Population Density Comparison
Demographics

California vs Massachusetts: Population Density

Massachusetts is more densely populated than California.

California flag
California
CA • West
241.5 per sq mi
Number of residents per square mile.
Massachusetts flag
Massachusetts
MA • Northeast
Winner
666.1 per sq mi
Number of residents per square mile.

Visual Comparison

California 241.5 per sq mi
Massachusetts 666.1 per sq mi

Difference: 424.6 per sq mi — Massachusetts leads.

Related Context

Density in Context

Population density shapes commutes, housing costs, and the feel of daily life.

Metric
California
Massachusetts
Population
39,538,223
7,029,917
Land Area
163,696 sq mi
10,554 sq mi
Median Home Value
$693,700
$510,400
Violent Crime / 100k
499.5
283.3
Cost of Living Index
138.5
148.8

What This Means

California vs Massachusetts: Population Density in context

Massachusetts has a population density of 666.1 per sq mi, compared with 241.5 per sq mi in California — roughly 2.8× the California figure. Number of residents per square mile.

California
241.5 per sq mi
Massachusetts
666.1 per sq mi
Difference
424.6 per sq mi

People Also Ask

California vs Massachusetts Population Density — Common Questions

Q What is California's population density?

California's population density is 241.5 per sq mi.

Q What is Massachusetts's population density?

Massachusetts's population density is 666.1 per sq mi.

Q Which state has a higher population density — California or Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is more densely populated than California.

Q How much more population density does Massachusetts have compared to California?

424.6 per sq mi.

More Comparisons: California vs Massachusetts

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Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset, with minimum wage data from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.