Is California or Massachusetts a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Massachusetts ranks higher overall. California is #40 and Massachusetts is #12 out of 50 states. California wins 1 of 11 categories, while Massachusetts wins 10.

How does California compare to Massachusetts in cost of living?

California has a cost of living index of 113, while Massachusetts's is 108 (100 = national average). Massachusetts is more affordable.

Which state is safer, California or Massachusetts?

California has 440 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 345 in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in California vs Massachusetts?

California's median household income is $91,905, compared to $101,370 in Massachusetts.

California vs Massachusetts: Side-by-Side (2026)

California

#40·West

42.9Composite Score

VSMassachusetts leads

B+

Massachusetts

#12·Northeast

70.3Composite Score

1CA wins

10MA wins

Category Overlay

CaliforniaMassachusetts

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMA +16.6

41.3

57.9

🛡️ SafetyMA +12.7

48.0

60.7

🏥 HealthMA +28.6

69.4

98.0

🎓 EducationMA +53.1

46.9

100.0

💼 Fiscal HealthMA +2.6

47.5

50.1

📈 GrowthMA +19.7

10.1

29.8

🏠 AffordabilityMA +18.8

7.2

26.0

🌿 EnvironmentMA +29.7

24.7

54.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessCA +8.8

40.8

32.0

🚇 TransportationMA +9.7

45.7

55.4

🎭 LivabilityMA +5.7

37.5

43.2

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	California	Massachusetts	Winner
Population	38,965,193	7,001,399	CA
Median Income	$91,905	$101,370	MA
Unemployment	5.4%	4.9%	MA
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	440	345	MA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	113	108	MA
HS Graduation Rate	85%	90%	MA
Life Expectancy	79.8 yr	80.4 yr	MA
Pop Growth	+0.2%	+0.9%	MA

California vs Massachusetts: How Do They Compare?

California ranks #40 overall with a composite score of 42.9, earning a C grade. Massachusetts sits at #12 with 70.3 and a B+ grade. Massachusetts has the edge overall, winning 10 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, California has 5.4% unemployment and a $91,905 median income, while Massachusetts reports 4.9% unemployment and $101,370 median income.

For safety, California's violent crime rate is 440 per 100K compared to 345 in Massachusetts. Cost of living favors Massachusetts with an index of 108 vs 113.

Explore These States

California Full Profile42.9 Massachusetts Full Profile70.3 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022