Movers

New York to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 220 mile interstate move from New York to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost in suburbs), food & health (like New York-style pizza vs Clam chowder), real estate & housing (art deco, brownstone vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to New York-style pizza and Beef brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Clam chowder & Lobster roll
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 33% more expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 1.61% more expensive than in New York
  • Moving from New York to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended New York to Massachusetts movers is JP Urban Moving

New York to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Massachusetts

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hectic lifestyle
  • Limited nature access
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Lower cost in suburbs
  • Less rush hour chaos
  • Calmer, suburban life
  • Abundant outdoor spaces

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Smaller arts community
  • Fewer restaurant options
  • Less nightlife variety
  • Job market may vary
New York iconNew York
  • Diverse cultural scene
  • World-class dining
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Job opportunities

Pros of moving from New York to Massachusetts

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to a lower cost in the suburbs
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Massachusetts with less rush hour chaos
  • Swap the hectic lifestyle of New York for a calmer suburban life in Massachusetts
  • Get ready for abundant outdoor spaces in Massachusetts

Cons of moving from New York to Massachusetts

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse cultural scene in New York to live with a smaller arts community in Massachusetts
  • You'll lose out on the pro of world-class dining and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurant options
  • Time to bid farewell to the vibrant nightlife and get used to less nightlife variety in Massachusetts
  • Swap job opportunities for a job market that may vary

New York vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemNew York-style pizzaClam chowder
Most popular meat dishBeef brisketLobster roll
Most popular street food itemHot dogsFried clams
Most popular vegan foodAvocado toastQuinoa salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from New York to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic New York-style pizza of New York for the equally delicious clam chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful beef brisket and sumptuous hot dogs, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty lobster roll and fried clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the avocado toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the quinoa salad of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Carmine's, and Per Se. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Woodman's of Essex, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster.

When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Massachusetts.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Massachusetts

ComparisonNew YorkMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleArt Deco, BrownstoneColonial, Victorian
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 listingClose to subway, rooftop accessHistoric details, proximity to parks
  • The Art Deco and Brownstone architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subway and rooftop access, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to parks.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Massachusetts is less walkable than New York.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than New York.
  • Massachusetts has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 33% more expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 1.61% more expensive than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Massachusetts

ComparisonNew YorkMassachusetts
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 DisastersHurricanes, BlizzardsNor'easters, Blizzards
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 66Β°F80Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)39Β°F / 26Β°F37Β°F / 22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.947.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.343.8
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 11% fewer sunshine days than New York.
  • Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts.
  • The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 2 degrees colder than in New York.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 2.2 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Massachusetts

ComparisonNew YorkMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$79,557$94,488
Cost of Living Index102.8121.55
State Income Tax4% - 10.9%5%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%1.2%
Avg. Sales Tax4% - 8.875%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, RetailEducation, Healthcare, Technology
AffluenceHighHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 19% more than those in New York
  • The COLI in Massachusetts will be 18% higher than what you are used to living in New York
  • The state income tax in MA is 5% compared to 4% - 10.9% in NY
  • The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to that in New York
  • The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and moderate in Massachusetts

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Massachusetts

ComparisonNew YorkMassachusetts
Political Make-upGenerally DemocraticPredominantly Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive Urban CentersLiberal Leaning
ReligionDiverseHeavily Catholic
  • New York tends to lean generally Democratic in its political climate
  • Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly Democratic
  • Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as heavily Catholic
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Massachusetts

ComparisonNew YorkMassachusetts
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)New York University
University of Buffalo
Stony Brook University
Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsP.S. 334 The Anderson School (New York City)
P.S. 77 Lower Lab School (New York City)
Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 (Bronx)
John D. Hardy Elementary School (Wellesley)
Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston)
Joseph E. Fiske Elementary School (Wellesley)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsP.S. 122 Mamie Fay (Astoria)
The Spence School (New York City)
The Baccalaureate School for Global Education (Astoria)
William Diamond Middle School (Lexington)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston)
Top 3 High SchoolsStuyvesant High School (New York City)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Syosset Senior High School (Syosset)
Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Lexington High School (Lexington)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Brearley School (New York City)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
The Chapin School (New York City)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Milton Academy (Milton)
The Winsor School (Boston)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Chapin School (New York City)
The Brearley School (New York City)
Collegiate School (New York City)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Milton Academy (Milton)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
Top 3 School DistrictsGreat Neck School District
Jericho Union Free School District
Syosset Central School District
Lexington Public Schools
Wellesley Public Schools
Newton Public Schools

How Much Do New York to Massachusetts Movers Cost?

Moving 220 miles from New York to Massachusetts will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,128300 ft3$3.76
1 Bedroom$1,673450 ft3$3.72
2 Bedrooms$2,757750 ft3$3.68
3 Bedrooms$3,9961100 ft3$3.63
4 Bedrooms$5,7451600 ft3$3.59
5+ Bedrooms$6,3861800 ft3$3.55

Top New York to Massachusetts Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Massachusetts

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details

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