Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks #12 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 71.0/100 and a B+ grade. Its strongest category is Education (100/100) and its weakest is Affordability (26/100).
How Does Massachusetts Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newton | A+ | 74.7 | 88,415 | $185,154 | 58.6 | 111.6 |
| 11 | Brookline | A+ | 69.5 | 62,822 | $140,631 | 67.2 | — |
| 29 | Somerville | A+ | 67.7 | 80,407 | $126,619 | 246.5 | 111.6 |
| 38 | Cambridge | A+ | 67.3 | 118,208 | $134,307 | 479.1 | 111.6 |
| 65 | Waltham | A+ | 65.2 | 64,723 | $116,560 | 250.8 | 111.6 |
| 158 | Framingham | A | 61.4 | 71,866 | $103,841 | 294.5 | 111.6 |
| 165 | Quincy | A | 61.2 | 101,607 | $92,085 | 344.4 | 111.6 |
| 265 | Malden | B+ | 58.5 | 65,136 | $88,003 | 266 | 111.6 |
| 305 | Revere | B+ | 57.5 | 59,933 | $81,121 | 404.4 | 111.6 |
| 318 | Boston | B+ | 57.3 | 652,442 | $96,931 | 633.1 | 111.6 |
| 432 | Haverhill | B | 54.6 | 67,398 | $87,309 | 510.9 | 111.6 |
| 468 | Lynn | B | 53.6 | 101,250 | $73,723 | 460.7 | — |
| 489 | Taunton | B | 53.2 | 59,719 | $79,715 | 513.6 | 92.6 |
| 494 | Lowell | B | 53.1 | 114,289 | $73,083 | 417.2 | 111.6 |
| 596 | Worcester | C+ | 50.9 | 207,629 | $69,262 | 715 | 102 |
| 723 | Brockton | C | 47.7 | 104,884 | $79,990 | 665.4 | 111.6 |
| 727 | Lawrence | C | 47.4 | 88,174 | $58,079 | 479.5 | 111.6 |
| 797 | New Bedford | C | 45.4 | 100,683 | $53,583 | 505.6 | — |
| 895 | Fall River | D | 41.8 | 93,864 | $52,978 | 908.6 | — |
| 923 | Springfield | D | 40.7 | 153,672 | $47,101 | 885.8 | 98.4 |
Best Cities in Massachusetts for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newton | 73.2 | 96.1 | 99.0 | 28.2 |
| 2 | Brookline | 69.5 | 90.5 | 96.3 | 21.2 |
| 3 | Somerville | 66.0 | 85.3 | 80.9 | 27.6 |
| 4 | Waltham | 65.2 | 80.7 | 84.8 | 35.4 |
| 5 | Cambridge | 63.5 | 90.5 | 59.1 | 25.4 |
More Northeast States
Massachusetts Rankings Overview
Massachusetts earns an overall grade of B+ with a composite score of 71 out of 100, ranking #12 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (100/100) while its biggest challenge is Affordability (26/100).
Economy & Employment in Massachusetts
With an unemployment rate of 4.9% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Massachusetts performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $101,370, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's violent crime rate of 345 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks #2 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #1 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Massachusetts is 80.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 90%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's total tax burden is 9.57% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 9%. The effective property tax rate is 1.15% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.25%.
Housing & Affordability in Massachusetts
The median home price in Massachusetts is $615,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 108 (where 100 equals the national average), placing it among the more expensive states. The price-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
Environment in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a median air quality index of 37 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 24% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 3.6 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's population growth rate is +0.9% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -3.9 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 98.7% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in Massachusetts
The top-ranked cities in Massachusetts based on our composite scoring are Newton, Brookline, and Somerville. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Massachusetts's overall ranking?
Massachusetts ranks #12 out of 50 states with a composite score of 71/100 and a grade of B+.
Is Massachusetts a good place to live?
Massachusetts ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 71/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Massachusetts?
The violent crime rate in Massachusetts is 345 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Massachusetts's economy compare?
Massachusetts's median household income is $101,370 with an unemployment rate of 4.9%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Massachusetts?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Massachusetts are Newton, Brookline, and Somerville.
How does Massachusetts rank for families?
Massachusetts ranks #14 of 50 states for families with a score of 76.3/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Massachusetts rank for retirees?
Massachusetts ranks #19 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 66.3/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Massachusetts rank for remote workers?
Massachusetts ranks #41 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 48.5/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.