Massachusetts to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 878 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs midwestern, 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 Boston Baked Beans (with pork), but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Sugar Cream Pie
- Indiana housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Indiana is 46.85% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Indiana movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Indiana
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Harsh winters
- Dense population
- Affordable housing
- Smoother commutes
- Milder winters
- Open spaces
- Less historical depth
- Limited educational options
- Inland location
- Fewer restaurants
- Rich history
- Renowned education
- Ocean access
- Diverse dining
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Indiana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Indiana with smoother commutes
- Swap the harsh winters of Massachusetts for milder winters in Indiana
- Get ready for open spaces in Indiana
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with less historical depth in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned education and have to settle with the con of limited educational options
- Time to bid farewell to ocean access and get used to an inland location in Indiana
- Swap diverse dining for fewer restaurants
Massachusetts vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Boston Baked Beans (with pork) | Sugar Cream Pie |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Corn Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Vegetable Pakora |
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 Massachusetts to Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Boston Baked Beans (with pork) and sumptuous Lobster Roll, Indiana residents know they have tasty Sugar Cream Pie and Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Pakora of Indiana. 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 Neptune Oyster. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Indiana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Midwestern, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to Boston, Ocean Access | Spacious Yards, Affordability |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Midwestern and Ranch architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to Boston and ocean access, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and affordability.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Indiana is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Indiana is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Indiana has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Indiana housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Indiana is 46.85% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Indiana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 18Β°F | 35Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Massachusetts to Indiana. Indiana gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Indiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and flooding in Indiana.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Indiana is 5 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Indiana. Indiana receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Indiana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 5.00% | 3.23% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.89% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Technology | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 29% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Indiana will be 24% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in IN is 3.23% compared to 5.00% in MA
- The affluence in Indiana is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Indiana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive policies | Traditional policies |
Religion | Mixed, with a larger non-affiliated population | Predominantly Christian |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a larger non-affiliated population
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Indiana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts Amherst | Indiana University Bloomington Purdue University University of Notre Dame |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary (Wellesley) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) Chickering School (Dover) | Paramount School of Excellence (Indianapolis) Signature School (Evansville) University Elementary School (Bloomington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Wellesley Middle School (Wellesley) | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School (West Lafayette) Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art (Bloomington) Fall Creek Valley Middle School (Indianapolis) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookline High (Brookline) Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High (Lexington) | Signature School (Evansville) Herron High School (Indianapolis) Carmel High School (Carmel) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) | Culver Academies (Culver) Park Tudor School (Indianapolis) Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | British International School of Boston (Boston) The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston) Bancroft School (Worcester) | International School of Indiana (Indianapolis) University High School of Indiana (Carmel) Traders Point Christian Academy (Whitestown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools Weston School District | Carmel Clay Schools West Lafayette Community School Corporation Zionsville Community Schools |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 878 miles from Massachusetts to Indiana 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 | $2,528 | 450 ft3 | $5.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,176 | 750 ft3 | $5.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,069 | 1100 ft3 | $5.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,748 | 1600 ft3 | $5.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,751 | 1800 ft3 | $5.42 |
Top Massachusetts to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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