Quincy is a city of about 103,000 people just south of Boston, with four Red Line stations, a long stretch of coastline, and housing that costs noticeably less than Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville. It suits commuters, first-time buyers, families, and renters who want a direct train into the city without city prices. The median home value is about $618,500 and median rent is about $2,118 a month. Moving to Quincy is easier than moving within Boston in many ways, since many homes have driveways, but the commute and the roads deserve planning. Pick a home near a Red Line stop if you will commute by train, avoid moving at rush hour on Route 3A or the Southeast Expressway, and book early if your lease starts on September 1.
Stark Moving and Storage is based in the Boston area and moves households across the South Shore, including Quincy, as well as throughout greater Boston. We handle local and long distance moves, packing, and storage. Here is what to know about living in Quincy and how to plan the move.
Quincy by the Numbers
From the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quincy QuickFacts:
| Measure | Quincy |
|---|---|
| Population, 2025 estimate | About 103,173 |
| Median household income | About $98,882 |
| Median home value | About $618,500 |
| Median rent | About $2,118 per month |
| Homes that are owner-occupied | About 45 percent |
| Average commute | About 34.7 minutes |
| Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher | About 50 percent |
Why People Move to Quincy
The Red Line
Quincy has four Red Line stations: North Quincy, Wollaston, Quincy Center, and Quincy Adams. That gives much of the city a direct train to downtown Boston and Cambridge.
Lower Housing Costs
Quincy’s median home value and rent are lower than Boston’s inner neighborhoods and neighbors like Somerville and Brookline. Many people move here after being priced out of the city. Our guide to affordable Boston neighborhoods covers the in-city options if you want to compare.
The Coast
Wollaston Beach, Marina Bay, and the Squantum peninsula give Quincy a waterfront that many Boston-area cities lack.
History
Quincy is known as the City of Presidents, the birthplace of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, and the Adams National Historical Park is here.
Best Neighborhoods in Quincy
| Area | What it is like | Move notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quincy Center | Downtown, new apartments, Red Line | Elevators and building rules |
| Wollaston | Near the beach and a Red Line stop | Mix of houses and two-families |
| North Quincy | Closest to Boston, busy and convenient | Apartment buildings and multi-families |
| Squantum | Peninsula with water views | Quieter streets, single-family homes |
| Marina Bay | Waterfront condos | Building move rules and loading areas |
| West Quincy | Residential, near the highway | More driveways and single-family homes |
| Houghs Neck | Coastal neighborhood on the east side | Narrow streets near the water |
Housing
Quincy has a mix of single-family homes, two and three-family houses, and newer apartment buildings around Quincy Center and North Quincy. Compared with Boston, more homes have driveways, which makes truck parking easier. Multi-family houses still have the narrow stairs common across the region.
Tip: In newer buildings near Quincy Center, ask about the freight elevator and move-in hours as soon as you sign the lease. Elevator slots fill quickly at the end of the month.
Getting Around
- Red Line to downtown Boston and Cambridge
- Commuter rail at Quincy Center to South Station
- Route 3A and Interstate 93 into Boston by car
- Ferries have served commuters from the Quincy waterfront in the past, so check the current schedule
The Southeast Expressway is one of the most congested roads in the region at rush hour. Our guide to Boston traffic explains when to avoid it, which matters for a moving truck billed by the hour.
Cost of Living in Quincy
Quincy costs less than Boston’s inner neighborhoods, but it is still well above the national average. BestPlaces gives Quincy a cost of living score of about 143, where 100 is the national average. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates these yearly costs for Norfolk County, which includes Quincy:
| Yearly cost | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Housing, one adult | $31,035 |
| Food, one adult | $5,211 |
| Transportation, one adult | $8,425 |
| Income needed before taxes, one adult | $75,532 |
| Income needed before taxes, two working adults and two children | $201,954 |
These are county averages, and Norfolk County includes some very expensive suburbs, so many Quincy households spend less on housing than the table shows.
Weather in Quincy
BestPlaces lists these climate averages:
| Measure | Quincy | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| July high | About 82 degrees | Varies by region |
| January low | About 20 degrees | Varies by region |
| Snow per year | About 45 inches | 28 inches |
| Rain per year | About 49 inches | 38 inches |
| Sunny days per year | About 202 | 205 |
Quincy is on the coast, so winter storms can bring high winds and flooding near the water in Houghs Neck and Squantum.
Schools in Quincy
Quincy Public Schools serves about 9,800 students, with a student-teacher ratio of about 13 to 1. Niche gives the district an overall grade of A minus. Quincy High School and North Quincy High School are the two public high schools.
Crime and Safety
NeighborhoodScout, using FBI data for 2024, reports these rates:
| Crime per 1,000 residents | Quincy | National median |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | About 3.4 | About 4 |
| Property crime | About 13.4 | About 18 |
Both rates are a little below the national median. As in any city, safety varies by street, so visit at night before you sign a lease.
What the Move Costs
A move from Boston to Quincy is a local move billed by the hour. Our guide to Boston moving costs shows typical ranges. Driveways in Quincy can save time compared with a long carry in the city.
Timing the Move
Quincy has its share of September 1 leases, especially near the Red Line. If your lease starts then, read our guide to September 1 moving and book early. For other dates, our guide on booking movers ahead covers lead times.
Coastal neighborhoods can also see winter storms and flooding near the water. Watch the forecast for a winter move.
Your First Month in Quincy
- Find your nearest Red Line station and bus routes
- Set up utilities and internet
- Learn your trash and recycling day
- Register children for school
- Update your address with the Registry of Motor Vehicles
Pros and Cons of Living in Quincy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Four Red Line stations | Heavy traffic on the Southeast Expressway |
| Lower housing costs than Boston | Long commute times by car |
| Beaches and a long coastline | Coastal storms and flooding |
| More driveways for easier moves | Still expensive by national standards |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quincy, MA a good place to live?
For many people, yes. It offers Red Line access, a waterfront, and lower housing costs than Boston’s inner neighborhoods.
How far is Quincy from Boston?
It borders Boston to the south. The Red Line reaches downtown in about 20 to 30 minutes from most stations.
Is Quincy cheaper than Boston?
Generally, yes. Quincy’s median rent is about $2,118 a month and the median home value is about $618,500.
How many Red Line stations are in Quincy?
Four: North Quincy, Wollaston, Quincy Center, and Quincy Adams.
When should I avoid moving to Quincy?
Rush hour on the Southeast Expressway and September 1, when many leases turn over.
Is parking easier for movers in Quincy?
Often, since many homes have driveways. Apartment buildings near Quincy Center still have their own rules.
Moving to Quincy
Stark Moving and Storage provides local and long-distance moving services in Quincy, MA, and throughout greater Boston, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Washington, DC. Our services include packing and unpacking, storage, custom crating, and specialized piano and fine art moving. Whether you’re planning a local relocation or a long-distance move, our team works to keep the process organized and efficient.
As a BBB-accredited company, Stark Moving and Storage prioritizes honesty, transparency, and efficiency at every stage of your move. Contact us at (866) 656-6029 to discuss your moving needs and request an estimate for your upcoming relocation to Quincy.