Massachusetts to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 2,535 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs spanish colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Arizona is 24.62% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Arizona will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Massachusetts to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Arizona
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- High taxes
- Mild winters
- More affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Lower taxes
- Lacks historical depth
- Less cultural variety
- Limited education options
- No fall colors
- Rich history
- Cultural diversity
- Quality education
- Autumn foliage
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Arizona
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Arizona with more affordable housing
- Swap the heavy traffic of Massachusetts for less congestion in Arizona
- Get ready for lower taxes in Arizona
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with the lack of historical depth in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle with the con of less cultural variety
- Time to bid farewell to quality education and get used to limited education options in Arizona
- Swap autumn foliage for no fall colors
Massachusetts vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Roadside Seafood | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Jackfruit Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | 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 Massachusetts to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Roadside Seafood, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Union Oyster House, Legal Sea Foods, and No. 9 Park. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and FnB.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Arizona
Comparison | Massachusetts | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Spanish Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic properties, Proximity to education | Desert landscapes, Outdoor living spaces |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference historic properties and proximity to education, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like desert landscapes and outdoor living spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arizona is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Arizona housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Arizona is 24.62% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Arizona
Comparison | Massachusetts | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Nor'easters | Heatwaves, Monsoons |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Varies; Moderate to Unhealthy |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F/60Β°F | 104Β°F/81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F/22Β°F | 67Β°F/46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.7" | 13.6" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 0.3" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Arizona. Arizona gets 43% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and monsoons in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 24 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 24 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 34.1 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Arizona
Comparison | Massachusetts | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 2.59% - 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.62% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 5.6% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, Education, Finance | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 21% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Arizona will be 17% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.50% compared to 5% in MA
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and high in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Arizona
Comparison | Massachusetts | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Liberal/Democratic | Swing State, slight conservative lean |
Local Politics | Strong Democratic presence in urban areas | Mix of Republican & Democratic influence, depending on the areas |
Religion | Majority Christian, but highly diverse | Majority Christian, with a significant unaffiliated population |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a slight conservative lean
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as majority Christian with a significant unaffiliated population
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Christian but highly diverse
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Arizona
Comparison | Massachusetts | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston University | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Maria Hastings Elementary (Lexington) Day School (Westford),Vincent M. Igo Elementary (Foxborough) | Archway Classical Academy (Scottsdale) BASIS Chandler BASIS Oro Valley |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Blanchard Middle School (Westford) Thomas Prince School (Princeton) William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) | BASIS Scottsdale BASIS Chandler BASIS Tucson North |
Top 3 High Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High (Lexington) St. John's Prep (Danvers) | BASIS Scottsdale BASIS Chandler BASIS Tucson North |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston) The Winsor School (Boston) Dexter Southfield (Brookline) | The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Verde Valley School (Sedona) |
Top 3 School Districts | Weston School District Lexington School District Wayland School District | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills School District Chandler Unified School District |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 2,535 miles from Massachusetts to Arizona will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,640 | 300 ft3 | $8.80 |
1 Bedroom | $3,937 | 450 ft3 | $8.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,524 | 750 ft3 | $8.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,514 | 1100 ft3 | $8.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,758 | 1600 ft3 | $8.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,388 | 1800 ft3 | $8.55 |
Top Massachusetts to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Arizona