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Moving from District of Columbia to Massachusetts

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Highest education attainment in US, biotech, Boston winters.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

MA state flag
Moving to

Massachusetts

Capital: Boston

Median household income $96,505 · winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days

Highest education attainment in US, biotech, Boston winters.

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Massachusetts has an overall price level 105.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
Massachusetts
105.8
Massachusetts has 3.8% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Massachusetts
128.1
Massachusetts has 17% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.5
Massachusetts
101.4
Massachusetts has 1.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Massachusetts
100.9
Massachusetts has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
Massachusetts
30.2 ¢/kWh
Massachusetts has 21% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Massachusetts
101.2
Massachusetts has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Massachusetts
$607,400
Massachusetts is 17% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
Massachusetts
$1,479/mo
Massachusetts is 23% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
Massachusetts
82°F
Massachusetts is 6.8% less summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Massachusetts
22°F
Massachusetts is 21% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Massachusetts
48°F
Massachusetts is 16% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Massachusetts
200
Massachusetts has 1.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Massachusetts
49 in
Massachusetts is 9.4% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
47
Massachusetts
29
Massachusetts has 38% lower AQI
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Massachusetts
50 in
Massachusetts is 355% more annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaMassachusetts report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Massachusetts than District of Columbia?

Massachusetts's overall price level is roughly 109.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% income tax. Massachusetts tops out at 9%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Massachusetts?

Most Massachusetts residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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