Moving to Massachusetts? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Massachusetts, the sixth-smallest state by land area, is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. It is known for its rich history and political progressivism, with Boston being considered the ‘LGBT hub’ of the States.

If you are considering moving to Massachusetts, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Massachusetts Facts:

Population: 6.985 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $75,258 (2019)
Random Fact: Basketball was first created in Massachusetts in 1891, and later volleyball was created in 1895.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Massachusetts

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$2800
Florida	$2500
New York	$2000
Texas	$2700
Illinois	$2400
Ohio	$2200
Georgia	$2300
North Carolina	$2100
Michigan	$2200
New Jersey	$2100

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to Massachusetts. These costs are approximate and can vary based on several factors, including the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

You can also find the Best International Moving Companies in Massachusetts here.

2. Massachusetts Housing Costs

The cost of renting or purchasing a home in Massachusetts varies widely depending on the location. For example, in downtown Boston, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment can range from $2,500 to $3,500 per month, while in the suburbs, the average rent for a similar apartment may be around $1,500 to $2,000 per month.

Monthly Rental Prices in Massachusetts:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $2,760+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,000+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $5,280+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $3,390+

Massachusetts Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $11,140+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $6,000+

Massachusetts Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Massachusetts compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 8.7% cheaper
New York is 24.4% more expensive
Los Angeles is 6% cheaper
Toronto is 53.1% cheaper
Sydney is 27.5% cheaper
Paris is 82.9% cheaper
Dubai is 51.7% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: SpareRoom, iRoommates
Different Areas – Different Prices: In general, prices are higher in urban areas such as downtown Boston, Cambridge, or Brookline, and lower in the suburbs and rural areas. For instance, in downtown Boston, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment can range from $2,500 to $3,500 per month – on the other hand, in the suburbs, the average rent for a similar apartment may be around $1,500 to $2,000 per month. The price difference between uptown and downtown in Massachusetts reflects the tradeoff between proximity to amenities and services versus space and affordability.

3. Massachusetts Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Massachusetts has a diverse food and drink scene with a focus on farm-to-table, sustainable, and locally-sourced ingredients. Seafood is a popular staple, with famous dishes such as clam chowder, lobster rolls, and fried clams that are must-tries for visitors.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $21.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.00
Bottle of Coke: $2.30
1L of Milk: $1.10
Loaf of Bread: $4.20
12 Eggs: $5.25
1kg Chicken: $14.00
1kg Beef: $16.60
1kg Apples: $5.00
1kg White Rice: $5.20

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 1.3% cheaper and groceries are 47.6% cheaper than Massachusetts.
New York restaurants are 2.7% more expensive and groceries are 12% more expensive than Massachusetts.
Los Angeles restaurants are 1.7% cheaper and groceries are 9.9% cheaper than Massachusetts.
Toronto restaurants are 30.9% cheaper and groceries are 27.8% cheaper than Massachusetts.
Sydney restaurants are 24.9% cheaper and groceries are 12.6% cheaper than Massachusetts.
Paris restaurants are 36.8% cheaper and groceries are 15.7% cheaper than Massachusetts.
Dubai restaurants are 39.3% cheaper and groceries are 78.3% cheaper than Massachusetts.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries

Know Your Supermarkets: Farmers’ markets are popular in Massachusetts, particularly in the summer and fall months, and offer a wide range of fresh and locally-sourced produce, baked goods, and artisanal products. In terms of supermarkets, there is a range of options from affordable chains like Market Basket and Aldi to more upscale stores like Whole Foods and Wegmans, with prices varying depending on location and product selection.

Find Cheap Eats: Massachusetts has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor, Time Out

4. Massachusetts Alcohol Costs

Massachusetts, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $8.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $9.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.10
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.20
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $16.50

How To Drink For Less in Massachusetts:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.

5. Massachusetts Transportation Fares

Public transportation in Massachusetts is primarily provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), also known as the “T,” which operates subway, bus, and commuter rail systems in the Greater Boston area. While the system has experienced some challenges in recent years, it remains a convenient and affordable way to get around the city and its surrounding suburbs.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $2.40
One-day ticket – $3.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $90.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Massachusetts

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Massachusetts varies depending on the region but ranges from around 8°C to 14°C. The coldest month is typically January with average temperatures ranging from -1°C to 3°C, while the hottest month is typically July with average temperatures ranging from 21°C to 25°C. The wettest month also varies by region, but is generally in the late spring or early summer, with May being the wettest month in Boston and other coastal areas.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $55.00
Summer Dress: $40.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $86.00
Business Shoes: $115.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $4.50
Shampoo: $3.50
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
Gym Membership: $82.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $15.00

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Massachusetts

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Massachusetts. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Massachusetts from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Massachusetts:

Volkswagen Golf: $25,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.98

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Massachusetts:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Massachusetts

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax rate in Massachusetts is currently 6.25%. However, some cities and towns may add a local option tax of up to 0.75%, bringing the total sales tax rate to 7%. There are also some exemptions from the sales tax, such as groceries, prescription drugs, and certain clothing items. Additionally, Massachusetts imposes a 6.25% use tax on items purchased out-of-state but used or consumed in Massachusetts.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Massachusetts at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Massachusetts you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Massachusetts

If you do make the move to Massachusetts, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $480
New York: $70
Los Angeles: $160
Toronto: $140
Vancouver: $190
Dubai: $330
Sydney: $890
Melbourne: $190
Cape Town: $710
Hong Kong: $980

Other Tips on Moving to Massachusetts

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Massachusetts but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Massachusetts Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Massachusetts.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Massachusetts always has something going on. Have a look at Visit Massachusetts and VisitMA.

12. Moving to Massachusetts with a Family

Massachusetts can be a family-friendly location, with plenty of parks, museums, and outdoor activities for children and parents to enjoy. However, like any location, there are certain areas or neighbourhoods that may be more or less family-friendly.

In terms of crime rate, Massachusetts has a lower violent crime rate compared to the national average, with a rate of 367 incidents per 100,000 people in 2020. Property crime rates are also lower than the national average, with a rate of 1,863 incidents per 100,000 people in 2020.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at UMass Memorial Health.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Some cities and towns that are often considered family-friendly in Massachusetts include Cambridge, known for its highly-ranked public schools, parks, cultural attractions, and diverse community, as well as Newton, a suburb of Boston with highly-rated schools, safe neighbourhoods, and easy access to public transportation.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Massachusetts. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor, VisitMA.

13. Moving to Massachusetts for Work

While it is possible to move to Massachusetts without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in Massachusetts include healthcare and social assistance, education, professional and business services, and manufacturing, with a strong focus on innovation and technology. As of April 2022, the unemployment rate in Massachusetts was 3.4%, which is slightly lower than the national average.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Massachusetts, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Massachusetts from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Massachusetts, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: The area of Massachusetts is approximately 20,300 square kilometres, which is similar to Darwin, the smallest and northernmost of Australia’s capital cities
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in Massachusetts that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Massachusetts from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Massachusetts. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 in the province of Alberta, Canada, has a land area of approximately 19,841 square kilometres, which is comparable in size to Massachusetts
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Massachusetts from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Massachusetts. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: You could fit Lincolnshire into the state of Massachusetts four times
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Massachusetts, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Massachusetts you can start by comparing moving quotes here.