Massachusetts to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 2,290 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Bison Steak), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs rustic, 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 Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Bison Steak & Elk Burger
- Montana housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Montana is 44.49% more affordable than Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Montana movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Montana
- High cost of living
- Dense population
- Heavy traffic
- Harsh winters
- Limited wildlife
- Affordable housing
- Spacious open areas
- Low congestion
- Milder climate
- Rich in wildlife
- Less historical sites
- Limited seafood options
- Lesser public transport
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited job opportunities
- Rich history
- Seafood delicacies
- Robust public transport
- Abundant cultural events
- Diverse job market
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Montana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Montana with spacious open areas
- Swap the heavy traffic of Massachusetts for low congestion in Montana
- Get ready for a milder climate in Montana
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with fewer historical sites in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of seafood delicacies and have to settle with the con of limited seafood options
- Time to bid farewell to robust public transport and get used to lesser public transport in Montana
- Swap abundant cultural events for fewer cultural events
Massachusetts vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Bison Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Elk Burger |
Most popular street food item | Roast Beef Sandwich | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Lentil Stew |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Bison Steak of Montana. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Roast Beef Sandwich, Montana residents know they have tasty Elk Burger and Huckleberry Pie 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 Lentil Stew of Montana. 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 Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Living Room Coffee House, Buckhorn Bar, and Sykes Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Montana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Rustic, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to public transportation, historic details | Mountain views, large plots |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Ranch architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference close proximity to public transportation and historic details, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large plots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Montana housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Montana is 44.49% more affordable than Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Montana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Varies widely due to wildfires |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 22Β°F | 30Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.7 | 15 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 90 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Montana. Montana gets 3% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Montana has lower 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 wildfires and snowstorms in Montana.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 32.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Montana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 5.00% | 6.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Technology | Agriculture, Healthcare, Retail |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 28% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Montana is 18% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in MT is 6.75% compared to 5.00% in MA
- The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Montana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Strong Democratic urban centers | Rural conservative areas with some Democratic strongholds |
Religion | Catholic majority with significant Protestant presence | More diverse with Protestant majority and a notable Catholic community |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Montana's religious environment can be described as more diverse with a Protestant majority and a notable Catholic community
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority with a significant Protestant presence
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Montana
Comparison | Massachusetts | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston College | Montana State University University of Montana Carroll College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary (Wellesley) Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston) John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Chief Joseph Elementary (Great Falls) Arrowhead School (Pray) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston) John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science (Boston) | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) Helena Middle School (Helena) East Middle School (Great Falls) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High (Lexington) Brookline High (Brookline) | Bozeman High (Bozeman) Hellgate High (Missoula) Sentinel High (Missoula) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) | Missoula International School (Missoula) Carroll College High School (Helena) Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge) The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Belmont Hill School (Belmont) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Valley Christian School (Missoula) Billings Christian School (Billings) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Wellesley Newton | Bozeman Helena Billings |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 2,290 miles from Massachusetts to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,501 | 300 ft3 | $8.34 |
1 Bedroom | $3,729 | 450 ft3 | $8.29 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,177 | 750 ft3 | $8.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,004 | 1100 ft3 | $8.19 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,017 | 1600 ft3 | $8.14 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,554 | 1800 ft3 | $8.09 |
Top Massachusetts to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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