DC to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 427 mile interstate move from DC to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs charming towns), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (victorian and beaux-arts vs colonial and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Baked Beans
- Massachusetts housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Massachusetts is 5.81% more expensive than in DC
- Moving from DC to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended DC to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Top DC to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for DC to Massachusetts

Stairhopper Movers

Bookstore Movers
DC to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Massachusetts
- High living costs
- Metro congestion
- Hot, humid summers
- Heavy traffic
- Political climate
- Charming towns
- Robust public transit
- Milder summers
- Scenic drives
- Rich history
- Harsh winters
- Fewer free museums
- Higher taxes
- Rural distances
- Limited job variety
- Cultural diversity
- Smithsonian museums
- Vibrant nightlife
- Central location
- Government job market
Pros of moving from DC to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to charming towns
- Look forward to moving away from metro congestion and moving to Massachusetts with robust public transit
- Swap the hot, humid summers of DC for milder summers in Massachusetts
- Get ready for scenic drives in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from DC to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in DC to live with harsh winters in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of Smithsonian museums and have to settle for the con of fewer free museums
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to higher taxes in Massachusetts
- Swap a central location for rural distances
DC vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-Smoke | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo Sauce Wings | Baked Beans |
Most popular street food item | Food Trucks Varieties | Lobster Rolls |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Bowls | Jackfruit Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from DC to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Wings and sumptuous Food Truck Varieties, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Baked Beans and Lobster Rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rosa's Thai CafΓ©, and Zaytinya. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Legal Sea Foods.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Massachusetts
Comparison | DC | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian and Beaux-Arts | Colonial and Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to metro, Rooftop decks | Access to education, Historic properties |
- The Victorian and Beaux-Arts architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and rooftop decks, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to education and historic properties.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Massachusetts is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Massachusetts is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Massachusetts has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to DCβs $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 5.81% more expensive than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Massachusetts
Comparison | DC | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Mild to moderate: Hurricanes, floods | Mild to severe: Nor'easters, blizzards, flooding |
Air Quality | Good to moderate | Good to moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/71 | 82/65 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47/29 | 38/22 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40.8 | 47.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.5 | 43.8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 1% fewer sunshine days than DC.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible mild to moderate hurricanes and floods in DC, but be on the lookout for potential mild to severe nor'easters, blizzards, and flooding in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 7 degrees colder than in DC.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 6.9 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Massachusetts
Comparison | DC | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 6.0% | 5.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.20% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Public Service, Education | Technology, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | High | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Visible | Less Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 6% less than in DC
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 13% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in MA is 5.0% compared to 6.0% in DC
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in DC and less visible in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | DC | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Primarily Democratic |
Local Politics | High engagement, federal focus | High engagement, state-level focus |
Religion | Varied, with no single majority | Primarily Christian, with a mix of other faiths |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a mix of other faiths
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied with no single majority
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Massachusetts
Comparison | DC | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University University of Maryland | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Janney Elementary Lafayette Elementary Mann Elementary | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary Vinson-Owen Elementary Schofield Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School McKinley Middle School | William Diamond Middle School Jonas Clarke Middle School Raymond J. Grey Junior High |
Top 3 High School Schools | School Without Walls High School Benjamin Banneker Academic High School McKinley Technology High School | Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science Boston Latin School Lexington High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Georgetown Preparatory School St. Albans School National Cathedral School | Phillips Academy Andover Roxbury Latin School Noble and Greenough School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | British International School of Washington Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School | Phillips Academy Andover Buckingham Browne & Nichols School The Winsor School |
Top 3 School Districts | District of Columbia Public Schools | Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools Brookline Public Schools |
How Much Do DC to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 427 miles from DC to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Paradise Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,228 | 300 ft3 | $4.09 |
1 Bedroom | $1,823 | 450 ft3 | $4.05 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,006 | 750 ft3 | $4.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,362 | 1100 ft3 | $3.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,277 | 1600 ft3 | $3.92 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,985 | 1800 ft3 | $3.88 |