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Massachusetts to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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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

ConsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Harsh winters
  • Higher cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Tight job market
  • Higher taxes
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Mild winters
  • Affordable housing
  • Efficient highways
  • Growing industries
  • Lower taxes

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Fewer renowned schools
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Inland locales
  • Niche tech industry
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • 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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemClam ChowderPulled Pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishBaked Beans and Boston ButtEastern NC Barbecue
Most popular street food itemLobster RollCarolina Style Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodVegan Clam ChowderBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Legal Sea Foods
  • Union Oyster House
  • Neptune Oyster
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • Buxton Hall Barbecue
  • The Pit
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleColonialCraftsman
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, access to public transportationLarge 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 Massachusetts’s $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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Carolina
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, BlizzardsHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F88Β°F / 68Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 22Β°F50Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47.750.3
Annual Snowfall (Inches)515
  • 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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$94,488$67,481
Cost of Living Index121.5595.85
State Income Tax5.0%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.24%0.77%
Avg. Sales Tax6.25%6.98%
Top 3 IndustriesEducation, Healthcare, FinanceAgriculture, Manufacturing, Technology
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • 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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLiberal/ProgressiveModerately Conservative
Local PoliticsDemocratic DominanceMix of Republican and Democrat
ReligionCatholic MajorityProtestant 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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth 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 SchoolsPierce
Boston; Brackett
Arlington; Vinson-Owen
Winchester
Endhaven Elementary
Charlotte; Quest Academy
Raleigh; Marvin Elementary
Marvin
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWilliam Diamond
Lexington; Blanchard
Boxborough; Pollard
Needham
Margaret B. Pollard
Chapel Hill; Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Charlotte; Jay M. Robinson
Charlotte
Top 3 High School SchoolsBoston 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 schoolsPhillips 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 schoolsBritish 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 DistrictsLexington
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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,365300 ft3$4.55
1 Bedroom$2,028450 ft3$4.51
2 Bedrooms$3,348750 ft3$4.46
3 Bedrooms$4,8641100 ft3$4.42
4 Bedrooms$7,0071600 ft3$4.38
5+ Bedrooms$7,8061800 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.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to North Carolina

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Varsity Movers LLC featured image

Varsity Movers LLC

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details