Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Boston, MA

Moving across the country to the largest New England city

Moving from San Francisco to Boston is a cross-country move of 3,100 miles. Going from the West Coast to the East Coast will mean adjusting to different climates and lifestyles.

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England, with around 676,000 people living within city limits. This is fewer than San Francisco, which has 874,000 residents. Boston’s metro population is around 4.9 million people, nearly half the size of San Francisco’s metro population of 9.55 million people.

Keep reading to learn what else to expect when relocating from the West Coast to “Bean Town.”

Get ready for frigid East Coast winters

Winters in Boston are nothing like what you’re used to in San Francisco. Snow is rare in San Francisco, but Boston receives an average of 48 inches annually.

Boston experiences all four seasons with yearly temperatures ranging from 19 to 82 degrees. San Francisco is known for milder weather, with summer highs around 70 degrees and winter lows around 46 degrees. 

Expect more rainy days in Boston because it receives around 47 inches of rain annually, compared to 25 inches in San Francisco.

Experience what “Bean Town” has to offer

Boston is a historic town known for baked beans and Boston cream pies. There are things to enjoy for people of all ages, but Early American History buffs will be especially pleased with these attractions:

  • Beacon Hill
  • Boston Common
  • Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
  • Bunker Hill Monument
  • Massachusetts State House
  • Old North Church
  • Old State House
  • Paul Revere House

Making a living in Boston

While Boston isn’t known as an inexpensive city, its cost of living is lower than in San Francisco. The largest job markets in the area include higher education, healthcare, finance, tourism, government and professional services.

Mass General Brigham, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University, Harvard University, MIT, Boston Children’s Hospital and Fidelity Investments are among Boston's largest employers.

Move to Massachusetts with U-Pack

U-Pack® is the best choice for a stress-free move from San Francisco to Boston through our service center locations nationwide. Just handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we’ll take care of transporting your things. Get a free moving quote and see your price instantly, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re ready to help!