Massachusetts to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 903 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial revival, craftsman), 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 Fried Chicken & Hot Brown
- Kentucky housing costs are 67% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Kentucky is 48.43% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Kentucky movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Kentucky
- High cost of living
- Heavy snowfall
- Traffic congestion
- High taxes
- Lack of space
- Affordable housing
- Mild winters
- Less crowded roads
- Lower taxes
- Ample green areas
- Fewer top-ranked colleges
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Less cultural diversity
- No oceanfront
- Fewer specialty hospitals
- Exceptional schools
- Rich history
- Diverse culture
- Coastal access
- Top-tier healthcare
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from heavy snowfall and moving to Kentucky with mild winters
- Swap the traffic congestion of Massachusetts for less crowded roads in Kentucky
- Get ready for lower taxes in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from exceptional schools in Massachusetts to live with fewer top-ranked colleges in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical landmarks
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Kentucky
- Swap coastal access for no oceanfront
Massachusetts vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Hot Brown |
Most popular street food item | Cod Bites | Barbecue Pork Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Bean Chili |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Cod Bites, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Hot Brown and Barbecue Pork Sandwiches 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 Bean Chili of Kentucky. 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 Sea Foods. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Freight House, Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, and Ramsey's Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Kentucky
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial Revival, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Accessibility, Historic Charm | Spacious Yards, Privacy |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference accessibility and historic charm, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Kentucky housing costs are 67% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Kentucky is 48.43% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Kentucky
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.7" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Massachusetts to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Kentucky has higher 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 tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 5 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 2.3 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Kentucky
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.00% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.17% | 0.86% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Education, Healthcare | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 37% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 28% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- There's no change in state income tax between Massachusetts and Kentucky
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Liberal/Democratic | Lean Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive Policies | Traditional Values |
Religion | Less Religiously Affiliated | Higher Religious Affiliation |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as lean Conservative/Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as having a higher Religious Affiliation
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less Religiously Affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Kentucky
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary (Wellesley) John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Maria Hastings Elementary (Lexington) | Greathouse Shryock Traditional (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Brandeis Elementary (Louisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Louisville Classical Academy (Louisville) Meyzeek Middle School (Louisville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester) Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) The Gatton Academy (Bowling Green) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Trinity High School (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Boston University Academy (Boston) The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston) Dexter Southfield (Brookline) | Sayre School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) The Lexington School (Lexington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools Weston Public Schools | Fayette County Public Schools Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 903 miles from Massachusetts to Kentucky 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 | $1,714 | 300 ft3 | $5.71 |
1 Bedroom | $2,549 | 450 ft3 | $5.66 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,211 | 750 ft3 | $5.61 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,121 | 1100 ft3 | $5.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,824 | 1600 ft3 | $5.51 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,837 | 1800 ft3 | $5.46 |
Top Massachusetts to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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