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Idaho to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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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

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Rural lifestyle
  • Fewer cultural events
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Milder winters
  • Diverse job market
  • Vibrant city life
  • Rich history and culture

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Higher cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Traffic congestion
  • Urban sprawl
Idaho iconIdaho
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesClam Chowder
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutBoston Baked Beans with Pork
Most popular street food itemFry BreadLobster Roll
Most popular vegan foodLentil ChiliHearty Vegan Stews
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Statehouse
  • Bardenay
  • The Old Spaghetti Factory
  • Legal Harborside
  • Union Oyster House
  • Neptune Oyster
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

ComparisonIdahoMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanColonial
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, Scenic viewsAccess 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

ComparisonIdahoMassachusetts
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesBlizzards, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 40°F82°F / 62°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F / 15°F37°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

ComparisonIdahoMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$72,785$94,488
Cost of Living Index91.5121.55
State Income Tax6.5%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.77%1.23%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, Food ProcessingFinance, Healthcare, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowerAverage
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoMassachusetts
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceDemocratic Dominance
ReligionChristianity PredominantDiverse 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

ComparisonIdahoMassachusetts
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 SchoolsAndrus 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 SchoolsNorth 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 SchoolsBoise 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsRiverstone 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 DistrictsBoise 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 - $10,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,708300 ft3$9.03
1 Bedroom$4,039450 ft3$8.98
2 Bedrooms$6,694750 ft3$8.93
3 Bedrooms$9,7631100 ft3$8.88
4 Bedrooms$14,1211600 ft3$8.83
5+ Bedrooms$15,7961800 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.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Massachusetts

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to Massachusetts Routes

Boise to Massachusetts