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Massachusetts to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,346 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs warm, sunny weather), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs spanish, mediterranean), 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 Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
  • Rent in Florida is 12.37% more affordable than in Massachusetts
  • Moving from Massachusetts to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Massachusetts to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Massachusetts to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Florida

ConsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Cold winters
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic in Boston
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Warm, sunny weather
  • No state income tax
  • Lower traffic congestion

Florida iconFlorida
  • Varied school quality
  • Fewer historical landmarks
  • Hot, humid summers
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • High-quality education
  • Rich historical sites
  • Distinct four seasons

Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Florida

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to warm, sunny weather
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Florida with no state income tax
  • Swap the heavy traffic in Boston, Massachusetts for lower traffic congestion in Florida

Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the high-quality education in Massachusetts to live with varied school quality in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich historical sites and have to settle for the con of fewer historical landmarks
  • Time to bid farewell to distinct four seasons and get used to hot, humid summers in Florida

Massachusetts vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMassachusettsFlorida
Most iconic local food itemClam ChowderKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishLobster RollCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemBoston Cream PieEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodTofu ScrambleJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe’s Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern’s Steak 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🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Massachusetts to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Boston Cream Pie, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Legal Harborside. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe’s Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern’s Steak House.

When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Florida.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Florida

ComparisonMassachusettsFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodSpanish, Mediterranean
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 listingHardwood floors, granite countertopsPool, waterfront
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like pools and waterfronts.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Florida is less walkable than Massachusetts.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Florida is more bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
  • Florida has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
  • Florida housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Massachusetts’s $612,509.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased 66% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
  • Rent in Florida is 12.37% more affordable than in Massachusetts.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Florida

ComparisonMassachusettsFlorida
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 DisastersSnowstorms, Nor'eastersHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 60Β°F90Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 22Β°F70Β°F / 50Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4754
Annual Snowfall (Inches)510
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Florida. Florida gets 19% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and nor'easters in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 10 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
  • The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Florida

ComparisonMassachusettsFlorida
Avg. Household Income$94,488$69,303
Cost of Living Index121.5597.8
State Income Tax5%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.23%0.89%
Avg. Sales Tax6.25%7.05%
Top 3 IndustriesEducation, Healthcare, TechnologyTourism, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLess prevalentNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 27% less than in Massachusetts
  • The COLI in Florida is 20% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
  • Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
  • The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to low in Massachusetts
  • In terms of homelessness, it is less prevalent in Massachusetts and noticeable in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Florida

ComparisonMassachusettsFlorida
Political Make-upPrimarily DemocraticMixed, with a Republican tilt
Local PoliticsProgressive policies, especially in urban areasMix of conservative and progressive, varying by county
ReligionLargely Catholic, but very diverseDiverse, with a significant Protestant population
  • Massachusetts tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a Republican tilt
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Protestant population
  • Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic but very diverse

Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Florida

ComparisonMassachusettsFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston College
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Miami
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJohn D. Hardy Elementary - Wellesley
Joseph E. Fiske Elementary- Wellesley
Vinson-Owen Elementary - Winchester
Pine View School - Osprey
A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School - Boca Raton
Somerset Academy Miramar
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWilliam Diamond Middle School - Lexington
Blanchard Middle School - Westford
Doherty Middle School - Andover
Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami
Pine View School - Osprey
Doral Academy Charter Middle School - Doral
Top 3 High School SchoolsMassachusetts Academy of Math and Science - Worcester
Lexington High School
Boston Latin School
Pine View School - Osprey
Design and Architecture Senior High - Miami
Stanton College Preparatory - Jacksonville
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy - Andover
Milton Academy - Milton
Groton School - Groton
Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale
Ransom Everglades School - Coconut Grove
American Heritage School - Plantation & Boca/Delray
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBoston University Academy - Boston
Dana Hall School (Girls) - Wellesley
Fay School - Southborough
Gulliver Preparatory School - Pinecrest
The Bolles School - Jacksonville
American Heritage School - Plantation & Boca/Delray
Top 3 School DistrictsLexington
Newton
Wellesley
Sarasota County
St. Johns County
Okaloosa County

How Much Do Massachusetts to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 1,346 miles from Massachusetts to Florida 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,671300 ft3$5.57
1 Bedroom$2,487450 ft3$5.53
2 Bedrooms$4,113750 ft3$5.48
3 Bedrooms$5,9861100 ft3$5.44
4 Bedrooms$8,6391600 ft3$5.40
5+ Bedrooms$9,6421800 ft3$5.36

Top Massachusetts to Florida Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details