Factors affecting the cost of moving from TN to MAtoggle

There are many factors that influence Tennessee moving costs. The cost to move from Tennessee to Massachusetts will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Tennessee is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • 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 TN to MA

If you’re moving to Massachusetts from Tennessee, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Tennessee vs. Massachusetts

Tennessee Massachusetts
Average rent cost $1,047 $1,588
Average home cost $319,208 $623,131
Average income (per capita) $64,035 $96,505
Cost of Living Index 0 100
Unemployment rate 3.3% 3.9%
Average Sales Tax 9.55% 6.25%
State Income Tax 0.0% 9.0%
  • Rent is about 52% more expensive in Massachusetts than in Tennessee.
  • Home prices are about 95% higher in Massachusetts than in Tennessee.
  • The average income is about 51% higher in Massachusetts than in Tennessee.
  • Cost of living is inf% lower in Massachusetts than in Tennessee.
  • Massachusetts has a higher unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 18%.
  • Sales taxes are 35% lower in Massachusetts than in Tennessee.
  • Income taxes are 9% higher in Massachusetts than in Tennessee.

How life is different in Massachusetts vs. Tennessee

Massachusetts Tennessee
Population 7,001,399 7,126,489
Political leaning Democratic 61.5-36.3 Republican 64-36
Summer high 82ºF 88ºF
Winter low 16ºF 27ºF
Annual rain 49" 53"
Annual snow 47" 5"
Crime index 13.92 29.24
  • The population of Massachusetts is approximately 2% lower than the population of Tennessee.
  • In the last presidential election, Massachusetts voted Democratic and Tennessee voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Massachusetts is 82ºF and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Massachusetts reaches the temperature of 16ºF and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
  • You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Massachusetts versus 53 inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
  • In Massachusetts, it snows about 47 inches annually versus 5 inches of snow in Tennessee.
  • Massachusetts has a lower crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index of 13.92 vs. 29.24.

Comparing the pros of Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

Pros of living in Tennessee Pros of living in Massachusetts
Abundant recreational opportunities Natural beauty
No income taxes Excellent education system
Legendary music scene Delicious seafood
Natural beauty and parks galore Bountiful recreational opportunities
Delicious southern comfort food Home to Boston

Comparing the cons of living in Tennessee 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 Tennessee for Massachusetts.

Cons of living in Tennessee Cons of living in Massachusetts
Tendency for severe weather Bad traffic
Oppressive summer heat and humidity Poor driving conditions
Abundant presence of nuclear power plants Harsh winter weather
Traffic congestion High cost of living
High urban crime rates Peculiar liquor laws

Other things to consider for your Tennessee to Massachusetts movetoggle

  • 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.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • 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.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Massachusetts does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Massachusettstoggle

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

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Tennessee to Massachusetts?toggle

Hiring a full-service Tennessee moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Tennessee to Massachusetts?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Tennessee to Massachusetts separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Tennessee to Massachusetts?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Tennessee to Massachusetts are the amazing upsides of living in Massachusetts such as natural beauty and excellent education system.

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Massachusetts?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in Massachusetts. Housing is much more affordable in Tennessee, with average rent about 34% less and home prices 49% lower than in Massachusetts. Tennessee has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Massachusetts?toggle

You should make approximately $78,378 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Massachusetts. The cost of living in Massachusetts is approximately $4,255 per month for an individual and $9,816 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Massachusetts you live For example, larger cities like Boston and Worcester will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources