Best Cities for Young Professionals in Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks #35 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 48.4. Brookline is its best city for young professionals at 74.0.
- Massachusetts, all states
- #35 of 50
- Population
- 63,266
Massachusetts for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Massachusetts ranks #35 out of 50 for young professionals, suggesting some tradeoffs for career-focused relocators. The state's economy scores 60/100, with 4.5% unemployment and a median household income of $104,828. Modest population growth of 0.22% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. A cost-of-living index of 105.8 means higher expenses, so salary negotiations need to account for the premium. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Massachusetts's livability score of 34/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 52/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 25 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brookline | A+ | 74.0 | 79.5 | 87 | — | 76 | 63,266 |
| 2Newton | A+ | 68.5 | 78.3 | 85 | 49 | 71 | 89,044 |
| 3Somerville | A+ | 65.5 | 72.4 | 81 | 44 | 76 | 81,036 |
| 4Cambridge | A+ | 64.5 | 70.4 | 79 | 49 | 78 | 118,796 |
| 5Medford | A+ | 63.5 | 71.9 | 76 | 40 | 73 | 59,354 |
| 6Waltham | A+ | 61.7 | 69.3 | 72 | 39 | 68 | 64,902 |
| 7Quincy | A | 59.7 | 66.1 | 62 | 46 | 73 | 102,114 |
| 8Malden | A | 59.3 | 64.0 | 63 | 41 | 73 | 65,906 |
| 9Boston | B+ | 56.6 | 61.1 | 60 | 38 | 74 | 666,442 |
| 10Framingham | A | 56.3 | 64.5 | 67 | 40 | 53 | 72,399 |
| 11Methuen Town | A | 55.9 | 65.3 | 65 | 37 | 55 | 53,475 |
| 12Weymouth Town | B+ | 55.1 | 62.2 | 62 | 39 | 53 | 58,505 |
| 13Revere | B+ | 54.3 | 60.2 | 54 | 35 | 71 | 60,012 |
| 14Peabody | B+ | 53.8 | 61.6 | 60 | 40 | 54 | 54,695 |
| 15Haverhill | B+ | 53.0 | 59.1 | 54 | 37 | 58 | 67,698 |
| 16Worcester | B | 52.7 | 56.0 | 47 | 48 | 65 | 207,055 |
| 17Lowell | B | 51.6 | 56.5 | 48 | 36 | 72 | 118,368 |
| 18Lynn | C+ | 51.0 | 55.6 | 47 | 43 | 71 | 101,709 |
| 19Taunton | B | 50.2 | 56.5 | 48 | 42 | 50 | 60,433 |
| 20Chicopee | C+ | 50.0 | 55.1 | 39 | 36 | 61 | 55,295 |
| 21New Bedford | C+ | 47.1 | 52.5 | 31 | 35 | 72 | 100,998 |
| 22Brockton | C | 47.1 | 52.3 | 46 | 35 | 65 | 105,386 |
| 23Lawrence | C | 46.8 | 52.1 | 32 | 30 | 74 | 88,736 |
| 24Fall River | D | 45.4 | 48.2 | 31 | 36 | 71 | 94,082 |
| 25Springfield | D | 43.0 | 45.5 | 26 | 33 | 65 | 154,749 |
City young professionals 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.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Massachusetts for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts a good state for young professionals?
Massachusetts ranks #35 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 48.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (89/100) and its weakest is Growth (19/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Massachusetts?
Brookline ranks #1 in Massachusetts for young professionals with a score of 74.0/100, followed by Newton and Somerville.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Massachusetts?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.