B+
Massachusetts
#12·Northeast
70.3Composite ScoreVSMassachusetts leads
B
Washington
#22·West
63.2Composite Score5MA wins
6WA wins
Category Overlay
MassachusettsWashington
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMA +11.0
MA
57.9
WA
46.9
🛡️ SafetyMA +3.6
MA
60.7
WA
57.1
🏥 HealthMA +10.2
MA
98.0
WA
87.8
🎓 EducationMA +42.9
MA
100.0
WA
57.1
💼 Fiscal HealthWA +14.2
MA
50.1
WA
64.3
📈 GrowthWA +9.3
MA
29.8
WA
39.1
🏠 AffordabilityWA +10.3
MA
26.0
WA
36.3
🌿 EnvironmentWA +18.7
MA
54.4
WA
73.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessWA +3.4
MA
32.0
WA
35.4
🚇 TransportationWA +1.0
MA
55.4
WA
56.4
🎭 LivabilityMA +4.2
MA
43.2
WA
39.0
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Massachusetts | Washington | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,001,399 | 7,812,880 | WA |
| Median Income | $101,370 | $90,325 | MA |
| Unemployment | 4.9% | 4.9% | Tie |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 345 | 372 | MA |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 108 | 109 | MA |
| HS Graduation Rate | 90% | 82% | MA |
| Life Expectancy | 80.4 yr | 79.2 yr | MA |
| Pop Growth | +0.9% | +1% | WA |
Massachusetts vs Washington: How Do They Compare?
Massachusetts ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 70.3, earning a B+ grade. Washington sits at #22 with 63.2 and a B grade. Massachusetts has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Massachusetts has 4.9% unemployment and a $101,370 median income, while Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.
For safety, Massachusetts's violent crime rate is 345 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Massachusetts with an index of 108 vs 109.
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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