State Guide

Best Places to Live in Massachusetts

The most affordable, safest, and highest-income cities across 248 Massachusetts cities — ranked from official data.

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Choosing where to live in Massachusetts comes down to a few trade-offs — cost of living, safety, income, and schools. The rankings below pull those out from U.S. Census, FBI, and NCES data so you can see the standouts at a glance, then drill into any city or put two side by side.

Most Affordable Cities in Massachusetts

Lowest cost of living index (100 = U.S. average · lower is cheaper).

#City Cost of Living Population
1 Springfield 98 155,305
2 Chicopee 98 55,441
3 New Bedford 101 100,620
4 Fall River 101 93,638
5 Taunton 101 59,436
6 Boston 112 665,945
7 Cambridge 112 117,962
8 Lowell 112 114,737
9 Brockton 112 104,713
10 Quincy 112 100,981

Safest Cities in Massachusetts

Lowest crime index (100 = U.S. average · lower is safer). Limited to cities with complete FBI reporting.

#City Crime Index Population
1 Newton 19 88,453
2 Brookline 33 62,698
3 Methuen Town 43 52,812
4 Medford 51 61,748
5 Weymouth Town 51 57,300
6 Waltham 53 64,711
7 Peabody 56 54,204
8 Somerville 67 80,464
9 Malden 69 65,463
10 Framingham 71 71,805

Highest-Income Cities in Massachusetts

Highest median household income (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).

#City Median Income Population
1 Newton $176,373 88,453
2 Brookline $130,600 62,698
3 Cambridge $121,539 117,962
4 Somerville $120,778 80,464
5 Medford $114,863 61,748
6 Waltham $113,443 64,711
7 Weymouth Town $95,879 57,300
8 Framingham $94,909 71,805
9 Methuen Town $93,681 52,812
10 Peabody $91,125 54,204

Best School Districts in Massachusetts

Highest school-quality grade (student-teacher ratio, adult attainment, and graduation data where available).

#City School Grade Population
1 Cambridge A+ 117,962
2 Newton A+ 88,453
3 Medford A+ 61,748
4 Waltham A 64,711
5 Somerville A 80,464
6 Brookline A 62,698
7 Boston A 665,945
8 Framingham A 71,805
9 Quincy A 100,981
10 Weymouth Town A- 57,300

Popular Massachusetts City Comparisons

Head-to-head breakdowns of the state's largest cities.

Boston vs Worcester Boston vs Springfield Boston vs Cambridge Boston vs Lowell Boston vs Brockton Boston vs Quincy Boston vs Lynn Worcester vs Springfield Worcester vs Cambridge Worcester vs Lowell Worcester vs Brockton Worcester vs Quincy

All Cities in Massachusetts

Click any city for the full profile. Data from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates).

City Population Median Income Median Home Median Rent Unemployment Crime Index
Boston 665,945 $89,212 $684,900 $1,981 6.6% 138
Worcester 204,191 $63,011 $305,600 $1,312 6.6% —
Springfield 155,305 $47,677 $198,500 $1,047 8.7% 195
Cambridge 117,962 $121,539 $997,600 $2,628 3.3% 119
Lowell 114,737 $73,008 $362,800 $1,466 5.7% 116
Brockton 104,713 $74,016 $364,700 $1,446 8.2% 120
Quincy 100,981 $90,668 $563,200 $1,901 6.7% 78
Lynn 100,653 $70,046 $442,800 $1,511 5.7% 113
New Bedford 100,620 $54,604 $291,300 $1,026 7.2% 82
Fall River 93,638 $52,734 $328,100 $1,020 8.4% 144
Newton 88,453 $176,373 $1,136,200 $2,252 3.5% 19
Lawrence 88,067 $53,977 $370,600 $1,502 10.4% 88
Somerville 80,464 $120,778 $860,500 $2,357 2.8% 67
Framingham 71,805 $94,909 $553,200 $1,689 5.0% 71
Haverhill 67,273 $81,989 $400,900 $1,462 6.0% 83
Malden 65,463 $90,295 $570,600 $1,962 6.6% 69
Waltham 64,711 $113,443 $679,000 $2,141 3.1% 53
Brookline 62,698 $130,600 $1,181,200 $2,702 3.5% 33
Medford 61,748 $114,863 $669,600 $2,305 4.2% 51
Revere 60,577 $78,968 $518,600 $1,790 7.3% 99
Taunton 59,436 $72,782 $359,500 $1,180 5.5% 87
Weymouth Town 57,300 $95,879 $469,300 $1,718 4.7% 51
Chicopee 55,441 $63,866 $230,700 $1,058 6.1% 123
Peabody 54,204 $91,125 $508,400 $1,795 4.4% 56
Methuen Town 52,812 $93,681 $439,500 $1,514 6.4% 43
Barnstable Town 48,922 $94,387 $498,700 $1,711 3.1% 80
Everett 48,685 $77,796 $557,700 $1,892 6.6% 80
Attleboro 46,384 $91,378 $378,900 $1,359 4.4% 56
Arlington 45,906 $136,312 $839,200 $1,902 3.6% 17
Salem 44,541 $79,196 $464,200 $1,678 5.0% 54
Pittsfield 43,730 $66,859 $219,600 $1,027 7.1% 104
Leominster 43,620 $75,620 $323,400 $1,171 6.0% 102
Beverly 42,414 $99,525 $569,300 $1,622 3.3% 34
Fitchburg 41,621 $65,963 $262,500 $1,115 7.7% 102
Marlborough 41,391 $94,199 $439,600 $1,648 5.4% 86
Woburn 40,992 $104,780 $612,500 $2,131 7.4% 52
Westfield 40,794 $78,307 $282,100 $1,050 4.5% 46
Chelsea 39,890 $71,051 $450,600 $1,806 8.9% 182
Braintree Town 38,748 $120,593 $596,800 $1,678 3.9% 66
Holyoke 38,210 $49,007 $236,800 $937 6.8% 245
Watertown Town 35,181 $117,625 $722,000 $2,183 5.7% 60
Randolph Town 34,691 $94,905 $429,000 $1,883 8.3% 55
Lexington 34,221 $206,323 $1,085,000 $2,818 3.7% 15
Amherst Town 33,389 $68,427 $443,400 $1,484 9.3% 31
Franklin Town 32,777 $138,062 $516,500 $1,792 5.4% 20
Needham 31,957 $206,261 $1,076,900 $2,133 5.2% 21
Norwood 31,343 $98,653 $588,100 $1,948 3.6% 40
North Attleborough Town 30,750 $104,795 $429,900 $1,246 5.9% 54
Wellesley 29,862 $250,001 $1,424,400 $2,637 4.0% 17
Gloucester 29,830 $84,465 $535,100 $1,390 5.8% 54
Melrose 29,477 $126,305 $732,300 $1,837 3.9% 24
West Springfield Town 28,755 $67,297 $294,400 $1,038 5.8% 126
Agawam Town 28,606 $80,809 $272,100 $1,218 5.2% 65
Saugus 28,566 $96,064 $543,300 $1,717 3.4% 66
Bridgewater Town 28,531 $110,354 $464,900 $1,820 4.8% 16
Milton 28,450 $170,531 $838,100 $1,454 3.8% 19
Northampton 28,245 $80,981 $387,500 $1,355 5.6% 95
Danvers 27,910 $116,636 $589,600 $1,862 4.9% 50
Milford 27,569 $89,608 $389,100 $1,588 5.9% 62
Wakefield 27,054 $125,592 $646,400 $1,742 4.0% 35
Belmont 26,997 $164,918 $1,060,600 $2,339 4.7% 22
Burlington 26,169 $133,936 $659,400 $2,319 3.5% 67
Reading 25,415 $154,662 $713,200 $1,650 2.8% 16
Dedham 25,150 $118,877 $601,700 $2,006 3.9% 68
Wilmington 23,191 $151,034 $614,500 $2,293 4.4% 45
Stoneham 22,992 $112,935 $609,300 $1,843 3.3% 36
Winchester 22,809 $208,531 $1,149,600 $2,192 3.4% 10
Gardner 21,090 $56,974 $243,900 $1,041 6.4% 64
Marblehead 20,350 $164,104 $858,900 $1,749 3.3% 34
Winthrop Town 19,031 $98,901 $563,100 $1,841 5.3% 35
Newburyport 18,356 $127,306 $737,200 $1,426 5.7% 15
Somerset 18,266 $105,377 $369,000 $1,307 2.8% 35
Greenfield 17,674 $53,149 $240,300 $1,012 5.4% 148
Southbridge Town 17,669 $55,182 $254,700 $1,142 9.2% 70
Amesbury Town 17,279 $91,010 $435,400 $1,464 4.3% 36
Abington 17,003 $120,535 $476,600 $1,419 4.7% 63
Easthampton Town 16,136 $67,329 $331,100 $1,168 5.4% 41
Longmeadow 15,789 $138,218 $409,600 $1,760 6.5% 26
Hudson 15,496 $91,324 $439,000 $1,484 4.3% 36
Swampscott 15,125 $118,646 $645,700 $2,134 5.4% 33
North Adams 12,937 $49,525 $166,800 $843 5.0% 237
Lynnfield 12,925 $160,931 $861,100 $1,891 4.5% 32
Palmer Town 12,422 $73,568 $232,300 $1,118 4.2% 70
Webster 12,264 $59,375 $274,000 $999 9.8% 116
South Yarmouth 11,805 $77,723 $430,100 $1,655 7.1% 28
Holbrook 11,338 $96,920 $403,800 $1,380 3.8% 76
Maynard 10,671 $112,524 $459,700 $1,516 4.3% 52
Nantucket 10,479 $131,736 $1,182,100 $2,342 6.3% 49
Hull 10,116 $128,022 $563,700 $1,728 4.0% 50
Andover 9,419 $130,417 $700,000 $1,477 7.2% 30
Athol 9,148 $62,962 $211,300 $981 8.1% 85
Middleborough Center 7,807 $79,811 $370,100 $1,484 3.7% 41
Mansfield Center 7,690 $94,903 $440,400 $1,519 5.2% 54
Plymouth 7,649 $74,500 $388,000 $1,672 6.0% 64
Clinton 7,361 $72,956 $313,400 $1,281 4.0% 8
Whitinsville 7,273 $88,750 $398,500 $1,125 4.8% 25
Cochituate 6,937 $181,494 $808,600 $1,739 2.7% 45
Northborough 6,677 $147,456 $497,300 $1,208 4.0% 6
East Falmouth 6,558 $67,964 $485,700 $1,780 4.7% 28
West Concord 6,450 $170,040 $810,800 $2,449 5.0% 45
Pinehurst 6,426 $136,292 $543,700 $1,817 3.8% 45
Walpole 6,373 $121,210 $515,700 $1,604 3.3% 37
Medfield 6,318 $181,125 $742,100 $1,324 5.5% 28
Foxborough 6,312 $71,340 $483,300 $1,566 3.4% 56
Ware 6,253 $44,107 $201,100 $1,010 12.3% 116
West Yarmouth 6,098 $60,794 $416,400 $1,547 5.6% 28
Kingston 6,090 $124,048 $468,800 $1,398 2.3% 47
Sharon 5,983 $173,938 $584,000 $2,244 3.1% 10
Yarmouth Port 5,971 $102,321 $486,200 $1,671 2.0% 28
Adams 5,722 $49,077 $169,600 $879 6.2% 67
East Harwich 5,693 $96,188 $574,800 $2,026 2.4% 28
North Scituate 5,675 $127,339 $735,200 $1,564 5.6% 41
Spencer 5,637 $58,898 $292,400 $1,022 7.9% 18
Hingham 5,606 $204,946 $1,120,600 $1,319 4.3% 35
Bliss Corner 5,591 $71,016 $382,900 $1,014 0.4% 54
Scituate 5,442 $108,194 $651,100 $870 2.1% 9
Oxford 5,410 $74,762 $313,500 $911 1.6% 50
Salisbury 5,269 $89,768 $427,100 $1,509 3.1% 39
The Pinehills 5,127 $111,710 $644,500 $2,457 1.0% 41
Raynham Center 5,074 $98,984 $464,900 $1,766 7.4% 54
Rockport 4,943 $89,574 $647,100 $1,712 7.6% 9
Ipswich 4,872 $95,342 $562,300 $1,367 2.8% 26
Marshfield 4,868 $93,491 $570,400 $1,227 4.8% 26
Millis-Clicquot 4,718 $111,192 $462,600 $1,817 1.8% 3
North Westport 4,660 $82,408 $356,500 $1,130 1.7% 54
Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock 4,637 $106,528 $467,500 $1,157 6.3% 41
Bellingham 4,636 $76,729 $368,000 $1,854 10.4% 54
Smith Mills 4,556 $73,393 $339,400 $658 2.4% 54
Williamstown 4,498 $110,855 $458,500 $1,244 0.7% 32
Winchendon 4,461 $56,042 $233,200 $959 6.8% 48
North Plymouth 4,418 $59,696 $407,400 $1,646 18.1% 41
Westborough 4,381 $87,411 $497,700 $1,414 2.3% 51
Hopedale 4,137 $117,135 $370,200 $1,457 5.4% 15
Northwest Harwich 4,076 $81,268 $555,400 $3,501 12.8% 28
Sagamore 3,966 $113,289 $491,600 $1,641 3.0% 28
North Pembroke 3,954 $156,429 $485,400 $2,540 1.6% 41
Forestdale 3,912 $118,382 $449,100 $1,665 2.2% 28
Falmouth 3,883 $57,333 $678,800 $1,101 3.9% 61
Wilbraham 3,839 $97,891 $342,900 $1,125 3.8% 50
Turners Falls 3,838 $53,306 $229,800 $1,054 2.9% 49
East Sandwich 3,787 $123,571 $590,000 $1,867 3.4% 28
Orange 3,731 $55,558 $203,400 $988 13.0% 68
East Dennis 3,711 $85,321 $647,800 — 4.9% 28
North Lakeville 3,635 $85,123 $467,000 $1,718 3.2% 41
Provincetown 3,433 $91,711 $793,200 $1,106 8.3% 97
South Duxbury 3,409 $197,632 $934,300 $2,087 5.1% 41
Nahant 3,336 $105,867 $647,800 $1,747 4.2% 48
Dennis Port 3,300 $54,071 $425,200 $1,390 11.6% 28
Hopkinton 3,298 $168,393 $603,200 $1,588 4.1% 18
Acushnet Center 3,164 $67,333 $285,100 $959 7.8% 54
South Dennis 3,101 $81,607 $413,600 $1,696 3.0% 28
Monument Beach 3,024 $93,688 $476,300 $1,743 2.2% 28
Buzzards Bay 2,993 $88,791 $418,700 $1,556 2.4% 28
Ayer 2,969 $76,094 $387,900 $1,223 0.9% 56
Sandwich 2,948 $99,333 $486,900 $1,688 4.4% 31
Cordaville 2,884 $190,170 $711,800 — 2.7% 25
Littleton Common 2,870 $122,854 $474,200 $1,275 9.1% 45
Fiskdale 2,827 $83,546 $356,900 $1,256 8.6% 25
Topsfield 2,799 $156,250 $692,400 $944 6.1% 52
West Dennis 2,732 $82,955 $488,900 $1,541 1.7% 28
North Seekonk 2,726 $105,459 $400,900 $1,283 6.4% 54
Boxford 2,714 $247,557 $855,500 — 5.6% 52
Ocean Grove 2,691 $75,208 $296,300 $1,327 7.4% 54
Wareham Center 2,654 $69,286 $399,600 $1,304 4.9% 41
Belchertown 2,648 $75,284 $305,200 $1,013 0.9% 43
Mattapoisett Center 2,645 $95,986 $601,800 $1,411 3.9% 41
Pocasset 2,627 $86,150 $571,400 — 0.9% —
West Wareham 2,605 $52,771 $217,000 $1,269 5.6% 41
Upton 2,596 $104,913 $443,800 $1,116 6.4% 8
Norton Center 2,580 $109,356 $395,000 $1,181 4.1% 54
East Douglas 2,562 $74,417 $395,000 $1,210 1.3% 25
Dover 2,512 $250,001 $1,178,500 $3,501 13.9% 33
Cedar Crest 2,460 $176,548 $572,100 — 5.3% 41
Marshfield Hills 2,458 $164,571 $709,300 — 0.0% 41
North Brookfield 2,437 $73,904 $226,400 $931 2.0% 25
Vineyard Haven 2,367 $65,313 $733,900 $1,420 3.7% 50
North Falmouth 2,318 $129,421 $658,300 — 5.6% 28
Baldwinville 2,286 — $270,100 $913 21.1% 25
Harwich Port 2,252 $58,854 $607,900 $1,087 4.3% 28
White Island Shores 2,223 $103,372 $343,000 $1,753 5.4% 41
Sturbridge 2,222 $123,375 $373,500 $1,625 0.0% 50
Pepperell 2,205 $91,406 $389,900 $894 6.6% 24
Lunenburg 2,149 $114,500 $397,300 — 2.4% 37
Hanson 2,087 $110,096 $459,600 — 5.8% 23
East Pepperell 1,999 $109,265 $393,300 $1,400 4.5% 45
Lenox 1,999 $57,460 $365,700 $1,055 0.0% 43
North Eastham 1,971 $81,544 $606,500 $1,645 10.5% 28
South Deerfield 1,953 $81,577 $436,800 $1,271 5.8% 49
Dennis 1,898 $113,526 $718,000 $1,449 5.5% 52
Great Barrington 1,890 $44,583 $479,100 $1,031 3.4% 49
Essex 1,880 $143,615 $674,900 — 1.1% 53
West Falmouth 1,793 $167,083 $667,200 — 8.7% 28
Hanscom AFB 1,784 $71,250 — $3,203 1.0% 45
Bourne 1,782 $76,103 $444,200 $1,695 0.0% 62
Devens 1,763 $106,875 $397,800 — 1.0% 25
Duxbury 1,761 $128,000 $1,228,000 — 5.6% 23
Brewster 1,739 $62,695 $668,600 $1,177 7.1% 24
Shelburne Falls 1,699 $54,250 $290,500 $998 7.1% 49
Rutland 1,690 $84,063 $324,900 $1,110 2.1% 20
Monson Center 1,673 $51,902 $261,200 $816 16.6% 106
Orleans 1,665 $72,422 $466,300 $804 0.0% 40
Rowley 1,642 $101,995 $607,800 $1,039 0.0% 15
South Lancaster 1,642 $101,250 $339,500 $379 19.0% 25
Chatham 1,637 $84,554 $1,259,400 $965 8.6% 37
West Chatham 1,633 $130,213 $711,000 — 6.2% 28
Weweantic 1,593 — $370,500 $488 12.5% 41
Teaticket 1,561 $86,250 $450,000 $1,388 1.4% 28
West Brookfield 1,532 $53,849 $227,600 $1,066 13.7% 24
Oak Bluffs 1,521 $57,212 $783,700 — 3.8% 84
Lee 1,507 $78,021 $263,300 $1,193 5.8% 54
Groton 1,472 $121,484 $641,100 — 3.4% 11
Holland 1,452 $78,462 $277,000 $1,165 3.1% 23
Harwich Center 1,419 $71,806 $532,300 — 7.1% 28
Shirley 1,359 $85,119 $337,400 $927 6.9% 21
East Brookfield 1,345 $76,406 $338,000 $988 1.3% 62
Hatfield 1,331 $99,500 $451,900 $944 1.5% 12
Onset 1,326 $72,017 $350,700 $1,583 28.6% 41
Mashpee Neck 1,270 $135,536 $518,600 — 2.6% 28
Granby 1,176 $94,663 $303,800 $859 4.3% 14
Green Harbor 1,174 $188,299 $875,600 — 12.5% 41
Townsend 1,131 $61,546 $340,500 $953 3.3% 26
Millers Falls 1,061 $60,455 $221,400 $996 4.3% 49
South Ashburnham 1,049 $100,455 $282,300 — 0.0% 25
Woods Hole 992 $72,031 $841,900 $1,219 11.7% 28
Housatonic 985 $80,000 $412,900 $1,116 0.0% 73
Marion Center 980 $97,500 $577,300 $2,400 8.1% 41
Brookfield 948 $68,299 $291,700 $1,069 2.7% 30
Northfield 908 $62,969 $273,200 $915 2.2% 16
Huntington 865 $58,646 $243,800 $1,081 3.5% 30
West Warren 826 $64,989 $255,500 $793 18.4% 25
Chester 795 $79,167 $194,300 $981 3.8% 106
New Seabury 738 $167,222 $744,100 — 4.5% 28
Edgartown 610 — — — 0.0% 76
Seabrook 595 $123,889 $648,400 — 0.0% 28
Barre 594 $75,813 $283,900 — 6.8% 59
Russell 573 $103,906 $247,900 $864 0.0% 33
Warren 567 — — $1,011 30.2% 41
Cheshire 547 — — — 0.0% 12
Deerfield 486 — — — 7.4% 58
Popponesset 366 — $567,900 — 14.2% —
Blandford 349 $90,865 $204,900 — 0.0% 106
Madaket 318 $103,487 $1,639,400 — 0.0% 64
Petersham 275 $76,328 $356,100 $1,458 1.4% 25
Lenox Dale 255 — — — 39.4% 73
Seconsett Island 137 — $1,171,900 — 15.1% 28
Monomoscoy Island 123 $126,042 $1,105,300 — 0.0% 28
Siasconset 115 — $1,241,100 — 0.0% 64
Popponesset Island 70 $137,500 $2,000,001 — 0.0% 28

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield, MA is among the most affordable cities in Massachusetts, with a cost of living index of 98 (US average = 100) and a median home value of $198,500. See the full ranking above.
Newton, MA ranks among the safest cities in Massachusetts, with a crime index of 19 (100 = U.S. average, lower is safer). Crime data from the FBI UCR Program.
Newton, MA has one of the highest median household incomes in Massachusetts at $176,373 per year. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

Compare Any Two Cities

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