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Massachusetts to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 221 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Bagel with Lox), real estate & housing (colonial vs modern and high-rise), 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 Bagel with Lox & Beef Pastrami Sandwich
  • New York housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
  • Rent in New York is 1.58% more affordable than in Massachusetts
  • Moving from Massachusetts to New York will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Massachusetts to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Massachusetts to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to New York

ConsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • High living costs
  • Suburban lifestyle
  • Fewer entertainment options
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Milder winters
  • Diverse employment opportunities
  • Economic diversity
  • Vibrant city life
  • Abundant cultural events

New York iconNew York
  • Competitive school admissions
  • Less accessible beaches
  • Less historical ambiance
  • Urban congestion
  • Faster-paced lifestyle
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Strong educational system
  • Breathtaking coastlines
  • Rich history
  • Charming small towns
  • Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Massachusetts to New York

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to New York with diverse employment opportunities
  • Swap the high living costs of Massachusetts for economic diversity in New York
  • Get ready for vibrant city life in New York

Cons of moving from Massachusetts to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a strong educational system in Massachusetts to live with competitive school admissions in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of breathtaking coastlines and have to settle for the con of less accessible beaches
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to a less historical ambiance in New York
  • Swap charming small towns for urban congestion

Massachusetts vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMassachusettsNew York
Most iconic local food itemClam ChowderBagel with Lox
Most popular meat dishLobster RollBeef Pastrami Sandwich
Most popular street food itemCod Fish CakeHot Dog
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Union Oyster House
    • Neptune Oyster
    • Legal Sea Foods
    • Katz's Delicatessen
    • Dominique Ansel Bakery
    • Peter Luger 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 New York, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Bagel with Lox of New York. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Cod Fish Cake, New York residents know they have tasty Beef Pastrami Sandwich and Hot Dog 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 Vegan Pizza of New York. 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 New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Peter Luger Steak House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and New York

ComparisonMassachusettsNew York
Typical Architecture StyleColonialModern and High-rise
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 CountertopsLoft Spaces, Proximity to Subway
  • The Colonial architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Modern and High-rise architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, New York real estate listings often highlight features like loft spaces and proximity to the subway.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than Massachusetts.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
  • New York housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Massachusetts’s $612,509.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
  • Rent in New York is 1.58% more affordable than in Massachusetts.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and New York

ComparisonMassachusettsNew York
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 DisastersNor'easters, blizzardsNor'easters, hurricanes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 60Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 22Β°F38Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47"49.9"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)51"62"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to New York. New York gets 12% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
  • New York 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 nor'easters and hurricanes in New York.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New York is 5 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York. New York receives 2.9 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and New York

ComparisonMassachusettsNew York
Avg. Household Income$94,488$79,557
Cost of Living Index121.55102.8
State Income Tax5.00%4.00% - 8.82%
Avg. Property Tax1.23%1.70%
Avg. Sales Tax6.25%8.49%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Education, TechnologyFinance, Media, Healthcare
AffluenceHighVaried
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 16% less than those in Massachusetts
  • The COLI in New York is 15% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
  • The state income tax in NY is 4.00% to 8.82% compared to 5.00% in MA
  • The affluence in New York is varied compared to high in Massachusetts
  • The poverty level is moderate in New York compared to moderate in Massachusetts
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Massachusetts and moderate in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. New York

ComparisonMassachusettsNew York
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticLiberal/Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive policies in urban areasDiverse political landscape with progressive urban centers
ReligionChristianity (Catholic, Protestant), non-religiousChristianity (Catholic, Jewish), non-religious
  • Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
  • New York's religious environment can be described as Christianity (Catholic, Jewish) and non-religious
  • Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity (Catholic, Protestant) and non-religious

Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to New York

ComparisonMassachusettsNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston University
Columbia University
New York University
Cornell University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJoseph E. Fiske Elementary (Wellesley)
John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley)
Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester)
PS 334 The Anderson School (New York)
PS 77 Lower Lab School (New York)
Success Academy Charter School-Cobble Hill (Brooklyn)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWilliam Diamond Middle School (Lexington)
Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington)
Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School (Norwood)
East Side Middle School (New York)
New York City Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies (New York)
Success Academy Charter School-Hudson Yards (New York)
Top 3 High SchoolsMassachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Lexington High School (Lexington)
Stuyvesant High School (New York)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Andover)
Groton School (Groton)
Milton Academy (Milton)
The Brearley School (New York)
Collegiate School (New York)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBuckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
The Dexter Southfield School (Brookline)
Trinity School (New York)
Riverdale Country School (Bronx)
The Chapin School (New York)
Top 3 School DistrictsLexington Public Schools
Weston Public Schools
Wellesley Public Schools
Scarsdale Union Free School District
Jericho Union Free School District
Great Neck Public Schools

How Much Do Massachusetts to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 221 miles from Massachusetts to New York will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,129300 ft3$3.76
1 Bedroom$1,674450 ft3$3.72
2 Bedrooms$2,758750 ft3$3.68
3 Bedrooms$3,9981100 ft3$3.63
4 Bedrooms$5,7471600 ft3$3.59
5+ Bedrooms$6,3891800 ft3$3.55

Top Massachusetts to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to New York

9.85/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

9.71/10
Exceptional