Massachusetts to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 711 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial vs 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 Baked Beans and Boston Butt, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern NC Barbecue
- North Carolina housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in North Carolina is 31.77% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to North Carolina movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to North Carolina
- Harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Tight job market
- Higher taxes
- Mild winters
- Affordable housing
- Efficient highways
- Growing industries
- Lower taxes
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer renowned schools
- Less cultural diversity
- Inland locales
- Niche tech industry
- Rich history
- Prestigious colleges
- Cultural experiences
- Proximity to beaches
- Evolving tech scene
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to North Carolina with affordable housing
- Swap the heavy traffic of Massachusetts for efficient highways in North Carolina
- Get ready for growing industries in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich history in Massachusetts to live with fewer historical sites in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of prestigious colleges and have to settle for the con of fewer renowned schools
- Time to bid farewell to cultural experiences and get used to less cultural diversity in North Carolina
- Swap proximity to beaches for inland locales
Massachusetts vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Baked Beans and Boston Butt | Eastern NC Barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Carolina Style Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Clam Chowder | BBQ Jackfruit |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Baked Beans, Boston Butt, and sumptuous Lobster Roll, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC Barbecue and Carolina Style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Clam Chowder they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and The Pit.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and North Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, access to public transportation | Large yards, proximity to nature |
- The Colonial architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and access to public transportation, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Carolina is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Carolina is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- North Carolina housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in North Carolina is 31.77% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and North Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 88Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.7 | 50.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 7% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 6 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 2.6 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and North Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.24% | 0.77% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Finance | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technology |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 29% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 21% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 5.0% in MA
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Progressive | Moderately Conservative |
Local Politics | Democratic Dominance | Mix of Republican and Democrat |
Religion | Catholic Majority | Protestant Majority |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Progressive in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Conservative
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as Protestant majority
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to North Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston University | University of North Carolina NC State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pierce Boston; Brackett Arlington; Vinson-Owen Winchester | Endhaven Elementary Charlotte; Quest Academy Raleigh; Marvin Elementary Marvin |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Lexington; Blanchard Boxborough; Pollard Needham | Margaret B. Pollard Chapel Hill; Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy Charlotte; Jay M. Robinson Charlotte |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boston Latin School Boston; Sturgis Charter Public School Hyannis; Lexington High Lexington | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Durham; Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh; Ardrey Kell High School Charlotte |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy Andover Andover; Roxbury Latin School West Roxbury; Noble and Greenough School Dedham | Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte; Cary Academy Cary; Greensboro Day School Greensboro |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | British International School of Boston Boston; International School of Boston Cambridge; The Cambridge School of Weston Weston | Charlotte Latin School Charlotte; Cary Academy Cary; Durham Academy Durham |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Newton Wellesley | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Union County Public Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Massachusetts to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 711 miles from Massachusetts to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,365 | 300 ft3 | $4.55 |
1 Bedroom | $2,028 | 450 ft3 | $4.51 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,348 | 750 ft3 | $4.46 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,864 | 1100 ft3 | $4.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,007 | 1600 ft3 | $4.38 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,806 | 1800 ft3 | $4.34 |
Top Massachusetts to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to North Carolina