DC to MA Moving Specialists

DC to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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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.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for DC to Massachusetts

9.70/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.67/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

9.61/10
Exceptional

DC to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Massachusetts

ConsDC iconDC
  • High living costs
  • Metro congestion
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Heavy traffic
  • Political climate
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Charming towns
  • Robust public transit
  • Milder summers
  • Scenic drives
  • Rich history

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer free museums
  • Higher taxes
  • Rural distances
  • Limited job variety
DC iconDC
  • 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

ComparisonDCMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeClam Chowder
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce WingsBaked Beans
Most popular street food itemFood Trucks VarietiesLobster Rolls
Most popular vegan foodVegetable BowlsJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Thai CafΓ©
  • Zaytinya
  • Union Oyster House
  • Neptune Oyster
  • Legal Sea Foods
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonDCMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian and Beaux-ArtsColonial and Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to metro, Rooftop decksAccess 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 DC’s $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

ComparisonDCMassachusetts
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersMild to moderate: Hurricanes, floodsMild to severe: Nor'easters, blizzards, flooding
Air QualityGood to moderateGood to moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/7182/65
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47/2938/22
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.847.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.543.8
  • 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

ComparisonDCMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$101,027$94,488
Cost of Living Index140.1121.55
State Income Tax6.0%5.0%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%1.20%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Public Service, EducationTechnology, Healthcare, Education
AffluenceHighHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessVisibleLess 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

ComparisonDCMassachusetts
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticPrimarily Democratic
Local PoliticsHigh engagement, federal focusHigh engagement, state-level focus
ReligionVaried, with no single majorityPrimarily 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

ComparisonDCMassachusetts
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 SchoolsJanney Elementary
Lafayette Elementary
Mann Elementary
Joseph E. Fiske Elementary
Vinson-Owen Elementary
Schofield Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal 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 SchoolsSchool 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 schoolsGeorgetown Preparatory School
St. Albans School
National Cathedral School
Phillips Academy Andover
Roxbury Latin School
Noble and Greenough School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBritish International School of Washington
Sidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Phillips Academy Andover
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
The Winsor School
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsLexington 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 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Paradise Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,228300 ft3$4.09
1 Bedroom$1,823450 ft3$4.05
2 Bedrooms$3,006750 ft3$4.01
3 Bedrooms$4,3621100 ft3$3.97
4 Bedrooms$6,2771600 ft3$3.92
5+ Bedrooms$6,9851800 ft3$3.88