Top Cities in Massachusetts

Massachusetts at a Glance

From the historic Mohawk Trail with views of the Berkshires to the Aquinnah Cliffs of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts offers breathtaking natural beauty in addition to the amenities of its big cities. The beaches of the Cape Cod peninsula are one of the top tourist draws in the state, with nearly 600 miles of idyllic shoreline. The state has a storied past, having played a pivotal role in both the colonial era and the American Revolution, and historic sites and museums abound. The Plymouth site is like walking back in time to the 17^th century, with a plantation and home site recreating the life of the early settlers. You can even tour a reproduction of the Mayflower. Salem, synonymous with the witch trials of the late 17^th century, is overflowing with historic homes including the birthplace of native son Nathaniel Hawthorne. Art fans won’t want to miss the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, featuring the world’s largest collection of the iconic artist’s work. And then, of course, there’s Boston, the state capital and its largest city. Set sail on a swan boat in Boston Commons and catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

Top Cities in Massachusetts

• Accord  
• Babson Park  Arlington Heights  
• Boston  
• Brookline Village  
• Cummaquid  
• East Boston  
• East Bridgewater  
• Greenbush  
• Hanscom Afb  
• Hathorne  
• Hyannis Port  
• Milton Village  
• New Town  
• Nonantum

Why You’ll Love Living in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has the third-highest personal income average in the nation. Higher education, technology, and finance are among the state’s most important economic sectors. Among private employers, the healthcare sector is in the lead, holding six of the top 10 spots for biggest employers in the state. Massachusetts’s economy has been steadily on the rise since 2009, and saw more growth within the last couple of years than the national average. Nearly all the state’s employment sectors have spiked within the last year, especially construction and information technology. Consumer confidence is at its highest point in more than 10 years. The median household income for Massachusetts is about $67,000, compared with the national figure of $53,000. With these positive metrics, there is a tradeoff; keep in mind that the overall cost of living in Massachusetts is 30 percent above the national average, and that figure is considerably higher in some cities. In Nantucket, for example, the COL is more than double the US mean.

Home prices throughout the state are rising steadily, with the cost of existing property outpacing that of new construction. Though some analysts fear Boston may be headed for another bubble like the one we saw just before the 2008 recession, others believe that both homeowners and lenders have learned from the past and are taking out mortgages within their means. According to a WFXT report of the 50 most expensive housing markets in Massachusetts, there are six localities with an average home selling price in excess of a million dollars. Weston is the most expensive town in the state, while Boston ranks at number four. At the other end of the spectrum, Springfield and Monroe are among the most affordable Massachusetts communities. The median home price for the state is $336,000, nearly double the national figure.