Cost of Living in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 64 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Springfield (cost index 90.0) to Newton (112.2), with a statewide average around 103.2 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Holyoke at $1,016/mo and highest in Wellesley at $2,849/mo.
Massachusetts at a Glance
Cities Tracked
64
with census data
Avg Cost Index
103.2
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,808
per month
Avg Household Income
$106,070
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 90.0 | $1,114 |
| Worcester | 96.0 | $1,415 |
| Franklin Town | 96.5 | $1,856 |
| Arlington | 103.4 | $2,043 |
| Boston | 112.2 | $2,093 |
Most Expensive
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 112.2 | $2,093 |
| Cambridge | 112.2 | $2,742 |
| Newton | 112.2 | $2,388 |
| Arlington | 103.4 | $2,043 |
| Franklin Town | 96.5 | $1,856 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in Massachusetts
State Income Tax
9.00%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
6.25%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Boston | 663,972 | 112.2 | $2,093 | $710,400 | $94,755 |
| Worcester | 205,501 | 96.0 | $1,415 | $339,500 | $67,544 |
| Springfield | 154,751 | 90.0 | $1,114 | $222,700 | $51,339 |
| Cambridge | 117,794 | 112.2 | $2,742 | $1,040,500 | $126,469 |
| Lowell | 114,799 | — | $1,603 | $395,100 | $76,205 |
| Brockton | 105,080 | — | $1,545 | $405,500 | $77,089 |
| Quincy | 101,361 | — | $1,998 | $598,100 | $95,711 |
| Lynn | 100,905 | — | $1,612 | $472,600 | $74,715 |
| New Bedford | 100,731 | — | $1,085 | $324,400 | $56,025 |
| Fall River | 93,764 | — | $1,086 | $357,800 | $53,933 |
| Newton | 88,504 | 112.2 | $2,388 | $1,202,500 | $184,989 |
| Lawrence | 88,297 | — | $1,569 | $393,500 | $57,903 |
| Somerville | 80,549 | — | $2,468 | $899,400 | $127,056 |
| Framingham | 72,013 | — | $1,853 | $600,600 | $98,179 |
| Haverhill | 67,387 | — | $1,620 | $426,900 | $87,675 |
| Malden | 65,509 | — | $2,066 | $607,500 | $95,298 |
| Waltham | 64,723 | — | $2,232 | $705,700 | $116,560 |
| Brookline | 62,822 | — | $2,804 | $1,233,100 | $140,631 |
| Revere | 59,933 | — | $1,966 | $566,200 | $81,121 |
| Taunton | 59,719 | — | $1,269 | $388,200 | $79,715 |
| Medford | 59,062 | — | $2,477 | $715,500 | $118,089 |
| Weymouth Town | 57,786 | — | $1,861 | $516,200 | $100,077 |
| Chicopee | 55,213 | — | $1,108 | $251,800 | $66,927 |
| Peabody | 54,180 | — | $1,902 | $566,200 | $95,278 |
| Methuen Town | 53,043 | — | $1,610 | $472,200 | $103,270 |
| Everett | 49,236 | — | $1,988 | $605,200 | $79,658 |
| Barnstable Town | 49,232 | — | $1,751 | $559,200 | $97,348 |
| Attleboro | 46,499 | — | $1,446 | $409,100 | $93,266 |
| Arlington | 46,015 | 103.4 | $2,043 | $885,000 | $141,440 |
| Salem | 44,241 | — | $1,800 | $497,400 | $85,137 |
| Leominster | 43,697 | — | $1,282 | $345,000 | $81,556 |
| Pittsfield | 43,559 | — | $1,094 | $233,700 | $68,386 |
| Beverly | 42,408 | — | $1,683 | $621,900 | $103,739 |
| Fitchburg | 41,633 | — | $1,131 | $295,500 | $70,659 |
| Marlborough | 41,398 | — | $1,721 | $485,400 | $95,047 |
| Woburn | 41,205 | — | $2,190 | $641,800 | $107,754 |
| Westfield | 40,673 | — | $1,064 | $295,500 | $82,847 |
| Chelsea | 39,460 | — | $1,859 | $476,500 | $72,220 |
| Braintree Town | 38,762 | — | $1,925 | $623,200 | $125,305 |
| Holyoke | 37,949 | — | $1,016 | $255,300 | $51,892 |
| Amherst Town | 35,472 | — | $1,570 | $454,000 | $65,938 |
| Watertown Town | 35,270 | — | $2,357 | $737,600 | $123,422 |
| Randolph Town | 34,683 | — | $2,049 | $463,500 | $103,129 |
| Lexington | 34,085 | — | $2,816 | $1,147,900 | $219,402 |
| Franklin Town | 33,067 | 96.5 | $1,856 | $567,100 | $142,788 |
| Needham | 32,059 | — | $2,412 | $1,146,000 | $212,241 |
| Norwood | 31,380 | — | $2,056 | $613,500 | $97,110 |
| North Attleborough Town | 30,842 | — | $1,402 | $462,700 | $109,426 |
| Wellesley | 29,906 | — | $2,849 | $1,513,400 | $250,001 |
| Gloucester | 29,862 | — | $1,395 | $587,800 | $87,898 |
| Melrose | 29,488 | — | $1,933 | $796,100 | $126,854 |
| Bridgewater Town | 28,669 | — | $1,976 | $500,600 | $112,482 |
| Northampton | 28,640 | — | $1,404 | $398,000 | $78,467 |
| West Springfield Town | 28,635 | — | $1,121 | $307,900 | $70,401 |
| Saugus | 28,599 | — | $1,982 | $589,500 | $100,819 |
| Agawam Town | 28,510 | — | $1,234 | $290,000 | $82,359 |
| Milton | 28,481 | — | $1,503 | $896,500 | $178,053 |
| Danvers | 27,924 | — | $2,004 | $611,200 | $117,072 |
| Milford | 27,919 | — | $1,702 | $429,800 | $88,992 |
| Wakefield | 27,284 | — | $1,872 | $670,100 | $130,320 |
| Belmont | 27,009 | — | $2,387 | $1,108,800 | $178,188 |
| Burlington | 26,223 | — | $2,597 | $679,400 | $142,207 |
| Reading | 25,448 | — | $1,722 | $741,100 | $163,725 |
| Dedham | 25,109 | — | $2,058 | $630,400 | $124,375 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Moving Guides Involving Massachusetts
Compare Massachusetts cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Massachusetts cities stack up across the US. For example, Boston vs Worcester.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Massachusetts
What is the cost of living in Massachusetts?
The average cost of living index across cities in Massachusetts is approximately 103.2 (US average = 100), which is slightly above the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,808/month and median household income averages around $106,070/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Massachusetts?
The most affordable cities in Massachusetts by cost of living index are: 1. Springfield (index 90.0), 2. Worcester (index 96.0), 3. Franklin Town (index 96.5).
What is the median rent in Massachusetts?
The average median gross rent across cities in Massachusetts is approximately $1,808/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's top marginal state income tax rate is 9.00%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's statewide sales tax rate is 6.25%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a cost of living index of approximately 103.2 and average median rent around $1,808/month. It is somewhat above the US average in cost, so factor that into your relocation budget. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology