There’s a lot to think about when moving to Massachusetts from Virginia. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Massachusetts DMV to transfer your Virginia driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Massachusetts from Virginia. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Massachusetts state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Virginia driver’s license to Massachusetts upon establishing residency.
Transfer your vehicles & get Massachusetts license plates upon establishing residency.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Massachusetts and Virginia.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Massachusetts.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Massachusetts property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Massachusetts DMV to transfer your Virginia driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Virginia to Massachusetts.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Massachusetts.
Moving to Massachusetts from Virginia Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Virginia license & registration to Massachusetts.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Massachusetts here.
Cost of Moving from Virginia to Massachusetts
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Virginia to Massachusetts will cost.
The rough distance between Massachusetts and Virginia is 496 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Virginia to Massachusetts
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Massachusetts
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Massachusetts
When you move to Massachusetts, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Massachusetts, the minimum liability coverage is $20,000 bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $5,000 property damage liability per accident, $20,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person, $40,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident, $8,000 personal injury protection.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$429
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$1,262
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is lower in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay less for full coverage in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Massachusetts Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$1,199
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be lower in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay less for your home insurance policy in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Will you own or rent your home?
Massachusetts Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Massachusetts.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Massachusetts
Higher
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Massachusetts from Virginia
Transfer your Virginia Driver’s License
upon establishing residency.
After you’ve moved to Massachusetts, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Virginia Car Registration
upon establishing residency.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Massachusetts license plates.
When you become a resident of Massachusetts, you’ll need to transfer your Virginia driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Massachusetts. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Massachusetts is $20,000 bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $5,000 property damage liability per accident, $20,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person, $40,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident, $8,000 personal injury protection.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Massachusetts for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Virginia Driver’s License to Massachusetts
Minimum Age for a Massachusetts Driver’s License
18 years old
A standard Massachusetts driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 18 years old.
Massachusetts Driver’s License Expires
every 5 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 5 years.
Massachusetts Driver’s License Cost
$50.00
A driver’s license will cost around $50.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Massachusetts is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Massachusetts driver’s license upon establishing residency.
In Massachusetts, driver’s licenses are issued by the RMV.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Massachusetts Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Virginia driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Massachusetts address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Massachusetts RMV will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles.
Massachusetts Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Massachusetts Driver’s License Test
25 total questions
The Massachusetts knowledge exam will typically consist of 25 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
72%
You’ll need to score 72% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Virginia license to Massachusetts, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Massachusetts.
Before you visit the RMV, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Massachusetts. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Virginia driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Massachusetts driving test.
Is your Virginia driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Virginia driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Virginia license should be valid when you apply for a license in Massachusetts.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Virginia DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Virginia driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Virginia driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Virginia driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Massachusetts license, it’s possible that the RMV will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Virginia driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Massachusetts DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Virginia to Massachusetts
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Virginia registration to Massachusetts.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Massachusetts RMV.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles
Massachusetts Registration Fee Basis
flat rate
Massachusetts vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by flat rate.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$60+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Massachusetts Registration Expiration
every 1-2 years
In Massachusetts, you’ll need to renew your registration every 1-2 years.
Front License Plates
Massachusetts requires that vehicles display a front license plate.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
Period vehicle safety inspections are required annually in Massachusetts.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is required annually in Massachusetts.
New residents in Massachusetts are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration upon establishing residency.
When moving to Massachusetts with vehicles from Virginia, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Massachusetts registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Virginia.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Massachusetts registration.
- Have a valid Massachusetts insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Virginia DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Virginia DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Massachusetts vs Virginia
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Virginia to Massachusetts including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Massachusetts.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Massachusetts from Virginia.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Massachusetts from Virginia
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax hike when moving to Massachusetts from Virginia.
Massachusetts Income Tax (effective rates)
4.70% (single) & 4.68% (joint)
Massachusetts has a state income tax with an effective rate of 4.7% for single filers, and 4.68% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
24.07%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more in income tax in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Massachusetts: 24.07% (single), 23.47% (joint)
- Virginia: 22.20% (single), 22.15% (joint)
In Massachusetts, your tax would be . In Virginia, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Massachusetts from Virginia
- State Income Tax (single filers): 4.70% in Massachusetts vs 4.81% in Virginia
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 4.68% in Massachusetts vs 5.01% in Virginia
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 24.07% in Massachusetts vs 22.20% in Virginia
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 23.47% in Massachusetts vs 22.15% in Virginia
Sales Tax in Massachusetts vs Virginia
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Massachusetts Sales Tax
6.25%
Massachusetts has a state sales tax rate of 6.25%.
The sales tax rate is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more on sales tax in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Property Taxes in Massachusetts vs Virginia
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Massachusetts, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Massachusetts Property Tax Estimate
1.23%
The property tax rate is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for property taxes in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Home Prices in Massachusetts
$381,600
On average, the average home price is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for a house in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Massachusetts homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Massachusetts vs Virginia?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Massachusetts.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Massachusetts and Virginia to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Massachusetts is
48.40% more expensive
than the national average, compared to 3.10% more expensive for Virginia.
Massachusetts Cost of Living Index
148.4
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for many things in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Cost of Groceries
5.00% more expensive
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for groceries in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Housing Costs
119.50% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for housing costs in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Massachusetts Utilities
26.10% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for your monthly utility bills in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Transportation Costs
27.50% more expensive
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more on transportation in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Healthcare in Massachusetts
12.60% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Miscellaneous Costs
25.80% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally higher in Massachusetts. You’ll likely pay more for these things in Massachusetts than you did in Virginia.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Virginia to Massachusetts.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Massachusetts.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Virginia to Massachusetts.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Massachusetts to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Massachusetts local.