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Pennsylvania to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a 391 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs coastal influence), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs New England Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, shingle style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pittsburgh-Style Steak, but get your taste buds ready for New England Clam Chowder & Boston Baked Beans (with pork)
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 134% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 71.10% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
  • Moving from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage

Pennsylvania to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Cold winters
  • Limited public transit
  • Rural areas
  • State taxes
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Coastal influence
  • Robust public transport
  • Urban amenities
  • Historical charm

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Higher cost of living
  • Dense urban areas
  • Traffic congestion
  • Colonial restrictions
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Affordable housing
  • Lower population density
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Quaker heritage

Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to coastal influence
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Massachusetts with robust public transport
  • Swap the rural areas of Pennsylvania for urban amenities in Massachusetts
  • Get ready for historical charm in Massachusetts

Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Pennsylvania to live with a higher cost of living in Massachusetts
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lower population density and have to settle for the con of dense urban areas
  • Time to bid farewell to scenic landscapes and get used to traffic congestion in Massachusetts
  • Swap Quaker heritage for colonial restrictions

Pennsylvania vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakNew England Clam Chowder
Most popular meat dishPittsburgh-Style SteakBoston Baked Beans (with pork)
Most popular street food itemSoft PretzelsLobster Rolls
Most popular vegan foodMushroom Philly CheesesteakVegan Clam Chowder
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Reading Terminal Market
  • Zahav
  • Primanti Bros.
  • Union Oyster House
  • Legal Sea Foods
  • Neptune Oyster
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 Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious New England Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pittsburgh-Style Steak and sumptuous Soft Pretzels, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Boston Baked Beans (with pork) and Lobster Rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Philly Cheesesteak 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 Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Primanti Bros. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Legal Sea Foods, and Neptune Oyster.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Shingle Style
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, backyard spaceEnergy efficiency, proximity to public transit
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Shingle Style architecture typical of Massachusetts.
  • Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and backyard space, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to public transit.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Pennsylvania.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
  • Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 134% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Pennsylvania’s $261,312.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 71.10% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMassachusetts
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 DisastersFloods, TornadoesBlizzards, Nor'easters
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 62Β°F80Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 20Β°F35Β°F / 22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)42"47"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)38"43"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 12% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
  • Massachusetts has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 5 degrees colder than Pennsylvania.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.

Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Massachusetts

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMassachusetts
Political Make-upSwing StateDemocratically Dominant
Local PoliticsVaries by CountyGenerally Liberal, especially in Urban Areas
ReligionMixed, with a large Christian populationPrimarily Christian, but more secular in general
  • Pennsylvania tends to lean swing State in its political climate
  • Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as democratically dominant
  • Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian but more secular in general
  • Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a large Christian population

Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMassachusetts
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Penn State
University of Pittsburgh
Temple University
Harvard University
MIT
Boston University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsThomas Jefferson Elementary (Pittsburgh)
Eisenhower Elementary (Camp Hill)
Bradford Heights Elementary (Downingtown)
John D. Runkle (Brookline)
Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston)
Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square)
Radnor Middle School (Radnor)
William Diamond Middle School (Lexington)
Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Top 3 High SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn)
Central High School (Philadelphia)
Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Lexington High School (Lexington)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Haverford School (Haverford)
The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr)
The Hill School (Pottstown)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Milton Academy (Milton)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Kiski School (Saltsburg)
Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh)
Wyndcroft School (Pottstown)
Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge)
The Roxbury Latin School (Boston)
Dana Hall School (Wellesley)
Top 3 School DistrictsTredyffrin-Easttown School District
Radnor Township School District
Lower Merion School District
Lexington Public Schools
Newton Public Schools
Weston Public Schools

How Much Do Pennsylvania to Massachusetts Movers Cost?

Moving 391 miles from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,211300 ft3$4.04
1 Bedroom$1,797450 ft3$3.99
2 Bedrooms$2,963750 ft3$3.95
3 Bedrooms$4,2981100 ft3$3.91
4 Bedrooms$6,1841600 ft3$3.87
5+ Bedrooms$6,8811800 ft3$3.82

Top Pennsylvania to Massachusetts Movers

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

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Massachusetts

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

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details