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Florida to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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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

ConsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Hurricane threats
  • High humidity
  • No winter activities
  • Tourist crowds
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Safer from hurricanes
  • Mild temperatures
  • Winter sports
  • Rich history

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Cold winters
  • Higher cost of living
  • No coastal access
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
Florida iconFlorida
  • 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

ComparisonFloridaMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemKey Lime PieClam Chowder
Most popular meat dishCuban SandwichBoston Baked Beans and Ham
Most popular street food itemCuban SandwichLobster Roll
Most popular vegan foodMango SorbetVegan Clam Chowder
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Versailles Restaurant, Miami
  • Joe's Stone Crab, Miami Beach
  • Bern's Steak House, Tampa
  • Union Oyster House, Boston
  • Neptune Oyster, Boston
  • Woodman's of Essex, Essex
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 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

ComparisonFloridaMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleMediterraneanColonial
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 listingPool, WaterfrontHistoric 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 Florida’s $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

ComparisonFloridaMassachusetts
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 DisastersHurricanes, Tropical StormsBlizzards, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 75Β°F83Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 48Β°F37Β°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

ComparisonFloridaMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$69,303$94,488
Cost of Living Index97.8121.55
State Income Tax0%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%1.23%
Avg. Sales Tax6.08%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Agriculture, AerospaceEducation, Technology, Finance
AffluenceModerateWealthy
PovertyHighLow
HomelessnessSignificantManageable
  • 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

ComparisonFloridaMassachusetts
Political Make-upMixed, with a tendency towards conservatism in recent yearsStrongly liberal, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsVaries widely by region, stronger Republican influence in rural areasDemocratic stronghold, with progressive policies in cities like Boston
ReligionHighly diverse, with a significant Christian populationMore 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

ComparisonFloridaMassachusetts
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 SchoolsPine 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 SchoolsPine 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 SchoolsPine 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 schoolsAmerican 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 schoolsLake 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 DistrictsSt. 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,669300 ft3$5.56
1 Bedroom$2,484450 ft3$5.52
2 Bedrooms$4,108750 ft3$5.48
3 Bedrooms$5,9791100 ft3$5.44
4 Bedrooms$8,6281600 ft3$5.39
5+ Bedrooms$9,6301800 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.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Florida to Massachusetts

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details

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