Best movers in Boston, Mass.

Moving in Boston can be pretty complicated. Not only are there dozens of moving companies to choose from, but navigating its narrow streets and getting the proper permits can feel impossible at times. We've aimed to make your life a little easier by putting in the work to find the absolute best moving companies in Boston. Our expert team filtered through a list of 40 Boston movers, accounting for everything from customer reviews to licensing, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and services offered to come up with the top companies. We then reached out to all of the featured movers on our list to get information on pricing, deposits, hour minimums and additional fees to help you make an informed choice.

Quick overview

The best moving company in Boston for YOU

We gathered the five top Boston movers to make sure you have plenty of choice, but there's no single right mover for everyone. While every company on our list offers basic moving services, some may have more experience than others in specific services. When evaluating which moving company to choose, consider your move's unique needs and which company best fits them.

Whether or not you have any specialty needs, budget and availability are the two most important factors for your move. If you need to stick within a tight budget, consider each company's rates and any additional charges they may have, like travel or truck fees. The best value company on our list is Stairhopper Movers if budget is your main concern and you can get a discounted rate. Otherwise, with its low starting rates, Raimond's Movers is a great choice.

If you have an emergency move or inflexible move dates, you need a company that best accommodates your schedule. Note that movers are often busiest in the summer months, along with weekends and the beginning of the month, so they may not always be able to take on last-minute moves. Always try to schedule your move as early as possible, but Safe Responsible Movers is your best bet if you have an emergency move situation come up.

Table of contents

• Best overall mover in Boston

• Best value alternative Boston mover

• Best national moving company

• More best moving companies

• Why you can trust Yahoo Local moving advice

• Boston moving FAQs

• Methodology

Best moving companies in Boston, Mass.

Stairhopper Movers is the best overall Boston moving company

Stairhopper Movers has been operating in Boston since 2001, giving it nearly 24 years of navigating Beantown's complicated streets and neighborhoods. However, age isn't the only reason Stairhopper tops our list of the best Boston moving companies. Over its time in business, the company has earned a stellar reputation for fair prices, professionalism and speedy work that doesn't sacrifice safety for your stuff.

You can hire Stairhopper Movers for many different services, but local and residential moves are its main focus. The company is also authorized through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to perform interstate moves, so you're in good hands if your move takes you across state lines. If you need someone to help you pack your stuff and load a rental truck, Stairhopper has you covered there, too.

Pricing for Stairhopper Movers is very competitive. The company quoted us a rate of $155 per hour for a crew of three movers for a three-bedroom home move, which is very affordable for the area. Note, however, that this price was advertised in the quote as a discounted rate from $206.67 per hour, so you may see some fluctuation depending on the season.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing and unpacking

• Emergency moves

• Storage

• In-house moving

• Packing supplies

Every move has a three-hour minimum time commitment with Stairhopper, so you can expect to pay at least $465 at the discounted rate or $620 at the non-discounted rate for three movers. The rate includes everything in your move, so there shouldn't be any surprise fees to worry about. The one caveat is that Stairhopper requires a somewhat hefty $250 deposit to get your spot on the calendar, and it's non-refundable if you have to cancel.

Stairhopper operates a sizeable fleet of modern trucks that operate around the clock, and the company can accommodate emergency moves if you have something urgent come up. It also rents portable storage units to be dropped off at your home for stress-free loading. If you need some help moving furniture around the house, Stairhopper also offers in-home moving services to help rearrange.

With more than 5,000 online reviews, Stairhopper Movers maintains a 5-star rating on Google (4,372 reviews) and 4.8 stars with Yelp (641 reviews). The company is also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and no registered complaints. All Stairhopper Movers workers are full employees who undergo background checks.

You can call 857-928-0876 or visit the Stairhopper Movers website to book your move. The company's office is located at 20 Harvard St., Boston, Mass., 02129. It's open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Customer testimonial

I cannot say enough about the quality of the Stairhopper team helping me move out of a one bedroom in downtown Boston. Strong, caring, communicative and having fun. They made it look easy. - Bridget S., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Raimond's Movers is the top alternative Boston mover

Raimond's Movers gets its name from Raimond Gertsev, who cofounded the company with Dmitry Kaltsou in 2008 with the intent of slowly and carefully building a reliable, quality moving company for Boston customers. Nearly 17 years later, Gertsev and Kaltsou now operate one of the best moving companies in the Boston area with more than 500 reviews and nearly perfect scores across Google, Yelp and Angi. They accomplished all of this while operating on transparent pricing and a relatively simple set of moving services.

The main focus for Raimond's Movers is local and long-distance residential moving. The company is authorized through the Transportation Department to handle interstate moves, so moves across state lines are no big deal. It also has labor-only packing and loading services if you just need an extra set of hands to get your stuff ready to go.

One area where Raimond's Movers excels is in having transparent pricing. The company advertises its starting rates for different-sized crews prominently on its website, ranging from $119 per hour for two movers up to $299 per hour for five movers. However, these are just starting rates and may be higher during peak times and seasons. Notably, Raimond's has some of the lowest starting rates of companies on this list.

For our move, Raimond's Movers quoted us a rate of $199 per hour for a team of three movers for a three-bedroom home move. The rate includes all of the materials the moving team needs to wrap and protect your furniture. There's a three-hour minimum for every job, which means you can expect to pay at least $597 for labor.

Services offered

• Local moves

• Long-distance moving

• Packing and unpacking

• White glove services

• Transparent pricing

• Packing supplies

• Residential and commercial moves

In addition to the labor cost, Raimond's Movers charges a minimum of 45 minutes of travel time, based on your hourly rate, for every job. There's also a fuel surcharge based on estimated mileage. 

To lock in your move date, Raimond's Movers requires a $200 deposit. In most cases, all or some of your deposit is refundable, but Raimond's has different policies based on whether your move is scheduled on discounted or peak rate dates. The most generous policy leaves your deposit refundable if you cancel within 48 hours of notice. For the strictest policy (reserved for when the company is at its busiest), the deposit isn't refundable. Ask about the policy for your date before booking.

Beyond its regular moving service, Raimond's offers white-glove moving, an option for people who want to ensure the highest amount of care for their stuff with detailed cleanup afterward. It also offers overnight truck storage for a fee and more long-term climate-controlled storage for up to six months.

Raimond's Movers is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and no registered complaints. The company has a 4.8-star rating on Google (152 reviews) and 4.7 stars on Yelp (367 reviews). Raimond's background checks its employees.

You can call 617-681-8181 or visit the Raimond's Movers website to book your move. Its office is located at 515 Providence Hwy., Suite 202, Dedham, Mass., 02026. It's open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends.

Customer testimonial

The movers were awesome! They wrapped all my furniture and took care loading it all in to their truck. They worked fast and efficiently. All 3 movers were nice and made sure everything went were I wanted it to go at the new house. I will definitely recommend them to anyone that needs to be moved! - Derek M., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Safe Responsible Movers is a great emergency mover in Boston

Safe Responsible Movers started in 2008 when owner Chris Amaral gathered local artists and musicians to put together his moving company. In the years since, the company has earned a solid reputation in the area for its work ethic, experience and, yes, responsibility . Now, Safe Responsible Movers carries nearly perfect review scores across Google, Yelp and Angi.

The company offers a ton of different services in addition to standard household and apartment moves. Not only can you hire it for specialty senior moves (which can take a certain amount of finesse ), but it also tackles in-home moves as well for when you need some help rearranging furniture. However, it isn't currently authorized by USDOT to perform interstate moves.

Safe Responsible Movers quoted us a rate of $209 per hour for a team of three movers, which is higher than the average for the area. However, the company has a two-hour minimum for every job, so you can expect to pay at least $418 in labor. It also features a flat travel fee of a one-hour charge for every job, no matter the distance. Just note it doesn't currently accept credit or debit cards.

Services offered

• Local and statewide moves

• Packing and unpacking

• Emergency moves

• Senior moves

• Labor-only services

• Overnight storage

• Residential and commercial moves

Unlike most other movers on our list, Safe Responsible Movers doesn't require a deposit to lock in your move date. You can cancel your move without any drawbacks up to 72 hours before the big day. If you cancel within 72 hours of your move, you'll incur a $75 cancellation fee. If you cancel the day of, you'll be charged for the two-hour minimum plus the travel fee.

Safe Responsible Movers offers labor-only services to pack your stuff or load a rental truck (or portable moving container ) for you. It's also happy to take on jobs moving a single piece of furniture, whether you just sold an old piano and need someone to transport it or want to get something into storage. Finally, it offers last-minute moving services and, importantly, keeps its rates the same as they'd normally be on peak and non-peak days.

Safe Responsible Movers is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and no registered complaints. The company has a 4.9-star rating on Google (174 reviews) and 4.9 stars on Yelp (294 reviews). The company's staff are experienced, well-trained and background-checked.

You can call 617-606-9098 or visit the Safe Responsible Movers website to book your move. Its office is located at 24 Denby Rd. #28, Boston, Mass., 02134. It's open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Customer testimonial

A very positive experience. Moving can be very stressful but these guys were simply excellent. From the very first email explaining the quote and charges, to the actual move procedure, each and everything was to the point. Clear communication is the key here, they were responsive and made the move look easy in the end. Highly recommend! I will definitely use Safe Responsible movers for my next move.- Aditya K., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

BLVD Moving is the best overall national mover

At Yahoo Local, our goal is to make it easier for people to choose services they can count on. While we love highlighting local businesses, there are times when a national moving company is a better match — especially for longer or cross-country moves. If you're deciding, read our guide to local vs. national moving companies . For national moves, BLVD Moving is the company we recommend .

BLVD Moving runs operations out of four locations in California and offers both local and long-distance moving services nationwide. It's an independent, family-run company with its own fleet and employees. According to its terms , it may also rely on subcontractors or agents for some moves — something that's fairly common in the industry when demand peaks.

We reached out to BLVD Moving for a quote on a 500-mile move that involved about 1,340 cubic feet of belongings, which is about the volume you'd expect for a basic three-bedroom home without large appliances. The estimate came to around $6,700, which falls in line with what other national movers charge. The company requires a 33% deposit at the time of booking, with half of the remaining balance due at pickup. The rest is due upon delivery.

Services offered

• Local and interstate moves

• Residential, office and commercial relocations

• Packing services

• Storage options

• Financing

If your plans change, you can cancel with at least two full business days' notice and receive a full refund of your deposit. BLVD offers a delivery window between two and 21 business days depending on distance. That window starts from your preferred delivery date — so you may wait just over a month once you're ready for your shipment to arrive.

It's a good idea to book your move about a month in advance — or earlier if you're planning to move during peak times like summer or near the beginning or end of the month. (We also have a full guide to the best and worst times to move .) Getting a quote is simple — you can set up a virtual walkthrough or fill out an inventory form online. BLVD offers financing for qualified customers, with interest rates starting at 0%.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the BBB and currently holds a B rating, with 92 complaints on record. While that might seem like a high number, it's not unusual for national moving companies. It also has a 4.4-star average on Google from 860 reviews and a 2.3-star average on Yelp from 340 reviews. All of its movers are employees who pass background checks.

The company's main office is located at 21622 Plummer St., Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. It's open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. You can reach BLVD Moving by calling 844-274-0500 or requesting a quote online .

Customer testimonial

BLVD was great! We were a pain, changing our inventory multiple times, and 2 last minute changes to the final destination. They were quick to respond and accommodate us every time we reached out. I recommend them, and will be using them again for future moves! - Reagan S., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Exela Movers is a great Boston moving company for interstate moves

Exela Movers was founded by Alexe Suciu, who grew up in a small Romanian town before earning his Master's Degree in business and working and traveling around Europe. Suciu eventually made his way to Boston, where he used his experience in the moving industry to open his own business in 2011. Fourteen years later, the company has an excellent reputation in the area, sporting over 400 reviews with nearly perfect scores on Google, Yelp and Angi.

While its main business is in local moves, Exela Movers is also equipped and licensed to take on long-distance moves across state lines. You can also hire the company for labor-only packing and unpacking services if you plan to take your own rental truck on the road. Either route you go, you're in good hands, as Boston Magazine picked Exela Movers as a Best of Boston winner in 2024.

Pricing for Exela movers is about average for the area. The company quoted us $199 per hour for a three-person team on a three-bedroom home move. Each job has a three-hour minimum, so you can expect to pay at least $597 in labor. That rate includes everything you need with your move, except tape and shrink wrap, which are added as a small extra charge.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Commercial and residential moves

• Packing and unpacking

• Custom crating

• Packing supplies

• Storage

To get your move date on Exela's calendar, you have to pay a $200 deposit. It's non-refundable, however, so you're out $200 if you have to cancel. Note that Exela charges a $75 fee per large appliance (such as washers and dryers) that it moves. Pianos also incur an additional charge of $400.

One nice additional service Exela Movers provides is plastic crate rentals. If you want to avoid buying a bunch of cardboard boxes, you can rent bundles of BoxSave crates starting at $150. Additionally, Exela Movers has climate-controlled storage facilities available.

Exela Movers is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and no registered complaints. It currently carries a 4.9-star rating on Google (280 reviews) and 4.8 stars on Yelp (163 reviews). It also conducts background checks on its movers.

You can call 857-312-3381 or visit the Exela Movers website to book your move. Its office is located at 867-871 Boylston St., 5th Fl., Boston, Mass., 02116. It's open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Customer testimonial

This was definitely one of the more expensive services but worth it in my opinion. Easy to work with, great communication, and super quick movers. I feel like they went above and beyond to keep our items safe and to not make a mess. I would definitely recommend again. I've used movers before, and no other company is as professional as Exela. - Ana T., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Born to Move is the best do-it-all Boston mover

If you're looking for a mover in Boston that can just about do it all, Born to Move is it. The company opened up shop in 2016 to take on all types of moving needs in the Boston area. While that makes it a bit younger than the other companies on our list, Born to Move has earned a great reputation with more than 1,000 reviews and almost perfect scores on Google, Yelp and Angi.

Born to Move covers local residential and commercial moves but does so much more. The company is authorized by the Transportation Department to take on interstate moves, but it can also coordinate international moves if you're headed outside of the country. It has several dedicated labor-only services available as well, included packing, along with specialty art, antique and appliance moving.

One of the great things about Born to Move is that it makes it easy to estimate your move's cost before you even reach out for a quote. The company prominently advertises its rates based on the number of movers you need. For a three-person crew, the company quoted us a rate of $190 per hour, including the labor price, the truck and any tolls along the way.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• International and military moves

• Packing and unpacking

• White glove services

• Senior moves

• Storage

• Art and antique moving

Every job has a three-hour minimum, so you can expect to pay at least $570 in labor. You're also charged for travel time based on the hourly rate for your move (so $190 per hour in this case). No deposit is required to lock in your move date, making Born to Move one of two companies that do not need one on this list.

In addition to its local, long-distance and international moving services, you can hire Born to Move to take on single-item moves for pianos. It also has experience with senior moves to help your elderly loved ones transition to senior living homes or downsize to a smaller home with care. The company operates climate-controlled storage units with an inventory tracking system that makes it easy to keep an eye on your stuff.

Born to Move isn't BBB-accredited and it has a C- rating with the organization due to failure to respond to a complaint. It has four registered complaints in the last three years. The company currently has a 4.8-star rating with Google (981 reviews) and 4.4 stars with Yelp (175 reviews). Its movers are background-checked.

You can call 617-903-2609 or visit the Born to Move website to book your move. It's open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and its office is located at 84 Bowers St., Unit B, Newton, Mass., 02460.

Customer testimonial

Born to move was EXCELLENT during my recent move from Boston to DC. I paid exactly what I was quoted, they arrived on time, were super efficient at loading and unloading, and generally were a pleasure to work with. They were also really nice to my cats. I strongly recommend their services. As compared to movers I have worked with in the past, born to move was far far superiors. - Lucille Z., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

For years, Yahoo has made it a priority to provide dependable information about local businesses. Our Yahoo Local guides are part of that mission, created to help you find out which businesses are truly worth your time and money. We believe in showing our work — that's why we explain the methodology and criteria behind our selections. Using a ranking system built in-house by our team, we've developed what we see as the most objective approach to highlighting the best companies in your area. Inclusion in our lists is never paid for, and we don't rely on sponsored picks. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page .

Here's more about how we selected the best Boston moving company:

• 40 movers evaluated

• 23,767 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all six featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced from all six featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

Boston moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

Movers you contact will generally ask for the same basic information to give you a phone estimate. The most important thing to remember is the size of both of your homes, including the number of bedrooms and square footage. Also, note any flights of stairs and the distance from your front door to where your movers will have to park.

In addition to the size of your homes, it helps to have a general inventory of the large furniture items you plan to have your moving company handle. This includes everything from beds and dressers to TVs and tables. Some companies require an inventory to give you a more accurate estimate because it influences what size truck you need and how many.

In addition to your standard furniture, take note of any specialty items like a piano or gun safe, as these often cost extra because they're more difficult to move and require special handling.

What should you know about packing and storage inBoston ?

Boston's weather shifts from frigid winters to hot and muggy summers, which means you want to keep your stuff stored in a way that protects it from the elements. Always keep your boxes in a cool, dry place while waiting to be moved. If you need to pack stuff into a storage unit, always pick a climate-controlled storage unit for any items that are delicate or sensitive to temperature swings.

What's different about condo and apartment moving inBoston ?

Moving in or out of one of Boston's many apartments or condo buildings can be complicated. Check with your building manager or landlord to see if there are dedicated days or times for moving in or out of your building. You might also need a certificate of insurance (COI) from your moving company, a document your mover can provide to prove that it is insured to cover any damage it might cause to the building during the move.

Finally, see if your building uses a dedicated freight elevator for moves. Some buildings may require you to reserve an elevator for a set period for your move. Coordinate these times with your moving company to keep things as smooth as possible. For more, check out our dedicated guide to a successful apartment move .

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in Boston?

You don't need a special license to move stuff on your own in Boston, but all moving companies in Massachusetts must be licensed to operate through the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). If you're moving across state lines, your moving company must also be registered with the Transportation Department and authorized for interstate service through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Curious about all of the rules? Read our full guide to Massachusetts moving company licensing and regulations for everything you need to know.

The one area you should be concerned about with your move is obtaining parking permits. Your mover should be able to guide you in the right direction, but you'll often need to reserve parking spots in front of your building for a set period to park and load your moving truck. You can read more about permits at the City of Boston website if you're located within Boston proper, while those who live in Boston's suburbs can check their city website for more information.

How much should you tip movers in Boston?

You're never required to tip Boston movers, but it's a nice way to show some extra appreciation if your moving company does a great job. The usual suggested tip is between 10% and 20% of your total move cost. You can split evenly between your moving crew with cash, but some moving companies also let you add it to your final invoice. Check with your mover to see what they prefer.

For more tips , check out our guide on how much to tip movers .

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