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Kentucky to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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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

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Fewer cultural activities
  • Scorching summers
  • Isolated rural areas
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Diverse career options
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Mild summers
  • Vibrant metro regions

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Higher cost of living
  • Fast-paced living
  • Potentially less personal space
  • Colder general demeanor
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenClam Chowder
Most popular meat dishHot BrownLobster Roll
Most popular street food itemBurgooFried Clams
Most popular vegan foodVegan BBQVegan Chowder
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Corbett's: An American Place
  • Holly Hill Inn
  • Proof on Main
  • Neptune Oyster
  • Legal Sea Foods
  • Union Oyster House
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 (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonKentuckyMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, Victorian
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 listingSpacious yards, proximity to parksAccess 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 Kentucky’s $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

ComparisonKentuckyMassachusetts
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 DisastersTornadoes, floodsBlizzards, nor'easters
Air QualityGenerally goodVaries; urban areas worse
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F80Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 23Β°F35Β°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

ComparisonKentuckyMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$59,341$94,488
Cost of Living Index87.8121.55
State Income Tax5%5.05%
Avg. Property Tax0.82%1.23%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, AutoTechnology, Education, Finance
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateHigher
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyMassachusetts
Political Make-upLean RepublicanLean Democrat
Local PoliticsConservative ValuesProgressive Policies
ReligionChristian MajorityDiverse 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

ComparisonKentuckyMassachusetts
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 SchoolsStopher 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 SchoolsBarret 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 SchoolsDuPont 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 schoolsSacred 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsFayette 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,712300 ft3$5.71
1 Bedroom$2,546450 ft3$5.66
2 Bedrooms$4,205750 ft3$5.61
3 Bedrooms$6,1131100 ft3$5.56
4 Bedrooms$8,8111600 ft3$5.51
5+ Bedrooms$9,8231800 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.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Massachusetts

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

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details