($1,414) Movers From Chicago, IL to Boston, MA

What to know before moving from Chicago to Boston

• Rent prices in Boston are 66% higher than in Chicago.
• Home prices in Boston are 149.9% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in Boston is 24.7% higher than in Chicago.
• The cost of living for a single person in Boston is 14.0% higher than in Chicago.
• The cost of living for a family in Boston is 13.8% higher than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Boston is 31.11% lower than in Chicago.
• Sales taxes in Boston are 39.02% lower than in Chicago.
• State income taxes in Boston are 81.82% higher than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,419.53 in Boston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Boston

• Boston's population is about 75% less than Chicago.
• Boston's public transportation has a similar score to Chicago.
• Boston is more walkable than Chicago with a score of 98 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
• With a score of 86 out of 100, Boston is more bike-friendly than Chicago, which has a score of 72 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Boston's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 39.88 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
• Boston is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 60.12 vs Chicago's 33.87.
• Air quality in Boston is good, and in Chicago it's good.

Other things to consider for your Chicago 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: 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 forwarded to Boston. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

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.

Helpful moving resources