Kentucky to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 899 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs diverse career options), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 204% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Massachusetts is 93.93% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Kentucky to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Massachusetts
- Limited job opportunities
- Fewer cultural activities
- Scorching summers
- Isolated rural areas
- Diverse career options
- Rich cultural scene
- Mild summers
- Vibrant metro regions
- Higher cost of living
- Fast-paced living
- Potentially less personal space
- Colder general demeanor
- Lower cost of living
- Slower-paced lifestyle
- Strong community ties
- Warm hospitality
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to diverse career options
- Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural activities and moving to Massachusetts with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the scorching summers of Kentucky for mild summers in Massachusetts
- Get ready for vibrant metro regions in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with a higher cost of living in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of a slower-paced lifestyle and have to settle with the con of fast-paced living
- Time to bid farewell to strong community ties and get used to potentially less personal space in Massachusetts
- Swap warm hospitality for a colder general demeanor
Kentucky vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Brown | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Burgoo | Fried Clams |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan BBQ | Vegan 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 (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Kentucky to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Chowder of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Corbett's An American Place, Holly Hill Inn, and Proof on Main. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Neptune Oyster, Legal Sea Foods, and Union Oyster House.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Massachusetts
Comparison | Kentucky | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to parks | Access to public transportation, historic features |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to parks, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 204% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 93.93% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Massachusetts
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Generally good | Varies; urban areas worse |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 80Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 23Β°F | 35Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 48" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12" | 43-82" (varies by region) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 3% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, 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 in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Massachusetts
Comparison | Kentucky | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5.05% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.82% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Auto | Technology, Education, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 59% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 38% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in MA is 5.05% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and higher in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Kentucky | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democrat |
Local Politics | Conservative Values | Progressive Policies |
Religion | Christian Majority | Diverse Religious Landscape |
- Kentucky tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democrat
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Massachusetts
Comparison | Kentucky | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts Amherst |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stopher Elementary School (Louisville) Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) | John D. Hardy Elementary School (Wellesley) Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston) Maria Hastings Elementary School (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Bowling Green Junior High School (Bowling Green) Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) Dexter Southfield School (Brookline) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Boone County Schools | Wellesley Public Schools Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 899 miles from Kentucky 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 | $1,712 | 300 ft3 | $5.71 |
1 Bedroom | $2,546 | 450 ft3 | $5.66 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,205 | 750 ft3 | $5.61 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,113 | 1100 ft3 | $5.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,811 | 1600 ft3 | $5.51 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,823 | 1800 ft3 | $5.46 |
Top Kentucky to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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