Idaho to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 2,655 mile interstate move from Idaho to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (craftsman vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Boston Baked Beans with Pork
- Massachusetts housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Massachusetts is 57.17% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Massachusetts will cost on average between $2,500 - $10,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Idaho to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Massachusetts
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Rural lifestyle
- Fewer cultural events
- Milder winters
- Diverse job market
- Vibrant city life
- Rich history and culture
- Higher cost of living
- Dense population
- Traffic congestion
- Urban sprawl
- Low cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Scenic landscapes
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Idaho to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Massachusetts with a diverse job market
- Swap the rural lifestyle of Idaho for vibrant city life in Massachusetts
- Get ready for rich history and culture in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Idaho to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Idaho to live with a higher cost of living in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle with the con of a dense population
- Time to bid farewell to scenic landscapes and get used to traffic congestion in Massachusetts
- Swap outdoor activities for urban sprawl
Idaho vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Trout | Boston Baked Beans with Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Chili | Hearty Vegan Stews |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Fry Bread, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Boston Baked Beans with Pork and Lobster Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Hearty Vegan Stews of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Statehouse, Bardenay, and The Old Spaghetti Factory. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Harborside, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Massachusetts
Comparison | Idaho | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Colonial |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Scenic views | Access to public transportation, Historic details |
- The Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and scenic views, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased 46% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 57.17% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Massachusetts
Comparison | Idaho | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Blizzards, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 40°F | 82°F / 62°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 34°F / 15°F | 37°F / 18°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12-20" | 43.77" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19-300" | 43-60" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 0% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in Massachusetts.
- The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 3 degrees colder than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 31.8 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Massachusetts
Comparison | Idaho | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.77% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Food Processing | Finance, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Lower | Average |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 30% more than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 33% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in MA is 5% compared to 6.5% in ID
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
- The poverty level is average in Massachusetts compared to lower poverty in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Idaho | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Christianity Predominant | Diverse Religious Practices |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as diverse religious practices
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Massachusetts
Comparison | Idaho | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Andrus Elementary School (Boise) Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) | Thompson Elementary School (Arlington) Day Elementary School (Newton) Brackett Elementary School (Arlington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) Sage International School of Boise (Boise) | Edward Devotion School (Brookline) Amigos School (Cambridge) Gibbs School (Arlington) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) | Boston Latin School (Boston) Brookline High School (Brookline) Lexington High School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Riverstone International School (Boise) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Dexter Southfield School (Brookline) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District | Lexington School District Wellesley School District Newton School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 2,655 miles from Idaho to Massachusetts will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,708 | 300 ft3 | $9.03 |
1 Bedroom | $4,039 | 450 ft3 | $8.98 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,694 | 750 ft3 | $8.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,763 | 1100 ft3 | $8.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,121 | 1600 ft3 | $8.83 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,796 | 1800 ft3 | $8.78 |
Top Idaho to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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