Michigan to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 863 mile interstate move from Michigan to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Detroit-style Pizza vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Detroit-style Pizza and Coney Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 155% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Massachusetts is 75.03% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Michigan to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Massachusetts
- Harsh winters
- Lower job growth
- Limited public transport
- Urban sprawl
- Basque cuisine
- Milder winters
- Thriving job market
- Excellent transit system
- Compact cities
- Diverse dining options
- Coastal storms
- Higher cost of living
- Less open parkland
- Fast-paced environment
- Unpredictable weather
- Great Lakes beauty
- Affordable living
- Abundant green spaces
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Michigan to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from lower job growth and moving to Massachusetts with a thriving job market
- Swap the limited public transport of Michigan for an excellent transit system in Massachusetts
- Get ready for compact cities in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Michigan to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Great Lakes beauty in Michigan to live with coastal storms in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of affordable living and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to abundant green spaces and get used to less open parkland in Massachusetts
- Swap a laid-back lifestyle for a fast-paced environment
Michigan vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Detroit-style Pizza | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Coney Dog | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Pasties | Fried Clams |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Jackfruit Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Michigan to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Detroit-style Pizza of Michigan for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Coney Dog and sumptuous Pasties, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Deli, and Bell's Eccentric Café. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Speed's Deli.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts, compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Massachusetts
Comparison | Michigan | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakefront, Spacious Yards | Access to Public Transportation, Historic Homes |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront and spacious yards, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic homes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 155% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Michigan's $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 75.03% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Massachusetts
Comparison | Michigan | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Nor'easters, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 80°F / 59°F | 82°F / 62°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 31°F / 17°F | 37°F / 22°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8" | 47.7" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66" | 43.8" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 18% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts.
- The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 2 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 14.9 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Massachusetts
Comparison | Michigan | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Health Care, Technology | Technology, Education, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 41% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Massachusetts will be 33% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in MA is 5.00% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Michigan and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Michigan | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state, traditionally leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of rural conservative areas and urban liberal areas | Dominated by liberal politics, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Protestant Christian, but diverse religious population | Primarily Catholic, with a diverse religious landscape |
- Michigan tends to lean as a battleground state and traditionally leans Democratic in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic with a diverse religious landscape
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant Christian but with a diverse religious population
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Massachusetts
Comparison | Michigan | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | N/A | N/A |
Top 3 Middle Schools | N/A | N/A |
Top 3 High Schools | N/A | N/A |
Top 3 private high schools | N/A | N/A |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | N/A | N/A |
Top 3 School Districts | N/A | N/A |
How Much Do Michigan to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 863 miles from Michigan to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,692 | 300 ft3 | $5.64 |
1 Bedroom | $2,515 | 450 ft3 | $5.59 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,154 | 750 ft3 | $5.54 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,038 | 1100 ft3 | $5.49 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,703 | 1600 ft3 | $5.44 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,700 | 1800 ft3 | $5.39 |
Top Michigan to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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