Minnesota to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,535 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (prairie school, colonial vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 85% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Massachusetts is 52.36% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Massachusetts will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Minnesota to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Massachusetts
- Severe winters
- Limited coastline
- Flat landscapes
- Sparse population
- Milder winters
- Access to beaches
- Varied terrain
- Vibrant city life
- Higher living costs
- Congested roads
- Expensive real estate
- Densely populated
- Friendly community
- Lower traffic
- Affordable housing
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Massachusetts with access to beaches
- Swap the flat landscapes of Minnesota for varied terrain in Massachusetts
- Get ready for vibrant city life in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a friendly community in Minnesota to live with higher living costs in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower traffic and have to settle for the con of congested roads
- Time to bid farewell to affordable housing and get used to expensive real estate in Massachusetts
- Swap outdoor activities for a densely populated environment
Minnesota vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Mini Donuts | Cannoli |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Vegan Clam Chowder |
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 Minnesota to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Mini Donuts, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Cannoli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Bachelor Farmer, and Al's Breakfast. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Massachusetts
Comparison | Minnesota | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie School, Colonial | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake Access, Spacious Yards | Historic Details, Proximity to Public Transit |
- The Prairie School and Colonial architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to public transit.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Massachusetts is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 85% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 52.36% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Massachusetts
Comparison | Minnesota | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes | Nor'easters, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 80Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 36Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.2 | 47.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 43.8 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 1% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and hurricanes in Massachusetts.
- The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 3 degrees colder than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows in Massachusetts are 15 degrees warmer than those in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 17.5 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Massachusetts
Comparison | Minnesota | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.12% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.43% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Finance, Education, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 15% more than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 23% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in MA is 5.00% compared to 5.35% in MN
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Massachusetts compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Minnesota | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Community-focused, with emphasis on healthcare and education | Progressive policies, with emphasis on social issues and technology |
Religion | Christian dominance, but religiously diverse | Less religious, with a variety of represented faiths |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as less religious with a variety of represented faiths
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian dominance but are religiously diverse
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Massachusetts
Comparison | Minnesota | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities University of Saint Thomas Minnesota State University-Mankato | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) | John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) Joseph Estabrook Elementary (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) South View Middle School (Edina) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Thomas Prince School (Princeton) |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Lexington High School (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools | Lexington Public Schools Weston Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 1,535 miles from Minnesota to Massachusetts will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,073 | 300 ft3 | $6.91 |
1 Bedroom | $3,087 | 450 ft3 | $6.86 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,107 | 750 ft3 | $6.81 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,435 | 1100 ft3 | $6.76 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,734 | 1600 ft3 | $6.71 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,986 | 1800 ft3 | $6.66 |
Top Minnesota to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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