Moving guide · statewide data
Cost of living, quality of life, pros and cons—shown against the full U.S. dataset.
Massachusetts offers a mixed but competitive living profile—the right fit depends on which costs and services matter most to you.
Is Massachusetts a good place to live?
Its cost-of-living index is 148.8, compared with a national benchmark of 100. In the current dataset, Massachusetts's strongest relative area is livability score; its biggest statewide trade-off is income needed to live alone. Use these numbers as a screening tool, then compare the city, county, and neighborhood you are considering.
Relocation questions
Three practical readings of the same statewide data—fit, household costs, and the first local checks to make.
Moving to Massachusetts means comparing a typical statewide home value of $510,400 with median household income of $96,505. Within the Northeast, the state stands out most for livability score, while income needed to live alone is the first issue to investigate for the county and city on your shortlist. Before signing a lease or buying, compare commute patterns, insurance, taxes, schools, and neighborhood-level safety—not only the statewide average.
The Massachusetts cost-of-living index is 148.8, which is above the national benchmark of 100. Median gross rent is $1,678/mo, and the typical statewide home value is $510,400. Compare those costs with median household income of $96,505.
Massachusetts may fit people who value livability score and uninsured rate and prefer a four-season climate. It may be a weaker fit when the statewide trade-offs listed below conflict with a household's budget, work, health, or education priorities.
At a glance
Each marker shows the raw value from the minimum to maximum in our database. Rank follows whether higher or lower is better.
Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.
Median household income in U.S. dollars.
Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.
Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).
Composite healthcare score combining outcomes, cost, and access.
Public school system ranking, 1 = best.
Decision support
These are data-based strengths and trade-offs, not a substitute for checking the city or county where you plan to live.
Detailed data
Open only the category you need. Sources link to the underlying publisher where available.
| Metric | Massachusetts | U.S. rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median IncomeMedian household income in U.S. dollars. | $96,505 | #3 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Income Needed to Live AloneEstimated annual income a single adult needs to cover basic living costs in 2025. | $120,141/yr | #49 of 50 | USA Symbol — Single Person Living Wage by State 2025 |
| Unemployment RateSeasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025). | 4.8% | #43 of 50 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics December 2025 |
| Job GrowthChange in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS). | 0.0% | #34 of 50 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — State and Metro Area Employment December 2024 to December 2025 |
| Poverty RateShare of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023). | 10.4% | #14 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Purchasing Power of $100Real local value of $100 after adjusting for BEA Regional Price Parities. | $95.55 | #46 of 50 | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities Latest incorporated BEA release |
| Metric | Massachusetts | U.S. rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of LivingComposite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable. | 148.8 | #49 of 50 | Missouri Economic Research and Information Center — Cost of Living Index 2026 incorporated quarterly release |
| Median Housing ValueMedian residential home value in U.S. dollars. | $510,400 | #47 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Median Gross RentMedian gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars. | $1,678/mo | #47 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Homeownership RateShare of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied. | 62.8% | #44 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Total Tax BurdenTotal state and local tax burden (property, income, and sales and excise taxes) as a percentage of personal income (WalletHub 2026). | 8.82% | #29 of 50 | WalletHub — State tax comparisons 2026 comparison |
| State Income TaxTop marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax. | 5.00% | #26 of 50 | Tax Foundation — State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets 2026 comparison |
| Property TaxEffective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data). | 1.07% | #34 of 50 | WalletHub — State tax comparisons Published February 17, 2026; underlying 2024 data |
| Gas PriceAverage regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily). | $3.933/gal | #28 of 50 | AAA — State Gas Price Averages Snapshot stored in the comparison dataset |
| Metric | Massachusetts | U.S. rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livability ScoreBest States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025). | 60.23 | #1 of 50 | WalletHub — Best States to Live In 2025 comparison |
| Commute TimeAverage commute time in minutes. | 30.4 min | #47 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Average TemperatureAverage annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. | 47.9°F | #35 of 50 | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 climate normals |
| Sunny DaysAverage number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year. | 98 days | #28 of 50 | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 climate normals |
| Annual PrecipitationAverage annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches. | 47.7 in | #37 of 50 | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 climate normals |
| Water Quality ScoreState tap-water score on a 100-point scale from the existing water-quality ranking. | 87.3/100 (A) | #12 of 50 | USA Symbol — Water Quality by State 2026 ranking |
| Road Quality RankState road-quality ranking from the existing infrastructure table (1 = best). | #39 | #39 of 50 | USA Symbol — Road Quality by State Latest incorporated ranking |
| Metric | Massachusetts | U.S. rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime RateViolent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022). | 283.3 per 100k | #18 of 50 | FBI — Crime Data Explorer 2022 UCR data |
| Property Crime RateProperty crime incidents per 100,000 residents. | 1086.4 per 100k | #3 of 50 | FBI — Crime Data Explorer Latest incorporated UCR data |
| Life ExpectancyLife expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021). | 80.0 yrs | #5 of 50 | CDC National Center for Health Statistics — State Life Expectancy 2021 |
| Healthcare Quality ScoreComposite healthcare score combining outcomes, cost, and access. | 79.9 | #3 of 50 | USA Symbol composite model Inputs shown on this comparison page |
| Uninsured RateShare of residents without health insurance coverage. | 2.6% | #1 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Drug Overdose Death RateDrug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in the incorporated CDC dataset. | 21.8 per 100,000 | #25 of 50 | USA Symbol — Drug Overdose Death Rate by State Latest incorporated CDC release |
| Metric | Massachusetts | U.S. rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public School RankingPublic school system ranking, 1 = best. | #3 | #3 of 50 | World Population Review — Public School Rankings by State 2025 edition |
| High School Graduation Rate4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate for public high schools (NCES). | 89.0% | #18 of 50 | National Center for Education Statistics Latest incorporated NCES release |
| Bachelor's DegreeAdults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023). | 47.8% | #1 of 50 | U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey ACS 2023 estimates |
| Student-Teacher RatioAverage number of pupils per teacher in public K-12 schools (NCES). | 13.1:1 | #12 of 50 | National Center for Education Statistics Latest incorporated NCES release |
| School SpendingPer-pupil K-12 education spending (World Population Review 2025). | $22,947 | #7 of 50 | World Population Review — Per Pupil Spending by State 2025 |
| Teacher SalaryAverage public school teacher salary, 2024-25 (NEA). | $93,554 | #4 of 50 | National Education Association — Rankings and Estimates 2024–25 |
Local differences inside the state
Top data rows among 14 county equivalents. Open County Match to set your own priorities.
Nature & places
Location-verified scenery from the state, stored locally with photographer and source attribution.
Common relocation questions
Direct answers based on the same sourced metrics used in the tables above.
Massachusetts offers a mixed but competitive living profile—the right fit depends on which costs and services matter most to you. Its cost-of-living index is 148.8, compared with a national benchmark of 100. In the current dataset, Massachusetts's strongest relative area is livability score; its biggest statewide trade-off is income needed to live alone. Use these numbers as a screening tool, then compare the city, county, and neighborhood you are considering.
The Massachusetts cost-of-living index is 148.8, which is above the national benchmark of 100. Median gross rent is $1,678/mo, and the typical statewide home value is $510,400. Compare those costs with median household income of $96,505.
Moving to Massachusetts means comparing a typical statewide home value of $510,400 with median household income of $96,505. Within the Northeast, the state stands out most for livability score, while income needed to live alone is the first issue to investigate for the county and city on your shortlist. Before signing a lease or buying, compare commute patterns, insurance, taxes, schools, and neighborhood-level safety—not only the statewide average.
The statewide violent crime measure is 283.3 per 100k, ranking #18 of 50 states with available data. Crime can differ substantially by county, city, and neighborhood, so use this as a first comparison rather than a local safety forecast.
The climate measure used here is 47.9°F as a long-term statewide annual average. Statewide averages smooth out elevation, coastal, urban, and north–south differences.
Data notes
Source inventory reviewed July 23, 2026. Each metric keeps its own publication period because the underlying datasets update on different schedules.
Every value represents the whole state. City, county, neighborhood, household, and demographic conditions can differ from the statewide figure.
The bar runs from the minimum to maximum available value in the 50-state database. Rank direction follows the metric: for example, lower costs and lower crime rank better.
Pros and trade-offs use relative metric standings. The page does not claim one universal “best” state; State Match lets the user choose the weights.
AAA — State Gas Price Averages
Snapshot stored in the comparison datasetMissouri Economic Research and Information Center — Cost of Living Index
2026 incorporated quarterly releaseNational Center for Education Statistics
Latest incorporated NCES releaseNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — U.S. Climate Normals
1991–2020 climate normalsTax Foundation — State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets
2026 comparisonU.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities
Latest incorporated BEA releaseU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — State and Metro Area Employment
December 2024 to December 2025U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey
ACS 2023 estimatesUSA Symbol — Drug Overdose Death Rate by State
Latest incorporated CDC releaseUSA Symbol — Road Quality by State
Latest incorporated rankingUSA Symbol — Water Quality by State
2026 rankingWalletHub — Best States to Live In
2025 comparisonWalletHub — State tax comparisons
2026 comparisonWalletHub — State tax comparisons
Published February 17, 2026; underlying 2024 dataKeep exploring
Browse all living guides, weight the metrics in State Match, compare two states, open statewide rankings, or switch to Massachusetts’s symbols and identity guide.
Statewide figures can hide major local differences. Rankings use available states in each metric, so the denominator may vary. Source inventory reviewed July 23, 2026; individual data periods are shown beside each source.
