Massachusetts to New Hampshire Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 78 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to New Hampshire? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs New Hampshire across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs no state income tax), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Apple Cider Donuts), real estate & housing (colonial, contemporary vs cape cod, colonial), 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 Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Apple Cider Donuts & Venison
- New Hampshire housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in New Hampshire is 22.50% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire will cost on average between $1,000 - $3,500
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to New Hampshire movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to New Hampshire Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire
- High cost of living
- Urban congestion
- Severe winter traffic
- Higher property taxes
- No state income tax
- Less crowded
- Quieter roads
- Lower property taxes
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited public transit
- Fewer university options
- Fewer dining choices
- Rich cultural activities
- Public transportation
- World-class education
- Diverse restaurants
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to no state income tax
- Look forward to moving away from urban congestion and moving to New Hampshire with less crowding
- Swap the severe winter traffic of Massachusetts for quieter roads in New Hampshire
- Get ready for lower property taxes in New Hampshire
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural activities in Massachusetts to live with fewer cultural events in New Hampshire
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transportation and have to settle for the con of limited public transit
- Time to bid farewell to world-class education and get used to fewer university options in New Hampshire
- Swap diverse restaurants for fewer dining choices
Massachusetts vs. New Hampshire: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Apple Cider Donuts |
Most popular meat dish | Baked Beans and Pork | Venison |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Fried Dough |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Scramble | Maple Granola |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 New Hampshire, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Apple Cider Donuts of New Hampshire. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Baked Beans and Pork and sumptuous Lobster Roll, New Hampshire residents know they have tasty Venison and Fried Dough to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Maple Granola of New Hampshire. 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 Hampshire, don't wait too long before making your way to New Hampshire's acclaimed eateries like The Common Man, Woodstock Inn Brewery, and Mountain View Grand Resort.
When comparing lifestyles, New Hampshire shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Hampshire compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Hampshire.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Contemporary | Cape Cod, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Access to public transportation, Energy efficiency | Natural scenery, Privacy |
- The Colonial and Contemporary architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Colonial architecture typical of New Hampshire.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference access to public transportation and energy efficiency, New Hampshire real estate listings often highlight features like natural scenery and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Hampshire is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Hampshire is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- New Hampshire has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- New Hampshire housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $465,926 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Hampshire have increased 68% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in New Hampshire is 22.50% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Blizzards, Occasional Tornado |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 62Β°F | 77Β°F / 56Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 34Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.7" | 46.8" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 71" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. New Hampshire gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- New Hampshire has higher humidity and a similar 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, blizzards, and occasional tornadoes in New Hampshire.
- The average summer high temperature in New Hampshire is 3 degrees colder than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Hampshire. New Hampshire receives 0.9 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $89,992 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 116.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 0.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 2.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 0.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Technology | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Prosperous | Comfortable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Hampshire tend to earn about 5% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in New Hampshire will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- Hooray, moving to NH means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in New Hampshire is comfortable compared to prosperous in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is low in New Hampshire compared to moderate in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Massachusetts and minimal in New Hampshire
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. New Hampshire
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely Democratic | Mixed, with a libertarian streak |
Local Politics | Progressive policies | Local control and low taxes emphasized |
Religion | Primarily Catholic, followed by Protestant | Less religiously affiliated, diverse beliefs |
- Massachusetts tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
- New Hampshire, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a libertarian streak
- New Hampshire's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with diverse beliefs
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic followed by Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston University | Dartmouth College University of New Hampshire Saint Anselm College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary Wellesley; Vinson-Owen Elementary Winchester; Chickering School Dover | Little Harbour School Portsmouth; Main Dunstable Elementary School Nashua; Matthew Thornton Elementary Londonderry |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School Lexington; Edward W. Brooke Charter School Boston; Blanchard Middle School Westford | Rye Junior High School Rye; Hollis Brookline Middle School Hollis; Amherst Middle School Amherst |
Top 3 High School Schools | Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science Worcester; Boston Latin School Boston; Lexington High School Lexington | Academy for Science and Design Nashua; Bedford High School Bedford; Hanover High School Hanover |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy Andover; Milton Academy Milton; Groton School Groton | Phillips Exeter Academy Exeter; St. Paul's School Concord; The Derryfield School Manchester |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Noble and Greenough School Dedham; Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Cambridge; The Roxbury Latin School West Roxbury | The Derryfield School Manchester; Brewster Academy Wolfeboro; Kimball Union Academy Meriden |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Newton Wellesley | Bedford Windham Amherst |
How Much Do Massachusetts to New Hampshire Movers Cost?
Moving 78 miles from Massachusetts to New Hampshire will typically cost between $1,500 and $3,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $3,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,060 | 300 ft3 | $3.53 |
1 Bedroom | $1,570 | 450 ft3 | $3.49 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,585 | 750 ft3 | $3.45 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,745 | 1100 ft3 | $3.40 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,380 | 1600 ft3 | $3.36 |
5+ Bedrooms | $5,976 | 1800 ft3 | $3.32 |
Top Massachusetts to New Hampshire Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to New Hampshire movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to New Hampshire