Massachusetts · best for families · #9 of 50 states

Best Cities for Families in Massachusetts

Massachusetts ranks #9 of 50 for families, with a families score of 79.8. Newton is its best city for families at 78.1.

See all 50 states for families →

#1 city in MA for families

Newton78.1

Families score out of 100

Massachusetts, all states: #9 of 50
Population: 89,044

Open Newton →

Violent crime rate

302.7

per 100K · FBI estimate

HS graduation rate

90.1%

NCES

Median income

$104,828

Census ACS

Infant care

$27,067/yr

Center-based · Child Care Aware

Home value

$661,896

Typical home value

Why Massachusetts Works for Families

Massachusetts is a top-ten state for families, ranking #9 out of 50. With excellent schools, a moderate violent crime rate of 302.7 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $104,828, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs run above the national average with a cost-of-living index of 105.8.

Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Massachusetts delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 90.1%, above the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 92/100. At $27,067 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.

Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Massachusetts performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 302.7 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 105.8) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

All 25 Cities Ranked for Families

# City	Grade	Families score	Overall	Education	Safety	Affordability	Population
1Newton	A+	78.1	78.3	96	99	26	89,044
2Brookline	A+	75.1	79.5	91	94	21	63,266
3Medford	A+	71.5	71.9	88	89	31	59,354
4Somerville	A+	69.5	72.4	85	83	24	81,036
5Waltham	A+	69.5	69.3	81	87	34	64,902
6Methuen Town	A	69.5	65.3	77	95	51	53,475
7Quincy	A	68.3	66.1	79	79	41	102,114
8Framingham	A	68.1	64.5	79	84	42	72,399
9Cambridge	A+	67.2	70.4	91	60	21	118,796
10Malden	A	67.1	64.0	63	85	39	65,906
11Weymouth Town	B+	65.5	62.2	—	87	46	58,505
12Taunton	B	64.7	56.5	72	75	63	60,433
13Peabody	B+	64.6	61.6	74	84	44	54,695
14Revere	B+	64.4	60.2	64	79	43	60,012
15Haverhill	B+	64.4	59.1	68	81	54	67,698
16New Bedford	C+	64.0	52.5	74	74	68	100,998
17Lowell	B	63.7	56.5	67	65	55	118,368
18Worcester	B	63.0	56.0	78	58	63	207,055
19Chicopee	C+	63.0	55.1	78	66	74	55,295
20Boston	B+	62.5	61.1	72	56	36	666,442
21Lynn	C+	61.6	55.6	74	63	51	101,709
22Brockton	C	60.8	52.3	68	63	55	105,386
23Lawrence	C	60.6	52.1	67	78	55	88,736
24Fall River	D	57.1	48.2	63	47	66	94,082
25Springfield	D	55.5	45.5	76	34	76	154,749

City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.

Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings

Also See: Massachusetts for Other Lifestyles

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Massachusetts a good state for families?

Massachusetts ranks #9 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 79.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Education (92/100) and its weakest is Affordability (29/100).

What is the best city for families in Massachusetts?

Newton ranks #1 in Massachusetts for families with a score of 78.1/100, followed by Brookline and Medford.

What factors are most important for families in Massachusetts?

Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.