Is Massachusetts or New York a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Massachusetts ranks higher overall. Massachusetts is #12 and New York is #26 out of 50 states. Massachusetts wins 7 of 11 categories, while New York wins 4.

How does Massachusetts compare to New York in cost of living?

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

Which state is safer, Massachusetts or New York?

Massachusetts has 345 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 364 in New York. Massachusetts has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Massachusetts vs New York?

Massachusetts's median household income is $101,370, compared to $81,386 in New York.

Massachusetts vs New York: Side-by-Side (2026)

B+

Massachusetts

#12·Northeast

70.3Composite Score

VSMassachusetts leads

New York

#26·Northeast

56.8Composite Score

7MA wins

4NY wins

Category Overlay

MassachusettsNew York

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMA +14.2

57.9

43.7

🛡️ SafetyMA +2.6

60.7

58.1

🏥 HealthMA +24.5

98.0

73.5

🎓 EducationMA +40.8

100.0

59.2

💼 Fiscal HealthMA +5.6

50.1

44.5

📈 GrowthMA +9.9

29.8

19.9

🏠 AffordabilityNY +9.4

26.0

35.4

🌿 EnvironmentNY +4.0

54.4

58.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessMA +1.8

32.0

30.2

🚇 TransportationNY +2.9

55.4

58.3

🎭 LivabilityNY +11.9

43.2

55.1

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Massachusetts	New York	Winner
Population	7,001,399	19,571,216	NY
Median Income	$101,370	$81,386	MA
Unemployment	4.9%	4.5%	NY
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	345	364	MA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	108	108	Tie
HS Graduation Rate	90%	85%	MA
Life Expectancy	80.4 yr	79.1 yr	MA
Pop Growth	+0.9%	+0.4%	MA

Massachusetts vs New York: How Do They Compare?

Massachusetts ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 70.3, earning a B+ grade. New York sits at #26 with 56.8 and a B grade. Massachusetts has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Massachusetts has 4.9% unemployment and a $101,370 median income, while New York reports 4.5% unemployment and $81,386 median income.

For safety, Massachusetts's violent crime rate is 345 per 100K compared to 364 in New York. Cost of living favors New York with an index of 108 vs 108.

Explore These States

Massachusetts Full Profile70.3 New York Full Profile56.8 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