Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to MA
There are many factors that influence
Pennsylvania moving costs.
The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
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Time of year: The peak moving season
in Pennsylvania is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
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DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from PA to MA
If you’re moving to Massachusetts from Pennsylvania, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. Massachusetts
|
Pennsylvania |
Massachusetts |
| Average rent cost |
$1,110 |
$1,588 |
| Average home cost |
$268,824 |
$623,131 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$73,170 |
$96,505 |
| Cost of Living Index |
99 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.4% |
3.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.34% |
6.25% |
| State Income Tax |
3.07% |
9.0% |
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Rent is about 43% more expensive in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania.
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Home prices are about 132% higher in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania.
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The average income is about 32% higher in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania.
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Cost of living is 1% lower in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania.
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Massachusetts has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 15%.
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Sales taxes are 1% lower in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania.
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Income taxes are 193% higher in Massachusetts than in Pennsylvania.
How life is different in Massachusetts vs. Pennsylvania
|
Massachusetts |
Pennsylvania |
| Population |
7,001,399 |
12,961,683 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 61.5-36.3 |
Republican 51-49 |
| Summer high |
82ºF |
83ºF |
| Winter low |
16ºF |
19ºF |
| Annual rain |
49" |
44" |
| Annual snow |
47" |
38" |
| Crime index |
13.92 |
17.62 |
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The population of Massachusetts is approximately 46% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
-
In the last presidential election, Massachusetts voted Democratic and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
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The average high in the summertime in Massachusetts is 82ºF
and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Massachusetts reaches the temperature of 16ºF
and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
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You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Massachusetts versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
-
In Massachusetts, it snows about 47 inches annually
versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
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Massachusetts has a lower crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index
of 13.92 vs. 17.62.
Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Massachusetts
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Massachusetts compared to Pennsylvania.
| Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
Pros of living in Massachusetts |
| Low cost of living |
Natural beauty |
| Abundant fun and recreational activities |
Excellent education system |
| Beautiful landscapes |
Delicious seafood |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Excellent education options |
Home to Boston |
Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Massachusetts
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Massachusetts.
| Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
Cons of living in Massachusetts |
| Harsh winter weather |
Bad traffic |
| Bad driving conditions |
Poor driving conditions |
| Nuclear power plants |
Harsh winter weather |
| Unpredictable weather |
High cost of living |
| High taxes on gasoline |
Peculiar liquor laws |
Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania to Massachusetts move
- Weather: Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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Elevator reservation:
One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator
and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
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Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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State licensing:
Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in
Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Massachusetts moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Massachusetts does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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Change of address:
We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Massachusetts.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
In Alabama and Massachusetts, Released Value Protection is a no-cost option provided by movers but offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. If you seek full value coverage for your items, consider consulting with your moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Massachusetts
While you’re in Massachusetts, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Freedom Trail
- 2: Faneuil Hall Marketplace
- 3: Norman Rockwell Museum
- 4: Cape Cod Beaches
- 5: Fenway Park
- 6: Nantucket
- 7: Tanglewood Concerts
- 8: Plimoth Patuxet Museums
- 9: Old Sturbridge Village
- 10: Salem Witch Museum
- 11: Museum of Fine Arts
- 12: Peabody Essex Museum
- 13: The House of the Seven Gables
- 14: New Bedford Whaling Museum
- 15: New England Aquarium
- 16: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- 17: Massachusetts State House
- 18: Harvard Square
- 19: Bunker Hill Monument
- 20: Adams National Historical Park
- 21: Minute Man National Historical Park
- 22: Martha’s Vineyard
- 23: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- 24: Hammond Castle Museum
- 25: Mount Greylock
- 26: Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
- 27: The Mapparium
- 28: Danvers State Hospital
- 29: Bash Bish Falls
- 30: Singing Beach
Helpful moving resources
Pennsylvania moving services
Popular Pennsylvania routes
Best overall value
