Virginia to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 606 mile interstate move from Virginia to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Ham vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Virginia
- Rent in Massachusetts is 38.71% more expensive than in Virginia
- Moving from Virginia to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Virginia to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Virginia to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Massachusetts
- Hot summers
- Higher crime rates
- Traffic congestion
- Limited public transit
- Cooler climate
- Safer cities
- Efficient public transport
- Robust transit system
- Higher living expenses
- Harsh winters
- Higher taxes
- Expensive real estate
- Lower cost of living
- Mild winters
- Rich history
- Beautiful countryside
Pros of moving from Virginia to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from higher crime rates and moving to Massachusetts with safer cities
- Swap the traffic congestion of Virginia for efficient public transport in Massachusetts
- Get ready for a robust transit system in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Virginia to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Virginia to live with higher living expenses in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to higher taxes in Massachusetts
- Swap beautiful countryside for expensive real estate
Virginia vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Virginia | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Ham | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Peanuts | Clam Cakes |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan BBQ | Bean Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | 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 Virginia to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Peanuts, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Clam Cakes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Bean Burgers of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Lehja, and L'Auberge ProvenΓ§ale. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Oleana, Neptune Oyster, and The Daily Catch.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Massachusetts
Comparison | Virginia | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to nature | Access to public transportation, historic charm |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to nature, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Virginiaβs $385,780.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 38.71% more expensive than in Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Massachusetts
Comparison | Virginia | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Snowstorms, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86Β°F/66Β°F | 82Β°F/62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 48Β°F/29Β°F | 37Β°F/22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 10-20" | 40-80" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 4 degrees colder than in Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Massachusetts
Comparison | Virginia | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $85,873 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.6 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.82% | 1.24% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.3% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Tech, Agriculture | Education, Healthcare, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 10% more than those in Virginia
- The COLI in Massachusetts will be 26% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
- The state income tax in MA is 5% compared to 2% - 5.75% in VA
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Massachusetts compared to low in Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Virginia and noticeable in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Virginia | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a balanced mix of Republican and Democrat voters | Primarily Democrat with strong liberal leanings |
Local Politics | Varies significantly from one county to another | Generally liberal throughout, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Mixed, with a strong presence of Evangelical Protestants | Primarily Catholic, with other religions well represented |
- Virginia tends to lean swing state with a balanced mix of Republican and Democrat voters in its political climate.
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democrat with strong liberal leanings.
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic with other religions well represented.
- Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a strong presence of Evangelical Protestants.
Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Massachusetts
Comparison | Virginia | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Virginia Virginia Tech James Madison University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Arlington Science Focus School Arlington; Nottingham Elementary School Arlington; Stenwood Elementary School Vienna | John D. Hardy Elementary Wellesley; Edward Brooke Charter School Boston; Vinson-Owen Elementary Winchester |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School Falls Church; Cooper Middle School McLean; Glasgow Middle School Alexandria | William Diamond Middle School Lexington; Jonas Clarke Middle School Lexington; Thomas Prince School Princeton |
Top 3 High Schools | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Alexandria; McLean High School McLean; Langley High School McLean | Boston Latin School Boston; Lexington High School Lexington; Brookline High School Brookline |
Top 3 private high schools | The Madeira School McLean; St. Christopher's School Richmond; Episcopal High School Alexandria | Phillips Academy Andover; Roxbury Latin School Boston; Belmont Hill School Belmont |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Potomac School McLean; Flint Hill School Oakton; Collegiate School Richmond | Noble and Greenough School Dedham; Milton Academy Milton; Groton School Groton |
Top 3 School Districts | Falls Church City Public Schools; Loudoun County Public Schools; Arlington Public Schools | Lexington Public Schools; Weston Public Schools; Wellesley Public Schools |
How Much Do Virginia to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 606 miles from Virginia 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: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,314 | 300 ft3 | $4.38 |
1 Bedroom | $1,952 | 450 ft3 | $4.34 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,222 | 750 ft3 | $4.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,678 | 1100 ft3 | $4.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,737 | 1600 ft3 | $4.21 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,502 | 1800 ft3 | $4.17 |
Top Virginia to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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