Moving to Massachusetts
About 145,000 people moved to Massachusetts from other states in 2023.
- New York sent about 16,200, Florida about 12,800, California about 12,200, New Hampshire about 11,500, Connecticut about 10,400, and Pennsylvania about 9,400.
- The car is the urgent part.
- Massachusetts gives no grace period to register a vehicle once you are a resident, and the inspection is due within 7 days of registration.
- This page covers every Massachusetts-destination route we track.
Massachusetts at a Glance
Taxes
Climate
Humid continental with cold winters and warm, humid summers.
Cost of Living
Why People Move to Massachusetts
Plan for high costs.
- The MERIC first quarter 2026 series put the cost of living index at 147.8, the second highest after Hawaii.
- Housing was 217.5.
- The Tax Foundation lists a flat 5 percent income tax, a 6.25 percent sales tax, and an effective property tax rate of 1.00 percent on owner-occupied homes.
- Taxable income over $1,083,150 for 2025 pays another 4 percent.
Electricity is expensive.
- In EIA 2024 data, the average Massachusetts home used about 570 kWh a month at about 29.3 cents per kWh.
- That is less power than the national average of about 863 kWh, but the average bill was still about $167, against about $142 nationally.
- Every registered car also gets a yearly excise bill from the town where it is garaged.
Popular Routes Moving to Massachusetts
After You Arrive in Massachusetts
Transfer your driver's license at an RMV Service Center
Make an appointment at an RMV Service Center. You can start the application online, but you cannot finish it online. A Class D conversion costs $115. If your license is active or expired less than one year, you skip the written and road tests. If it expired more than one year ago, you take the written, road, and eye tests. If you do not have your old license, bring a certified driving record not more than 30 days old.
Source: Mass RMV, Transfer your out-of-state licenseBring original documents for a REAL ID
A REAL ID needs one document that proves lawful presence and one that proves your full Social Security number. It also needs two documents that prove you live in Massachusetts. Bring originals. The RMV does not accept laminated documents.
Source: Mass RMV, Identification requirementsRegister your car as soon as you become a resident
Massachusetts gives no grace period to register a car. First buy a Massachusetts policy. The insurance agent stamps and signs your Registration and Title Application. If you owned and registered the car in another state for more than 6 months, fill out Form MVU-29 for the sales tax exemption. Take the forms and your out-of-state title to the RMV. The title fee is $75.
Source: Mass RMV, Transfer your registration and titleGet an inspection sticker within 7 days
Get a vehicle inspection within 7 days of the registration date. Most vehicles pay $35. After that, the vehicle needs an inspection every year. Vehicles less than 15 years old with onboard diagnostics also take an emissions test each year.
Source: Mass RMV, Vehicle inspectionsBuy the four compulsory insurance coverages
Your policy must include bodily injury to others of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. It must include the same limits for injury caused by an uninsured auto. Property damage must be at least $30,000. Personal injury protection covers up to $8,000. These limits apply to policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.
Source: Mass Division of Insurance, Basics of auto insuranceRegister to vote at least 10 days before an election
The deadline is 10 days before any election or town meeting. You can register online if the RMV has your signature on file. When you get your license at the RMV, you can also be registered automatically.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth, Registering to voteMassachusetts DMV & Registration
Do the car first.
- Buy a Massachusetts auto policy, and have the agent stamp and sign your Registration and Title Application.
- If you owned and registered the car in another state for more than 6 months, fill out Form MVU-29 for the sales tax exemption.
- Take the forms and your out-of-state title to an RMV Service Center.
- Get an inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date.
- For your license, make an appointment, bring your out-of-state license and identity documents, and pay the $115 Class D conversion fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my car when I move to Massachusetts?
Register it as soon as you become a resident.
- The law gives no grace period.
- First get a Massachusetts policy from a licensed insurance agent.
- The agent completes, stamps, and signs your Registration and Title Application.
- If you owned and registered the car in another state for more than 6 months, fill out Form MVU-29 for the sales tax exemption.
- Bring the forms, with your out-of-state title, to an RMV Service Center.
- If a lender holds the title, bring your current registration and proof of the lien instead.
- The title fee is $75.
Do I pay Massachusetts sales tax on a car I bring with me?
Not if you bought it while you lived in another state and it was registered there for more than 6 months.
- You claim the exemption on Form MVU-29.
- If you bought and took delivery of the car in Massachusetts and never paid the sales tax, you owe 6.25 percent of the purchase price or the NADA trade-in value, whichever is higher, plus interest and penalties.
Does Massachusetts require a vehicle inspection?
Yes.
- Get an inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date.
- After that, every registered vehicle needs an inspection each year.
- Most vehicles pay $35.
- Vehicles less than 15 years old with onboard diagnostics also take an emissions test each year.
- About 1,800 licensed stations do inspections.
How do I transfer my driver's license to Massachusetts?
Make an appointment at an RMV Service Center.
- You can start the application online, but you must finish in person.
- A Class D conversion costs $115.
- If your license is active or expired less than one year, you skip the written and road tests.
- If it expired more than one year ago, you take the written, road, and eye tests.
- A REAL ID needs one document for lawful presence, one for your full Social Security number, and two that prove you live in Massachusetts.
What car insurance do I need in Massachusetts?
Four coverages are compulsory.
- Bodily injury to others must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto has the same minimums.
- Property damage must be at least $30,000.
- Personal injury protection pays up to $8,000.
- The higher limits apply to policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.
Can I bring my guns when I move to Massachusetts?
Most guns, yes, for a limited time.
- A new resident may keep firearms and ammunition they owned before the move for 60 days after entering the state without a Massachusetts license.
- After that you need a Massachusetts license.
- Apply for a firearms identification card or a license to carry through the police department in your city or town.
- New applicants need a Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course certificate.
- Massachusetts bans assault-style firearms and large capacity magazines.
- A large capacity magazine holds more than 10 rounds or more than 5 shotgun shells.
- You may not bring them into the state, and the 60-day period does not cover them.