Indiana to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 877 mile interstate move from Indiana to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited coastal access vs beautiful beaches), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (midwestern, cape cod vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef and Noodles, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 158% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Massachusetts is 88.15% more expensive than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Indiana to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Massachusetts
- Limited coastal access
- Less diverse food scene
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Limited public transport
- Fewer tech jobs
- Beautiful beaches
- Culinary variety
- Rich history
- Extensive public transit
- Thriving tech sector
- Higher living expenses
- More reserved culture
- Urban congestion
- High home prices
- Long, cold winters
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly Midwestern vibe
- Small-town charm
- Affordable housing
- Severe winters
Pros of moving from Indiana to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to limited coastal access and hello to beautiful beaches
- Look forward to moving away from a less diverse food scene and moving to Massachusetts with culinary variety
- Swap the fewer historical landmarks of Indiana for rich history in Massachusetts
- Get ready for extensive public transit in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Indiana to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Indiana to live with higher living expenses in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of a friendly Midwestern vibe and have to settle with the con of a more reserved culture
- Time to bid farewell to small-town charm and get used to urban congestion in Massachusetts
- Swap affordable housing for high home prices
Indiana vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Beef and Noodles | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Sugar Cream Pie | Fried Clams |
Most popular vegan food | Roasted Corn | 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 Indiana to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef and Noodles and sumptuous Sugar Cream Pie, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Roasted Corn 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 Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Cafe Patachou, and Blue Sky. 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 Santarpio's Pizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts, compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Massachusetts
Comparison | Indiana | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Midwestern, Cape Cod | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, family-friendly | Access to public transportation, historic charm |
- The Midwestern and Cape Cod architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and family-friendly environments, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 158% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 88.15% more expensive than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Massachusetts
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 64Β°F | 80Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 20Β°F | 37Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 48 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 8% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, 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 5 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Massachusetts
Comparison | Indiana | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.00% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Finance, Education, Biotechnology |
Affluence | Moderate | Affluent |
Poverty | Average | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 41% more than in Indiana
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 31% higher than what you are used to in Indiana
- The state income tax in MA is 5.00% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Massachusetts is affluent compared to moderate in Indiana
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to average in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Indiana and noticeable in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Indiana | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Strongly leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate local governance with Republican lean | Liberal local governance with strong Democratic lean |
Religion | Largely Christian with Evangelical Protestants being prominent | Diverse, with a higher number of Catholics and non-religious individuals |
- Indiana tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher number of Catholics and non-religious individuals
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with Evangelical Protestants being prominent
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Massachusetts
Comparison | Indiana | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | Harvard University MIT Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sigler Elementary (West Lafayette) Cedar Elementary (Avon) Prairie Trace Elementary (Carmel) | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary (Wellesley) Bowman Elementary (Lexington) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School (West Lafayette) Brown County Junior High (Nashville) Fall Creek Junior High (Fishers) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Wayland Middle School (Wayland) |
Top 3 High Schools | Signature School (Evansville) Carmel High School (Carmel) West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School (West Lafayette) | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | Culver Academies (Culver) Park Tudor School (Indianapolis) Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Traders Point Christian Academy (Whitestown) The Orchard School (Indianapolis) University High School of Indiana (Carmel) | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools West Lafayette Community School Corporation Zionsville Community Schools | Lexington Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools Newton Public Schools |
How Much Do Indiana to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 877 miles from Indiana 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,700 | 300 ft3 | $5.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,527 | 450 ft3 | $5.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,174 | 750 ft3 | $5.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,067 | 1100 ft3 | $5.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,745 | 1600 ft3 | $5.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,748 | 1800 ft3 | $5.42 |
Top Indiana to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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