During the eighteenth century, Colonial Massachusetts and Virginia were both royal colonies of the British Empire. The two colonies were both founded during the 1st half of the seventeenth century and both Virginia and Massachusetts practiced a form of self-governance. On the other hand, even though they have similarities, they do have some unique differences, such as their weather and economy.
Colonial Massachusetts during the eighteenth century relied on shipbuilding and shipping to drive their economy, while colonial Virginia, due to their warmer climate was relying on agriculture to drive their economy. Nevertheless, to answer the question, the factor that makes them alike was the link that they were both British colonies.