Americans love Massachusetts! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to having pleasant weather, the Bay State has got it all.
The median home value for Massachusetts is $576,000. The state scores 75/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Boston and Worcester are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Let’s explore the best places to live in Massachusetts.
3 Reasons to Live in Massachusetts 🎓
- Growing Job Market Massachusetts plans to add 738,879 job openings between 2020 and 2030 across sectors like heathcare, IT, financial services, etc.
- Top-Notch Education: This state is home to institutions like Harvard University, MIT, Emerson College. The state has one of the best educational environments in the country.
- Outdoor Recreation: Massachusetts boasts of both the mountains and the seas due to which it remains naturally pleasant throughout the year. This allows residents can enjoy activities like hiking, trekking, boating, etc.
Best Places to Live in Massachusetts in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cambridge | 117,962 | $1,075,000 | $12,725 | 3.1% | 76/100 |
| 2. | Worcester | 204,191 | $400,000 | $10,325 | 3.6% | 61/100 |
| 3. | Quincy | 100,981 | $647,500 | $12,725 | 3.3% | 81/100 |
| 4. | Springfield | 155,305 | $278,500 | $9,206 | 3.9% | 58/100 |
| 5. | Boston | 665,945 | $830,000 | $12,725 | 3.1% | 76/100 |
| 6. | Salem | 44,541 | $517,500 | $10,995 | 2.9% | 67/100 |
| 7. | Somerville | 80,464 | $855,000 | $13,085 | 2.3% | 81/100 |
1. Cambridge
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.9% |
| Median Income | $121,539 |
| Monthly Expenses | $12,725 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 76/100 |
Home to the mighty Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge is a world leader in education. The median home price is a bit steeper at $1,075,000 and the cost of living is 13.5% higher than the state average.
Cambridge is one of the best cities to live in Massachusetts for young adults. The city has a robust job market in sectors like biomedical product manufacturing, software, etc. Some of the major employers are Biogen and Pegasystems.
In addition, you can find a lot of green spaces like Danehy Park and Riverbend Park, throughout the city along with a variety of restaurants offering coastal cuisine with international flavors.
» Homes for Sale in Cambridge, MA: View thousands of properties in the City of Squares.
2. Worcester
| Home Value | ⬆️ 10.1% |
| Median Income | $63,011 |
| Monthly Expenses | $10,325 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 61/100 |
Known as the Heart of the Commonwealth, Worcester reflects historical architecture from the 19th century such as City Hall and Union Station. The median home price is the same as the national average. and the cost of living is 12.5% lower than the state average.
The second-largest metro area in Massachusetts boasts a strong college scene with more than seven top-notch schools. It is easily the best city to live in Massachusetts for students.
The primary sectors of employment include life sciences, manufacturing, biotechnology, etc. Some of the top employers in the city are UMass Memorial Health and The Hanover Insurance Group.
» Homes for Sale in Worcester, MA: Find your home in this college town.
3. Quincy
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.8% |
| Median Income | $90,668 |
| Monthly Expenses | $12,725 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 81/100 |
Being the birthplace of two former US presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, Quincy is known as the City of Presidents and reflects a historical yet modern vibe. The cost of living is 12.5% more than the state average.
Quincy is big on art, culture, and food. There are a variety of restaurants on the coastline and the Marine Bay which the residents love to visit. Moreover, with 52 parks, the city offers ample green spaces like the Adams National Historical Park.
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4. Springfield
| Home Value | ⬆️ 8.3% |
| Median Income | $45,405 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,206 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 58/100 |
Considered the birthplace of basketball, Springfield reflects a rich sporting culture. The City of Firsts is among the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts. The median home price is 30% lower than the national average and the cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average.
The major employers in the city include Mass Mutual, Baystate Health, and Theodore’s Inc. across sectors like healthcare and financial products.
» Homes for Sale in Springfield, MA: View thousands of listings in the City of Firsts.
5. Boston
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.6% |
| Median Income | $89,212 |
| Monthly Expenses | $12,725 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 76/100 |
Boston needs no introduction. The city has it all, from the best colleges like Boston University and Berkeley College of Music to the professional baseball scene. The median home price is more than double that of the national average. The cost of living is 18.3% higher than the state average.
The Hub offers a great climate for business and is home to various Fortune 500 companies like State Street and American Tower. Scientific technical, finance, insurance, etc. are the major contributing sectors to the city’s economy.
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6. Salem
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.1% |
| Median Income | $79,196 |
| Monthly Expenses | $10,995 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 67/100 |
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Salem is one of the best areas of Massachusetts. The median home price is 25% above the national average and the cost of living is 3.1% higher than the state average.
The city boasts a rich maritime history with three lighthouses. In addition, Salem’s federal-style homes reflect its architectural history. Apart from this, finance and healthcare are the major employment sectors in the city with employers like Northshore Medical Center and Salem Five.
» Homes for Sale in Salem, MA: View thousands of properties in the Witch City.
7. Somerville
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.3% |
| Median Income | $120,778 |
| Monthly Expenses | $13,085 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 81/100 |
Somerville is the best place to live in Massachusetts for families as it offers a pleasant lifestyle. Moreover, you get easy access to major cities like Cambridge and Boston. The median home price is $855K and the cost of living is 13.5% higher than the state average.
Located on the northeastern coast, the weather in Somerville can get quite cold. Apart from this, the city has a growing economy. Nizhoni Health and Smartbear Software are the major employers across sectors like healthcare and tech.
» Homes for Sale in Somerville, MA: Find a home in the Brooklyn of Boston.
Bottom Line
Massachusetts is one of the best places to live in the US due to its robust employment market and top-notch educational environment. Apart from being the 3rd greenest state in the US, Massachusetts boasts a rich cultural history.
The cost of living in Massachusetts can be a bit heavy on the pocket, being 27.5% higher than the national average. Home prices are inconsistent throughout the state, with $578K being the median.
Massachusetts can be your top choice if you’re looking to live luxuriously.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Massachusetts’ most accurate home value estimator.
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Research Methodology
We considered different metrics to list the best places in Massachusetts. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Massachusetts and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Massachusetts Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most affordable places in Massachusetts to live?
North Adams, Springfield, Pittsfield, etc. are some of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts.
What city in Massachusetts is best to raise a family?
Somerville offers quality healthcare, education, and pleasant weather which makes it the right choice to raise a family.
Do any billionaires live in Massachusetts?
Yes, Boston houses seven billionaires from the list of 400 richest people in the US including Fidelity CEO, Abigail Johnson and Patriots CEO, Robert Kraft.
