Moving to Massachusetts

2019 Moving to Massachusetts Relocation Guide

Welcome to 2019 Ultimate Moving to Massachusetts Relocation Guide! Before this big step, find out all important information about Massachusetts.

  • Basic information about the Massachusetts population, average yearly temperature and spoken languages.
  • Read about important cultural venues, the best places to live in and learn some fun facts about the state.
  • Check out the list of Pros and Cons of living in Massachusetts before deciding to actually move.
  • Most importantly, find out all about Massachusetts moving and living costs!

    Take a look at the list of housing, transportation and childcare costs, and learn about the living cost index in Massachusetts.

  • Read all about moving costs.
  • All information regarding costs and pricing is compared with average US pricing.

  • You will also find very detailed information about the average yearly salary in Massachusetts.
  • We prepared lists of moving to Massachusetts tips.

For moving tips in general check out our Moving Checklist and Paperwork page.


Massachusetts

Welcome to the state of education, welcome to the state of history, development, big cities, and beautiful small towns. Welcome to the state of breathtaking forests, state parks, and beaches. Welcome to the state of Pilgrims, the state of Puritans, the state of the sea. Welcome to The Bay State, welcome to Massachusetts.


Massachusetts represents American history. This is the state of the first thanksgiving that started with fishing and ended up as one of the most developed US states. Massachusetts is one of the original 13 US colonies and today it is one of the most important technologies, education and health centers. The sate will provide you with art, music, idyllic landscapes and endless opportunities. You will never get bored here. Massachusetts is one of the most expensive US states but it is definitely worth it.


Moving to Massachusetts Pros & Cons


Massachusetts state is one of the best USA states. It keeps attracting new residents with constant development in all fields, amazing education opportunities, nature, job opportunities, and economic growth. The state itself will offer you numerous different lifestyle opportunities, but you need to be prepared and get to know the biggest cons of moving to Massachusetts. Go ahead and read all about the pros and cons of moving to Massachusetts, get prepared for this step, the perks of living in Massachusetts are endless:


Moving to Massachusetts Pros


1. Education

Universities in Massachusetts are ranked as top 1 on many education ranking lists and higher education in Massachusetts is considered to be one of the best in the USA or even in the world. Massachusetts is home to numerous world-famous higher education institutions including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

2. Culture and History

If you love to explore art and culture, you will enjoy living in Massachusetts. There is an endless number of historic sites, art museums and cultural venues throughout the whole country. There is also a fair amount of native history sites and venues to explore, and you will learn a lot just by traveling around the state.

3. Health Care

Massachusetts is home to numerous top-rated hospitals in the USA. Some of the highest-rated hospitals are Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

4. Nature

Nature in Massachusetts is breathtaking throughout the whole year. You will be able to enjoy diverse landscapes in all 4 seasons. Whether you are a fan of the beach or the mountain you will love it here. The state is filled with numerous important state parks and national preserves and the scenery is amazing and outdoor activity options are numerous no matter the season.

5. Economy

Massachusetts has the third-best economy in the USA, and it is the top state for innovation potential. The state's economy is booming and if you are moving to Massachusetts for career options you are making the right choice. Some of the most important industries today are high-tech industry, agriculture, fishing, and trade.

6. Outdoor Activities

Weather in Massachusetts is one of the state's biggest cons because of the harsh, cold winters. Those winters will provide you with some of the best outdoor activity opportunities. Massachusetts is filled with great skiing spots, several winter fests, and snowboarding opportunities. Some of the most popular ski areas are Blue Hills, Jiminy Peak, and Bousquet, but that is not all.

7. Boston

The big city of Boston or the “Hub of the Universe” as it is often called is one of the main reasons for moving to Massachusetts. Boston will provide you with so many different opportunities, and it is one of the best cities to explore in the USA. Job opportunities, education choices and history are just some of the reasons to fall in love with this city.

8. Family-friendly State

A booming economy, job opportunities, low crime rates, and education options are just some of the reasons why Massachusetts is the perfect state for starting and raising a family.

9. Sports

Sports are huge throughout the whole state and especially in Boston. Massachusetts is home to some of the most popular teams in the USA and whether you are a fan of ice hockey, football, baseball or basketball you will have a lot to love about Massachusetts.

10. Food

Massachusetts is famous for its amazing seafood. Massachusetts is often called, “The Bay State” and seafood options here are amazing, shellfish, oysters, and lobsters are the most popular food choices in the state and you will become addicted.

Moving to Massachusetts Cons


1. Living Costs

Living costs in Massachusetts are above national averages. Boston is the main reason and the most expensive city but the rest of the state has higher living costs too. This includes everything from housing costs to everyday living costs, transportation and education.

2. Crowd

Massachusetts is not big in terms of area, but it has a big population. It is one of the most densely populated states in the USA. You will still be able to find beautiful small towns that are not as crowded and are close to the bigger cities.

3. Weather

Winters in Massachusetts are extreme and it is one of the biggest cons. The big city of Boston or the “Hub of the Universe” as it is often called is one of the main reasons for moving to Massachusetts.

4. Traffic

traffic is bad in the state, there is a lot of congestion and you will often get stuck. Extreme winters are one of the reasons for this problem too, because of the road bumps and holes. Good thing is that public transportation is well developed, and you can avoid stressing.

5. Liquor Laws

Liquor is highly taxed, there are no happy hours, you can not buy alcohol in every store and some places will not sell you drinks if you have out of state ID.

Massachusetts Pros and Cons
Massachusetts Fun Facts

Moving to Massachusetts Tips


Moving to Massachusetts is a big, challenging step and the state offers so many different opportunities. Whether you are moving for work or for pleasure you will find our tips useful. Here are 10 TIPS about moving to Massachusetts, 10 facts that will help you prepare for this step.

  • Job Opportunities Are Great - Biggest employers in the state are universities, health care, and The Stop & Shop Supermarket. Apart from that Boston is the tech hub and you will be able to thrive in almost any field in the state of Massachusetts.
  • The Cost of Living is High - Massachusetts is an expensive state, you can still find some small towns that will provide you with reasonable living costs but the salary will not be that great in those kinds of places.
  • Unemployment Rate is Low - Massachusetts has a diverse economy and it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire country.
  • Use Public Transportation - The public transport is well developed and it will get you to your needed destination most of the time. Boston is ranked in the top 5 for the best transportation systems in the country.
  • Be Aware of The Boston Marathon - The Boston Marathon is the most important running event in the world and the city will be crowded. The marathon draws more than 30,000 participants and half a million spectators.
  • Weekend Getaways - Massachusetts will provide you with an endless selection of road trip opportunities. If the weather is nice, you should take advantage of it and explore the nature, history or art sites throughout the state.
  • Don't Hate the Winter - Winter is harsh and cold in Massachusetts but it will also provide you with some of the best snow-related activities. Explore the ski centers, enjoy snowboarding and numerous Winterfests.
  • Choose the City Wisely - Each city in the state of Massachusetts has its own character, its own pros, and cons. If you love being in the center of happenings, you should choose Boston.
  • Choose the Small Towns - You can choose to live in big cities like Boston or Cambridge but you should take a look at the small towns, they are adorable. Every town will provide you with a different vibe.
  • Embrace the Love For Sports - Sports are big deal in Massachusetts and you will have a lot of sports-related conversations and you will need to learn a lot about the most important teams if you want to fit in.

Check out our printable Stage-by-Stage MOVING CHECKLIST.

This ultimate moving checklist will help you complete your moving without stress.


Moving Checklist

Best Places to Live in Massachusetts

You know you want to live in The Bay State but you don't know which city to choose? Take a look at the list of top 6 best places to live in Massachusetts according to livability. Every city in Massachusetts has its pros and cons and you should choose wisely, there are a lot of factors that you should consider.

Boston

Boston

Newton

Newton

Worcester

Worcester

Cambridge

Cambridge

Somerville

Somerville

Northampton

Northampton


Massachusetts Moving Costs


There are certain costs associated with moving that most people tend to neglect. Even if you have opted for a self-moving job that does not involve hiring a professional moving company, you will have to pay extra for certain things. Here is a list of moving and packing costs you may have forgotten.


  • Packing Supplies

    If you plan to move on a budget and want to fo the packing yourself, you must know that you will need to invest in packing supplies like boxes, tape or bubble wrap.

  • Moving Insurance

    During the move something almost always brake. Getting moving insurance is always recommended. Most of the moving companies offer insurance and you can decide how much to get, considering how valuable your things are.

  • Moving Start-up Costs

    For renting new space start-up costs include things like your first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, a pet deposit or an application fee.

    If you are buying start-up costs are much bigger. They include closing costs for your new mortgage which is often measured in thousands of dollars. Average closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the cost of your home. These costs include things like a fee for running your credit report, a loan origination fee, attorney’s fees, the cost of a home inspection, a title search, an appraisal fee, and a survey fee, etc.

  • Boarding Your Pets

    You can expect extra costs for boarding your pets. Often enough, people tend to move their pets overnight, that way pets are not exposed to the stress.

  • Stair Fees

    Some of the moving companies will ask you to pay a stair fee.

  • Moving Large Items Fees

    It is always best to check with moving companies about extra fees and inform them about your large items, like piano or pool table, in advance. That way you will avoid surprises on a moving day.

  • Valuable Artworks or Decorative Pieces Are Often Handled by Specialised Movers

    There are professionals who are trained to handle valuable items. Packing and moving valuable items is more complex than regular moving. So you can expect to pay extra on moving those kinds of pieces.

  • Storage Space Renting

    Sometimes, you don't want to bring all of your things to your new home, but you don't want to throw them either. If you find yourself in this situation you will have to find storage space for those things. Having to store items could mean an additional monthly expense.

  • Re-buying Items Once You've Moved In

    While you shouldn't get rid of everything before a move, there are going to be some items that you're not going to want to bring to your new space.

  • Tips For Your Movers

    Your movers are doing a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, and they deserve to be compensated. Just note, that tips are always expected by your movers.


Moving to Massachusetts


Here you can find a list of shipping costs. Please note that the cost of international shipping (calculated with reallymoving) is solely the cost of shipping itself. Costs are calculated for moving entire two bedroom home, in the next three monts.


Moving From Cost
Vancouver (Canada) $4,100 - $5,700
Sydney (Australia) $4,900 - $6,700
Auckland (New Zealand) $4,900 - $6,600
Beijing (China) $5,100 - $7,000
Tokyo (Japan) $4,900 - $6,600
Dubai (United Arab Emirates) $3,800 - $6,300
Mexico City (Mexico) $3,400 - $5,700
London (United Kingdom) $3,900 - $5,400
Dublin (Ireland) $3,800 - $5,300
Singapore $4,900 - $6,600

Cultural Venues in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is filled with numerous art and culture venues, music and art festivals and it attracts art lovers from all around the world. Whether you are a fan of visual arts, performance, music or dance you will enjoy living in Massachusetts. There are a lot of important historical spots around the state that you should visit. Take a look at our list of top 6 cultural venues in Massachusetts.

Mass MoCA

Mass MoCA

Museum of Contemporary Art

  • City: North Adams
  • Adress: 1040 Mass MoCA Way, 01247
  • Admission Fee: $2 - $20
Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch History Museum

  • City: Salem
  • Adress: 19 1/2 Washington Square, 01970
  • Admission Fee: $10 - $13
Harvard Semitic Museum

Harvard Semitic Museum

Near Eastern History Museum

  • City: Cambridge
  • Adress: 6 Divinity Avenue, 02138
  • Admission Fee: Free
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery

Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery

Art Gallery

  • City: Worcester
  • Adress: 1 College Street, 01610
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $15
Pilgrim Hall Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum

Museum of Pilgrim Possesions

  • City: Plymouth
  • Adress: 75 Court Street, 02360
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $12
Worcester Art Museum

Worcester Art Museum

Art Museum

  • City: Worcester
  • Adress: 55 Salisbury Street, 01609
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $18

Massachusetts Living Costs


According to a CNBC Study (2018), Massachusetts is the third most expensive place to live in America. Mainly because of Boston where housing costs are almost 70 percent higher than the national average. Rapid development, the concentration of academic centers and high tech companies are some of the main reasons for high living costs. Good thing is that you don't have to worry about tax rates, they are almost exactly the same as the USA average ones. Moving to a new state is always challenging and you need to learn all about the costs. For more information about living costs visit numbeo or BestPlaces.


How much are utilities in Boston


  • 85m2 Apartment Monthly Utilities, Basic (Electricity, Water, Cooling, Heating, Garbage):

    $139.72

  • 1 Min. Of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans):

    $0.09

  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/adsl):

    $67.24

  • Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), for 20 Years Fixed-rate, Yearly:

    4.27

Austin VS US Average

Average Living Costs in Massachusetts

Cost of Living Massachusetts United States
Housing 176.4 100
Transportation 107.9 100
Utilities 112.9 100
Grocery 108.9 100
Health 83.7 100
Other 109 100
Housing Buy per Sq Ft Monthly Rent
Boston $941.00 $2,571.91
Worcester $659.99 $1,130.00
Springfield $137.33 $980.00
Lowell $448,032 $1,403
Cambridge $817.35 $2,463.53
New Bedford $659.99 $1,275.00
US Average $242.48 $1,294.88
Transportation One Way Ticket Monthly Pass
Boston $2.48 $90.00
Worcester $1.75 $58.50
Springfield $1.50 $30.00
Lowell $1.75 $58.50
Cambridge $2.50 $84.50
New Bedford $1.50 $40.00
US Average $2.25 $70.00
Child Care Preschool Primary School
Boston $1,709.27 $27,444.44
Worcester $1,027.78 $15,000.00
Springfield $1,000.00 $15,000.00
Lowell $1,027.78 $15,000.00
Cambridge $1,200.00 $15,000.00
New Bedford $1,500.00 $15,000.00
US Average $896.05 $16,125.51

Work and Salary


Average Yearly Salary in Massachusetts is $72,000

Currently, most popular and best-paid jobs in Massachusetts are:

  • Software Engineer - $89,000/yr
  • Mechanical Engineer - $73,000/yr
  • Project Manager - $78,000/yr
  • Operations Manager - $70,000/yr
  • Senior Software Engineer - $117,000/yr
  • Office Manager - $52,000/yr
  • Executive Assistant - $63,000/yr

All the information is provided by Glassdoor and Payscale where you can get more detailed information about the job of interest. If you don't have a specific job in mind, you can also check this list of 10 common jobs and professions in the United States with an average salary for each of them.

Job Massachusetts US Average
Cashier $12.57/h $10.57/h
Receptionist $14.98/h $13.34/h
Repair Technician $20.06/h $16.24/h
Actor $14.52/h $11.06/h
Registered Nurse $37.14/h $33.87/h
Secretary $14.89/h $13.96/h
Preschool Teacher $16.13/h $12.52/h
High School Teacher $20.38/h $19.20/h
Lawyer $63.40/h $65.62/h

Top 6 Universities in Massachusetts

In 2018, Massachusetts's overall educational system was ranked the top among all fifty U.S. states by U.S. News & World Report. Massachusetts is home to the oldest school in continuous existence in North America and the country's oldest public elementary school - The Mather School. Massachusetts is home to 121 institutions of higher education and the most important ones are the Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both located in Cambridge, ranked as the world's best universities. Take a look at the list of top 6 universities in Massachusetts, according to UniRank.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Acronuym: MIT

  • City: Cambridge
  • Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 02139-4307
  • Founded: 1861
Harvard University

Harvard University

Acronuym: HU

  • City: Cambridge
  • Address: Massachusetts Hall, 02138
  • Founded: 1636
Boston University

Boston University

Acronuym: BU

  • City: Boston
  • Address: One Silber Way, 02215
  • Founded: 1869
Tufts University

Tufts University

Acronuym: TU

  • City: Medford
  • Address: 419 Boston Avenue, 02155-5555
  • Founded: 1852
University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Acronuym: UMass Amherst

  • City: Amherst
  • Address: 181 Presidents Drive, 01003-9291
  • Founded: 1863
Northeastern University

Northeastern University

Acronuym: NU

  • City: Boston
  • Address: 360 Huntington Avenue, 02115-5000
  • Founded: 1898

Massachusetts - Important Information


State of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Seal

Officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the most populous state in the New England region. The state is named after the Massachusett tribe, which once inhabited the east side of the area, and is one of the original thirteen states. Over 80% of the population of Massachusetts lives in the Greater Boston metropolitan area. Massachusetts is a global leader in biotechnology, engineering, higher education, finance, and maritime trade.

  • State Capital:

    Boston

  • Largest City (By Population):

    Boston

  • Official State Website:

    www.mass.gov

  • Official Language:

    English

  • Spoken Languages:

    Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian, French, Vietnamese, Russian and other.

  • Dimensions:

    Length - 300 mi (174 km)

    Width - 183 mi (295 km)

Massachusetts Population:


  • According to the last census (2010): 6,547,629
  • According to the latest estimate (2018): 6,902,149
Massachusetts Demographics by Race
White 5,358,373 78.92%
Asian 426,225 6.28%
Other Race 278,835 4.11%
Black or African American 499,774 7.36%
Two or More Races 209,523 3.09%
Native American 14,336 0.21%
Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander 2,253 0.03%

Massachusetts - Average Yearly Temperature

Temperature Annual High Annual Low Average
Boston 14.8°C 6.7°C 10.75°C
Worcester 13.3°C 4.2°C 8.75°C
Springfield 13.3°C 4.2°C 8.75°C
Lowell 15.4°C 2.8°C 9.1°C
Cambridge 14.8°C 6.7°C 10.75°C
New Bedford 15.5°C 5.9°C 10.7°C

Massachusetts - Crime rates

Very low: 0 - 20, Low: 20 - 40, Moderate: 40 - 60, High: 60 - 80, Very high: 80 - 100. By numbeo.

City Crime Index Safety Index Level of crime
Boston 35.05 64.95 38.78
Worcester 46.67 53.33 53.69
Springfield 74.12 25.88 86.05
Lowell 27 73 20
Cambridge 51.61 48.39 53.57
New Bedford 79.37 20.63 96.88

Famous National Parks in Massachusetts

Nature is one of Massachusetts' most admirable features. The diversity of landscapes will provide you with endless recreational and sightseeing opportunities. From mountains, planes, beaches, and lakes to the protected areas of wildlife. You will never get enough of nature in the state because every new season means completely different scenery of the same place. Massachusetts has numerous national parks and Massachusetts’ park system is one of the largest state park systems in the country. Apart from amazing views, nature in Massachusetts will provide you with numerous outdoor activity options.

Mount Greylock State Reservation

Mount Greylock State Reservation

Mount Greylock State Reservation was the first official state park of Massachusetts, it is home to the state's highest point. Mount Greylock is famous for camping, hiking, biking, and skiing, and it will provide you with some of the most scenic views too.

  • Nearest city: New Ashford
  • Nearest big city: Pittsfield
  • Visitors per year: -
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on the Martha's Vineyard Island Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature lovers paradise. Felix Neck is one of the best birdwatching spots in the state where you can enjoy hiking through the woods and meadows and exploring the shoreline.

  • Nearest city: Edgartown
  • Nearest big city: New Bedford
  • Visitors per year: -
Bash Bish State Park

Bash Bish State Park

Bash Bish State Park consists of numerous gorges and an eastern hemlock ravine forest. Bash Bish Falls, Massachusetts' highest single-drop waterfall is the park's most important feature. The park is popular fishing, hiking, and wildlife explaining spots.

  • Nearest city: Mount Washington
  • Nearest big city: Pittsfield
  • Visitors per year: -
Mohawk Trail State Forest

Mohawk Trail State Forest

Mohawk Trail State Forest covers more than 7,700 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and old-growth forests and it is home to many of the state's tallest trees. The forest is a popular hiking and skiing destination, and it is crossed by two rivers and several streams.

  • Nearest city: Charlemont
  • Nearest big city: Northampton
  • Visitors per year: -
Mount Holyoke Range State Park

Mount Holyoke Range State Park

The Mount Holyoke Range is famous for breathtaking streams, woods, and wetlands, and its most important feature is a 7-mile long mountain ridge line. You can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding and numerous other activities.

  • Nearest city: Amherst
  • Nearest big city: Springfield
  • Visitors per year: 36,420 (in 2012)
Nickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park is one of the most popular camping spots in the state, filled with diverse landscapes and over 400 campsites. The park's most important features are kettle ponds including Cliff Pond and Fax Pond as the biggest ones.

  • Nearest city: Brewster
  • Nearest big city: Boston
  • Visitors per year: -