Massachusetts to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,274 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs St. Louis-style Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, 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 St. Louis-style Pizza & BBQ Ribs
- Missouri housing costs are 60% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Missouri is 47.43% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Missouri will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Missouri movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Missouri
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Overcrowded cities
- Strict regulations
- Milder winters
- Affordable housing
- Lesser traffic
- More space
- Fewer regulations
- Less historical presence
- Less diversity
- Fewer top schools
- Limited public transit
- Fewer industries
- Rich history
- Cultural diversity
- Renowned education
- Public transit
- Innovative industries
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Missouri
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Missouri with affordable housing
- Swap the traffic congestion of Massachusetts for lesser traffic in Missouri
- Get ready for more space in Missouri
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with less historical presence in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
- Time to bid farewell to renowned education and get used to fewer top schools in Missouri
- Swap public transit for limited public transit
Massachusetts vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | St. Louis-style Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Fried Clams | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich |
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious St. Louis-style Pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Fried Clams, Missouri residents know they have tasty BBQ Ribs and Toasted Ravioli 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 BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Woodman's of Essex, Union Oyster House, and Boston Sail Loft. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Bogart's Smokehouse, and Imo's Pizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Missouri compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Missouri
Comparison | Massachusetts | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to education, Historic charm | Spacious yards, Affordable cost of living |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to education and historic charm, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and an affordable cost of living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Missouri is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Missouri is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Missouri has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Missouri housing costs are 60% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Missouri is 47.43% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Missouri
Comparison | Massachusetts | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 89Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 40Β°F / 24Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 18" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Missouri. Missouri gets 8% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Missouri has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Missouri.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 9 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Missouri. Missouri receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Missouri
Comparison | Massachusetts | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 5.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.93% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 4.225% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Technology | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 31% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Missouri is 24% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in MO is 5.4% compared to 5.0% in MA
- The affluence in Missouri is moderate compared to prosperous in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Missouri compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Massachusetts and less noticeable in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Missouri
Comparison | Massachusetts | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive Policies | Mixed, with leanings towards Conservative |
Religion | Less Religiously Affiliated | More Religiously Affiliated |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as more Religiously Affiliated
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less Religiously Affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Missouri
Comparison | Massachusetts | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston University | University of Missouri Missouri S&T Washington University in St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | John D. Hardy Elementary School (Wellesley) Brackett Elementary School (Arlington) Vinson-Owen Elementary School (Winchester) | Conway Elementary School (Ladue) Wilson School (Clayton) Stanton Elementary School (Fenton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Prince School (Princeton) Blanchard Middle School (Westford) Boston Latin School (Boston) | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Wydown Middle School (Clayton) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) | Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Christian Brothers College High School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (St. Louis) Christian Brothers College High School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Weston School District Lexington Wellesley Public Schools | Clayton School District Ladue School District Park Hill School District |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 1,274 miles from Massachusetts to Missouri will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,925 | 300 ft3 | $6.42 |
1 Bedroom | $2,865 | 450 ft3 | $6.37 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,737 | 750 ft3 | $6.32 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,892 | 1100 ft3 | $6.27 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,945 | 1600 ft3 | $6.22 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,098 | 1800 ft3 | $6.17 |
Top Massachusetts to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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