Washington to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 2,961 mile interstate move from Washington to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Salmon vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (craftsman, contemporary 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 Salmon and Teriyaki, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Rolled Roast
- Massachusetts housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Massachusetts is 28.77% more expensive than in Washington
- Moving from Washington to Massachusetts will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
- Our top recommended Washington to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Washington to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Massachusetts
- High cost of living
- Rainy weather
- Seismic activity
- Traffic congestion
- Lower property taxes
- Diverse climate
- Rich history
- Public transport options
- Harsher winters
- Higher income tax
- Urban density
- More expensive groceries
- Natural beauty
- Tech opportunities
- Outdoor activities
- Wine country
Pros of moving from Washington to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from rainy weather and moving to Massachusetts with a diverse climate
- Swap the seismic activity of Washington for the rich history in Massachusetts
- Get ready for public transport options in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Washington to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Washington to live with harsher winters in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of tech opportunities and have to settle for the con of higher income tax
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to urban density in Massachusetts
- Swap wine country for more expensive groceries
Washington vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Teriyaki | Rolled Roast |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Lobster Rolls |
Most popular vegan food | Pho | Vegan Clam Chowder |
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 Washington to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Teriyaki and sumptuous Tacos, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Rolled Roast and Lobster Rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Pho 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 Washington eateries like Canlis, Mamnoon, and The Herbfarm. 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 less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Massachusetts
Comparison | Washington | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Contemporary | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Green Space | Historic Details, Proximity to Education |
- The Craftsman and Contemporary architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference views and green space, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to education.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Washington.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Washington.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Washington.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Washington with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 28.77% more expensive than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Massachusetts
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Snowstorms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75/55 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47/37 | 37/23 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 40-80 (varies by region) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 32% more sunshine days than Washington.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 7 degrees warmer than in Washington.
- The average winter lows in Massachusetts are 14 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Massachusetts
Comparison | Washington | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.03% | 1.17% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.23% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Forestry, Aerospace | Healthcare, Education, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | Significant |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 3% more than those in Washington
- The COLI in Massachusetts will be 17% higher than what you are used to living in Washington
- Bummer... By moving from WA to MA, you'll now have a state income tax of 5%
- The affluence in Massachusetts is significant compared to moderate affluence in Washington
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate poverty in Washington
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Washington and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Washington | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Liberal/Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers with conservative rural areas | Generally liberal across the state, with notable conservative pockets |
Religion | One of the least religious states | Mixed; higher Catholic presence |
- Washington tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as mixed with a higher Catholic presence
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as one of the least religious states
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Massachusetts
Comparison | Washington | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Western Washington University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah) Medina Elementary (Medina) Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor) | John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Brackett Elementary (Arlington) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International School (Bellevue) Odle Middle School (Bellevue) Islander Middle School (Mercer Island) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Thomas Prince School (Princeton) |
Top 3 High Schools | International School (Bellevue) Newport High School (Bellevue) Bellevue High School (Bellevue) | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) Lakeside School (Seattle) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Seattle Academy (Seattle) University Child Development School (Seattle) The Bush School (Seattle) | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Commonwealth School (Boston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bellevue School District Mercer Island School District Lake Washington School District | Weston School District Lexington School District Wellesley School District |
How Much Do Washington to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 2,961 miles from Washington to Massachusetts will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,500 - $10,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,881 | 300 ft3 | $9.60 |
1 Bedroom | $4,299 | 450 ft3 | $9.55 |
2 Bedrooms | $7,128 | 750 ft3 | $9.50 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,399 | 1100 ft3 | $9.45 |
4 Bedrooms | $15,046 | 1600 ft3 | $9.40 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,837 | 1800 ft3 | $9.35 |
Top Washington to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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