Teacher | $33,994/yr | $28,973/yr |
| High School Teacher | $57,187/yr | $51,027/yr |
| Lawyer | $109,865/yr | $141,470/yr |
| Truck Driver | $65,376/yr | $57,062/yr |
The City of Boston
Officially the City of Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States, as well as the 21st most populous city in the United States. The city is the economic, educational and cultural center of New England. Boston is one of the oldest municipalities in the United States, and it is home to many firsts, including the United States' first public park, first public school, and first subway system. Today, Boston is a thriving city of higher education, technology, medical institutions, and innovation.
boston.gov
access.wa.gov
English
Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian, French, Vietnamese, Russian, Italian, Arabic and other.
617 and 857
02108–02137, 02163, 02196, 02199, 02201, 02203–02206, 02210–02212, 02215, 02217, 02222, 02126, 02228, 02241, 02266, 02283–02284, 02293, 02295, 02297–02298, 02467
Land: 48.42 sq mi (125.41 km2)
Water: 41.21 sq mi (106.73 km2)
| Boston Demographics by Race | ||
|---|---|---|
| White | 353,062 | 52.76% |
| Asian | 63,408 | 9.48% |
| Other Race | 47,900 | 7.16% |
| Black or African American | 169,042 | 25.26% |
| Two or More Races | 33,091 | 4.95% |
| Native American | 2,479 | 0.37% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 176 | 0.03% |
Single Filing Status, Average Boston Salary ($72,181) Taxes:
Percent of income to taxes = 33%.
For more personal information calculate your taxes with smartasset.
Despite has a reputation of beeing safe place to live in. This does not mean that the crime problem doesn't exist. However, compared with other U.S. metro areas of its size, Boston's crime rates are relatively low. Boston crime index by numbeo is 34.46 (Low).
List of flight costs, from Boston to other major cities. Based on the cheapest flights from skyscanner, booked one month ahead.
