Florida to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,342 mile interstate move from Florida to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane threats vs safer from hurricanes), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (mediterranean vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Boston Baked Beans and Ham
- Massachusetts housing costs are 54% more expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in Massachusetts is 14.12% more expensive than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Florida to Massachusetts movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Massachusetts
- Hurricane threats
- High humidity
- No winter activities
- Tourist crowds
- Safer from hurricanes
- Mild temperatures
- Winter sports
- Rich history
- Cold winters
- Higher cost of living
- No coastal access
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Year-round sunshine
- Low cost of living
- Beaches
- Casual lifestyle
Pros of moving from Florida to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to hurricane threats and hello to safer conditions from hurricanes
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Massachusetts with mild temperatures
- Swap the lack of winter activities in Florida for winter sports in Massachusetts
- Get ready for rich history in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Florida to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from year-round sunshine in Florida to live with cold winters in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to beaches and get used to no coastal access in Massachusetts
- Swap a casual lifestyle for a fast-paced lifestyle
Florida vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Boston Baked Beans and Ham |
Most popular street food item | Cuban Sandwich | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Mango Sorbet | Vegan Clam Chowder |
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 Florida to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Cuban Sandwich, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Boston Baked Beans and Ham and Lobster Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mango Sorbet they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Versailles Restaurant in Miami, Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach, and Bern's Steak House in Tampa. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House in Boston, Neptune Oyster in Boston, and Woodman's of Essex in Essex.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Massachusetts
Comparison | Florida | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mediterranean | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Waterfront | Historic Details, Proximity to Education |
- The Mediterranean architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and waterfront, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to education.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Florida.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Florida.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Florida.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 54% more expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased 46% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 14.12% more expensive than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and Massachusetts
Comparison | Florida | 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 | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 83Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 37Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 7 degrees colder than Florida.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Massachusetts
Comparison | Florida | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.08% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Education, Technology, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | Wealthy |
Poverty | High | Low |
Homelessness | Significant | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 36% more than those in Florida
- The COLI in Massachusetts will be 24% higher than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from FL to MA, you'll now have a state income tax of 5%
- The affluence in Massachusetts is wealthy compared to moderate affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to high poverty in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Florida and manageable in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Florida | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a tendency towards conservatism in recent years | Strongly liberal, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Varies widely by region, stronger Republican influence in rural areas | Democratic stronghold, with progressive policies in cities like Boston |
Religion | Highly diverse, with a significant Christian population | More secular, but diverse with a notable Catholic community |
- Florida tends to lean mixed, with a tendency towards conservatism in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal, especially in urban areas
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as more secular but diverse, with a notable Catholic community
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly diverse, with a significant Christian population
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Massachusetts
Comparison | Florida | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School Osprey; Suncoast Elementary School Riviera Beach; Coral Reef Elementary School Palmetto Bay | John D. Hardy Elementary School Wellesley; Bowman Elementary School Lexington; Vinson-Owen Elementary School Winchester |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Pine View School Osprey; Archimedean Middle Conservatory Miami; Bak Middle School of the Arts West Palm Beach | William Diamond Middle School Lexington; Jonas Clarke Middle School Lexington; Wayland Middle School Wayland |
Top 3 High School Schools | Pine View School Osprey; Design and Architecture Senior High Miami; Stanton College Preparatory School Jacksonville | Boston Latin School Boston; Lexington High School Lexington; Newton North High School Newton |
Top 3 private high schools | American Heritage School Plantation; The Bolles School Jacksonville; Berkeley Preparatory School Tampa | Phillips Academy Andover; Noble and Greenough School Dedham; Roxbury Latin School West Roxbury |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lake Highland Preparatory School Orlando; The Bolles School Jacksonville; Berkeley Preparatory School Tampa | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Cambridge; Belmont Hill School Belmont; The Winsor School Boston |
Top 3 School Districts | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District | Lexington Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools Newton Public Schools |
How Much Do Florida to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 1,342 miles from Florida to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,669 | 300 ft3 | $5.56 |
1 Bedroom | $2,484 | 450 ft3 | $5.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,108 | 750 ft3 | $5.48 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,979 | 1100 ft3 | $5.44 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,628 | 1600 ft3 | $5.39 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,630 | 1800 ft3 | $5.35 |
Top Florida to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to Massachusetts