Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
Boston, the capital city of Massachusetts is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities in the U.S. Here, along with a high standard of living, the cost of living is also quite high. No wonder a few of its residents aren’t able to afford their living expenses in the city. One of the most common concerns in the city is its harsh winters that the residents often struggle to battle with. If you’re considering moving out of Boston, what better place than Los Angeles?
Vibrant streets, pleasant weather, and a growing economy - all of this makes Los Angeles one of the best cities to live in the U.S. The city is the main center for entertainment and is also home to several world-class museums and major tech companies. Planning to move to Los Angeles? Here’s a detailed relocation guide on moving from Boston to Los Angeles. Keep reading to know what to expect with your move to the City of Angels.
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Boston’s climate varies from a humid subtropical climate to a humid continental climate. The city is in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This makes it prone to snowfall and rain, especially during winters. The climate of Los Angeles is very different from Boston. Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate and in many places it’s semi-arid too. One of the biggest perks of living in Los Angeles is that you get to experience sunshine throughout the year.
In terms of summer, Boston has warm summers and so the residents take pleasure in taking a cruise on the water and strolling through the various cafes on the streets. Los Angeles on the other hand has warm and arid summers. On certain days, the city experiences thunderstorms because of the many mountains here. Summers in Los Angeles is the perfect time to go sunbathing on the many beautiful beaches in the city.
Here’s the difference in temperature that you can expect during peak summers:
Winters in Boston are extremely cold wherein the coastal areas experience heavy snowfall. In Los Angeles, winters are mild and the weather often feels tropical with an average temperature of around 68°F. This is the time to enjoy a bowl of hot ramen noodles or go ice skating or skiing in the city.
Here’s the difference in temperature that you can experience during peak winters:
Few Things To Bear In Mind About Los Angeles Weather:
It goes without saying that the cost of living in a city will be one of the many important things you’ll take into consideration before moving there. It shouldn’t surprise you that the cost of living is higher in both cities of Boston and Los Angeles. While in Boston the residents’ demand for housing is quite high, in Los Angeles, the mere location of the city and Hollywood glamor adds to the living expenses of the city. Let us take you through the cost of living in both cities with respect to housing and utility costs.
The real estate market can be one of the driving forces for a resident to move from one city to another. In terms of housing options, both Boston and Los Angeles have several luxurious homes for you to choose from. With Boston being the capital city of Massachusetts, the housing costs are definitely not on the cheaper side here. The same goes for Los Angeles as well. The city is home to several Hollywood movie studios and many tourist attractions, so the real estate here is also quite expensive.
To help you understand the real estate market, we’ve listed the median housing prices in both cities:
If you think your budget and income don’t allow you to buy a house, you can consider renting a home. Since the housing market is on the higher end in both Boston and Los Angeles, don’t expect the rents to be cheap either. But if you’re considering a move to Los Angeles, you can choose to live in cheap neighborhoods like Panorama City, Lakeview Terrace, Carson, etc.
We’ve listed below the median rent in both cities:
When speaking about popular cities like Boston and Los Angeles, the utility costs also will fall on the expensive side because of the high standard of living in both cities. While the cost of living in Boston is almost 48% higher than the national average, Los Angeles also isn’t far away with the cost of living in the city being around 43% higher than the national average.
Let’s take a look at the basic utility costs in Los Angeles as per the data shared by Payscale. For example, your grocery items like a carton of eggs and a gallon of milk will cost you around $2.17 and $2.03 respectively. Speaking of utilities, your monthly energy and phone bill will cost you around $180.74 and $192.66 respectively. Don’t forget your gas costs for which you’ll have to pay around $3.42 per gallon.
It’s no secret that Boston is one of the cities with the most powerful job market all around the world. After all, the city is known to have a powerful economy with several industries in the biotechnology, finance, education, and trade sectors. Los Angeles also has a very diverse economy with trade, entertainment, aerospace, technology, and tourism as the major sectors here.
To help you get some understanding of the income range, we’ve listed below the median household income in both cities:
In terms of the unemployment rate in both cities, Boston has an unemployment rate of 6.2% whereas the rate in Los Angeles is 10.6% as per BestPlaces. The national average stands at 6.0%. Although Los Angeles seems to have a higher unemployment rate than Boston, there are several major companies that operate in the city. So, if you’re considering moving to Los Angeles, you can consider getting a job in some of the major companies.
Here are some of the top-notch companies that operate in Los Angeles:
When it comes to transportation, Boston certainly has a great transportation system to get around in the city. The residents of the city mostly use public transportation that is managed by the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) which is one of the busiest transit systems in the U.S. In terms of transportation in Los Angeles, the city has several freeways and highways that connect to major parts in and around Los Angeles. If you’re considering moving to Los Angeles, you should know that Interstate 5, Interstate 10, and U.S Route 101 are some of the busiest routes here.
Here are some of the transit systems you can avail of in Los Angeles:
The major airports in the City of Angels are Los Angeles International Airport, John Wayne Airport, Bob Hope Airport, and Long Beach Municipal Airport. You get regular flights from these airports connecting Los Angeles to different parts of the U.S. and the rest of the world.
If you’re looking for an urban neighborhood with exciting nightlife and bustling streets, then Downtown LA is the place for you. Downtown LA is known to have great architecture and tons of real estate options for you to choose from. One thing is certain, you’ll never get bored here. That’s because it’s full of museums, charming breweries, opera and orchestra that will keep you entertained. Let’s not forget that Downtown LA is also famous for its pillow-soft tortillas, tacos, and lots of other exotic food.
Median Value Of Homes: $699,000
Monthly Median Rent: $3,080
One of the most spirited neighborhoods in Los Angeles is Hollywood Hills where you’ll find many movie studios and the name of the place in big white letters that one can’t miss. The place is known to be one of the most prominent business centers in Los Angeles. The place is also home to some of the top companies like Netflix, The Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, etc. Hollywood is a neighborhood where you’ll find both an active and a laidback lifestyle. In West Hollywood, you’ll find many bars and restaurants, awesome nightlife, and tons of shopping centers. But if you wish to reside in a place that has a relaxed atmosphere, East Hollywood will be the perfect place for you.
Median Value Of Homes: $3,000,000
Monthly Median Rent: $3,898
The streets of Beverly Hills will astound you with the numerous mansions, shopping centers, and many high-end restaurants here. It’ll remind you of the adventures of Julia Roberts as Vivian in ‘Pretty Woman’. And why not? The neighborhood is known to be one of the most popular and prestigious places to live in LA. It’s home to some of the most popular tourist attractions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Greystone Mansion, and many more. Although the housing costs here are on the higher end, there are plenty of luxurious real estate options that you can choose from.
Median Value Of Homes: $3,921,350
Monthly Median Rent: $4,395
Looking for a neighborhood with waterfront views? Well, Venice is one such place in LA that offers the most breathtaking views. No wonder it’s called ‘The Playground of the Sea’. Here, you’ll find a relaxed and bohemian culture that’ll astound you with its pristine beaches. Apart from that, the place also offers tons of walking trails, recreational parks, and skate parks to its residents. Venice is a blend of both urban and suburban lifestyles as the place has many restaurants, shopping centers, and delicious dining options for you.
Median Value Of Homes: $2,200,000
Monthly Median Rent: $3,795
Just head 12 miles west of Downtown LA and you’ll reach Bel Air. This beautiful neighborhood resides on the foothills of the gorgeous Santa Monica Mountains. Just like Beverly Hills, Bel Air is also considered to be one of the most prestigious neighborhoods to live in LA. Here, you’ll find many lavish homes and properties, but all of these come with a heavy price. One of the reasons for that can be because Bel Air is known to be the home of several celebrities that add to the glamor of the place. Not to forget that the place has several renowned schools making it a good choice for those planning to move with their family and kids. To name a few, Harvard-Westlake School, Berkeley Hall School, Mirman School, etc are some of the best schools here.
Median Value Of Homes: $5,000,000
Monthly Median Rent: $15,000
Also See: Los Angeles, CA: Surrounding Suburbs Guide | Top 7 Neighborhoods In Los Angeles For Families
| Popular Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Singles and Young Professionals
Also See: Top Long Distance Movers in the US
If you’re moving to a new city in a different state altogether, then we suggest you book your movers well in advance. The average price for your move from Boston to Los Angeles will be in the range of $3,000 to $5,000. However, this price can vary for different moves. So, if you seek help for packing, loading, and unloading services from your movers, you can expect to get an expensive moving quote.
But if you choose to plan a DIY move and only rent a truck and driver, you can save yourself a lot of money on your moving costs. Do keep in mind that your final costs would also depend on the size and timing of your move. If you’re on a tight budget and want to save a few bucks, consider moving in the off-season. You may use our Moving Cost Calculator to calculate the cost moving to Los Angeles.
Summing Up
Moving is often associated with being stressful. And it surely is, because there are so many things that you need to take care of. But we assure you that you can make your moving process an exciting experience by hiring your moving company in advance and choosing the right company for your move. If you’re planning to move from Boston to Los Angeles, we’re here to help you find the right movers that’ll make your move a seamless experience for you.
How Many Days Does It Take To Drive From Boston To LA?
Your journey from Boston to LA is almost 2,982 miles, that’s around 4,812 km. So, under normal traffic conditions, it’ll take you approximately 1 day and 30 minutes to reach Los Angeles from Boston.
Is Boston Or LA More Expensive?
When it comes to the overall cost of living, both Boston and Los Angeles seem to be more expensive than the national average. Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts and so getting a house here along with other basic utilities can be expensive. On the other hand, Los Angeles is one of the most glamorous cities in California because of which the overall cost of living in terms of real estate, food, and other basic utilities are on the expensive side.
How Much Does It Cost To Move From Boston To Los Angeles?
On average, your moving cost from Boston to Los Angeles will be between $3,000 and $5,000 as it’s a long distance move. Don’t forget that this price can be influenced by other factors like the date and time of your move, your exact location, and the kind of services you ask for from your moving company.
See Also: Best Interstate Moving Companies | Moving from Boston to Seattle
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