Massachusetts has a cost of living index of 129 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $105,630 and a population of 4,993,470. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Massachusetts.
Longmeadow is 19% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $144,639 and a population of 15,724.
Somerset is 7% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $111,720 and a population of 18,246.
Westfield is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $82,847 and a population of 40,673.
Agawam Town is 4% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $82,359 and a population of 28,510.
Pittsfield is 15% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $68,386 and a population of 43,559.
Palmer Town is 13% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,789 and a population of 12,372.
Chicopee is 11% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $66,927 and a population of 55,213.
Leominster is 3% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $81,556 and a population of 43,697.
North Attleborough Town is 16% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $109,426 and a population of 30,842.
Fitchburg is 5% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $70,659 and a population of 41,633.
Attleboro is 13% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $93,266 and a population of 46,499.
West Springfield Town is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $70,401 and a population of 28,635.
Springfield is 14% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $51,339 and a population of 154,751.
Taunton is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $79,715 and a population of 59,719.
Franklin Town is 41% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $142,788 and a population of 33,067.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.