New York Local Expert
Alexa Matthews
“I’m a lifelong New Yorker who never left because… well, why would anyone!? I have access to oceans, lakes, vineyards,…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From NYMoving from New York|To MAMoving to Massachusetts|New York → Massachusetts
New York to Massachusetts Move: Pros, Cons & Everything Between
Two of the most storied states in the country, New York and Massachusetts share a lot on paper, but life on the ground tells a different story. Trading the relentless pace of New York City or the sprawling Hudson Valley for the cobblestone streets of Boston or the quiet charm of the Berkshires comes with more adjustments than most people anticipate. The cost of living shifts in unexpected directions, the winters get no kinder, and the regional pride somehow gets even stronger once you cross that state line. Our Snappy Scout team (Alexa & Candice) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes worth knowing before you start loading the moving truck.
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How Far Are You Moving from NY to MA?
Average distance
250miles
Typical route
The most common driving route from New York to Massachusetts typically takes you along I-95 North or I-90 East (the Massachusetts Turnpike), with I-91 North being another popular corridor depending on your destination.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
New York City, NY → Boston, MA
~250 miles
Buffalo, NY → Springfield, MA
~350 miles
Albany, NY → Boston, MA
~200 miles
New York City, NY → Worcester, MA
~300 miles
Syracuse, NY → Springfield, MA
~250 miles
Should You Move From New York to Massachusetts Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Massachusetts from New York is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
How Much Is Relocating to MA from NY Going to Run You?
Moving 250 miles from New York to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,430.00
1 Bedroom
$2,120.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,490.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,070.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,290.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,430.00 | 300 | $4.77 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,120.00 | 450 | $4.71 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,490.00 | 750 | $4.65 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,070.00 | 1,100 | $4.61 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,290.00 | 1,600 | $4.56 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,110.00 | 1,800 | $4.51 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
That's the average.
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Will You Fit In After Moving from NY to MA?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, College Student, or Yoga Instructor, you'll thrive in your move to Massachusetts. But if you're more of a Retired Military, DIYer, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from New York to Massachusetts.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NY to MA
Surfing
New York
3
/10
Massachusetts
5
/10
New York
Giving up
Rockaway waves exist, but wetsuits and winter winds bite
Massachusetts
Gaining
Waves exist at Marconi Beach, not California quality though.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
NantucketCape Cod
New York
3
/10
Massachusetts
5
/10
University Life
New York
9
/10
Massachusetts
10
/10
New York
Giving up
Columbia core, Cornell gorges, Orange game days
Massachusetts
Gaining
Harvard, MIT, and UMass dominate campus culture.
Recommended MA cities/areas for College Students
New York
9
/10
Massachusetts
10
/10
Yoga
New York
7.5
/10
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
New York
Giving up
Sky Ting flows, Prospect Park mornings, Ithaca calm
Massachusetts
Gaining
Wellness culture strong, studios on every corner.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
CambridgeBrooklineNorthampton
New York
7.5
/10
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
Military Culture
New York
6
/10
Massachusetts
4
/10
New York
Giving up
Fort Drum access, West Point pride, Griffiss services
Massachusetts
Gaining
VA services solid, but fewer bases than elsewhere.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Retired Militaries
SpringfieldBoston
New York
6
/10
Massachusetts
4
/10
DIYers
New York
6.5
/10
Massachusetts
6
/10
New York
Giving up
Brooklyn Makerspace, Industry City workshops, Troy revival fix ups
Massachusetts
Gaining
Affordable fixers, creative warehouse spaces available.
Recommended MA cities/areas for DIYers
WorcesterLowell
New York
6.5
/10
Massachusetts
6
/10
Gardener
New York
6.5
/10
Massachusetts
6
/10
New York
Giving up
Brooklyn Botanic blooms, Buffalo Garden Walk glory
Massachusetts
Gaining
Berkshire Botanical Garden, historic town greens.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
StockbridgeConcord
New York
6.5
/10
Massachusetts
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Massachusetts?
This is a tough one, but I have to fall back to the annual voyage to the Cape. This is a pretty standard trip for folks every summer. And no matter which route you choose, you'll be sure to sit in heavy traffic. But it's the quintessential road trip. Plenty of time to enjoy your best CDs and snacks along the way.
– Candice Hallsett
Massachusetts Local
Lifestyle differences between living in New York and living in Massachusetts
New YorkMassachusetts
How the Local Food Culture Stacks Up Between NY and MA
Eating Like a Local in New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Massachusetts
We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local ExpertMassachusetts looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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The Tax Contrast Between NY and MA
New York
Massachusetts
New YorkvsMassachusetts
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
VS
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLong Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
VS
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
Who They Are, What They Believe, and How They Vote: NY vs MA
New York
Massachusetts
New YorkvsMassachusetts
People
PeopleDirect, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
VS
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Politics
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
VS
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Religion
ReligionPlurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
VS
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
Leaving NY Weather Behind: What MA Weather Actually Feels Like
SUMMER
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
Massachusetts
sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)
WINTER
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
Massachusetts
layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Massachusetts
Winter: If I had to find something positive to say about our winters, I'd say official Snow Days! Otherwise, it's pretty bleak. I guess it also looks pretty before the snow plows get dirty snow everywhere.
Spring: Winter's over! And we have GORGEOUS weather.
Summer: The fact that we have the Cape. Everyone travels there (unless they already live there) in the summer.
Fall: No brainer...the foliage. Even on your everyday commute in town, it's breathtaking to witness.
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Massachusetts
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind New York, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Massachusetts. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Massachusetts local experts.
Moving toBoston
Prep Your Wallet and Drop Your R's
