Slower Sundays
Find my cities

Cost of living in Massachusetts

Everyday prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the US average, the 45th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Massachusetts next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
MassachusettsUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Massachusetts?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$118,500
Typical household incomeA year · 1st highest of 51
21%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($2,121/mo) against median income ($118,500). 39th lowest of 51.
6.0
Years of income to buy a home$714,250 median listing against $118,500 income. 44th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Massachusetts?

33,340 more people left Massachusetts for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Massachusetts

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Worcester, MA-CT3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,757
    Typical home
    $549,946
    Mortgage
    $3,022/mo
  2. 2Boston-Cambridge-Newton8% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,370
    Typical home
    $784,778
    Mortgage
    $4,313/mo

Massachusetts next to its neighbors

The states that border Massachusetts, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 29Vermont2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,452
    Typical home
    $499,450
    Net moves
    -726
  2. 37Rhode Island2% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,701
    Typical home
    $569,900
    Net moves
    -1,551
  3. 42Connecticut4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,772
    Typical home
    $522,500
    Net moves
    -5,945
  4. 43New Hampshire4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,867
    Typical home
    $590,000
    Net moves
    +6,554
Show 2 more
  1. 45MassachusettsThis state6% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,121
    Typical home
    $714,250
    Net moves
    -33,340
  2. 47New York8% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,729
    Typical home
    $605,000
    Net moves
    -137,586

Massachusetts by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Massachusetts next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Massachusetts105.8128.1$714,250$3,925$2,121
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in Massachusetts

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Worcester, MA-CT102.5$1,757$549,946
Boston-Cambridge-Newton108.3$2,370$784,778

Massachusetts next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Massachusetts105.8$2,121$714,250-33,340
Connecticut103.6$1,772$522,500-5,945
New Hampshire104.2$1,867$590,000+6,554
New York107.9$1,729$605,000-137,586
Rhode Island102.3$1,701$569,900-1,551
Vermont98.0$1,452$499,450-726

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-32,164
2020-21-9,433
2021-22-47,954
2022-23-35,360
2023-24-19,195
2024-25-33,340

States with a similar cost of living to Massachusetts

Keep comparing

Massachusetts cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Massachusetts?

Everyday prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the US average, the 45th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 128.1 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $714,250 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $3,925 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $2,121 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $140,930 in Massachusetts.

Is Massachusetts cheap or expensive to live in?

More expensive than average. Massachusetts's regional price parity is 105.8, 5.8% above the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Massachusetts?

The median listed home in Massachusetts is $714,250 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 48th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $3,925 a month.

How much is rent in Massachusetts?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Massachusetts is $2,121 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Massachusetts equals $150,000 in New York?

About $140,930, using BEA regional price parities for Massachusetts (105.8) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Massachusetts?

33,340 more people left Massachusetts for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Find the cities that fit your family

Answer a few quick questions and get your shortlist, ranked on what you care about. Free, no account.

Find my cities
Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page