With a lifestyle blending cosmopolitan fun and the great outdoors, you can’t beat Massachusetts. Its vibrant food scene celebrates local seafood, there are teams in all the major sporting competitions, and its fascinating museums and historic sites honor Massachusetts’ past. Trails and beaches encourage residents to get outdoors. If you’re considering moving to Massachusetts, make one of these excellent cities your home.
1. Worcester
- Population change: A
- Median rent: C
- Points of interest: B
- Education: B
- Healthcare: B
Worcester is in the heart of Massachusetts, less than an hour from Boston and Springfield. While it’s not coastal, it has celebrated seafood restaurants, including the Sole Proprietor and Red Crab Juicy Seafood. If you prefer eating in, grab some delicious fresh produce from the farmers market. Other attractions include The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory, the EcoTarium, and Lake Quinsigamond. Budget around $1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment in Worcester.
2. Lynn
- Population change: B
- Median rent: D
- Points of interest: B
- Education: A
- Healthcare: A
Lynn is becoming a hotspot for young families attracted to coastal living. They love the city’s A-grade health and education systems and the beaches and parks of the Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation. There’s also plenty of family-friendly entertainment at the Lynn Auditorium. Local restaurants like the Blue Ox, Andy’s Breakfast & Lunch, and Estefani’s Restaurant have special kids’ menus for fussy diners. Living here isn’t cheap though, with a typical one-bedroom apartment costing $1,750 and a two-bedroom apartment costing $2,450.
3. Boston
- Population change: F
- Median rent: F
- Points of interest: A
- Education: A
- Healthcare: A
Boston is the ideal home if you can afford the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment of $3,025. While the cost of living stings, there’s also a lot to like. It’s home to leading educational institutions, including Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Emerson College. Their presence gives Boston a highly educated population and youthful energy. The New England Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox are all local teams, so sports fans have lots to cheer for. Walkable streets help you access Boston’s museums, boutiques, and acclaimed restaurants, including Woods Hill Pier 4 and Sarma.
4. Springfield
- Population change: D
- Median rent: A
- Points of interest: C
- Education: C
- Healthcare: C
For more affordable living, consider Springfield. Its median rent of $1,320 for a one-bedroom apartment is much more reasonable than in Boston, 90 minutes away. The low rents attract millennials and retirees. Local retail hubs like Five Town Plaza and Eastfield Mall will help you get everything you need to make your new place a home. Springfield also has Forest Park, a 735-acre green space that’s one of the country’s largest city parks.
5. Fall River
- Population change: C
- Median rent: B
- Points of interest: D
- Education: C
- Healthcare: D
Fall River, located in southeastern Massachusetts, offers reasonable rents for a coastal city. Expect to pay $1,350 for a one-bedroom apartment in Fall River, named for the large waterfall in the middle of the city. Fall River has a dense suburban feel, with features families look for like good schools, parks, and coffee shops. It also has the country’s highest percentage of Portuguese residents. Their influence is apparent in popular local eateries, including Caldeiras Restaurant, Caravela Restaurant, and Sagres Restaurant.
6. New Bedford
- Population change: C
- Median rent: A
- Points of interest: F
- Education: D
- Healthcare: F
While New Bedford rents are increasing in line with its population growth, they’re still some of Massachusetts’ most affordable, with a one-bedroom apartment typically costing $1,310. That makes it more affordable than Fall River, 12 miles west, and Boston, 51 miles north. Local attractions like New Bedford Whaling Museum and New Bedford Whaling Historical Park recall its whaling past. The city also has a zoo, hiking trails, and exciting nightspots. Sip handcrafted cocktails at Cultivator Shoals, see a drag show at Panthers Athletic & Social Club, or dance until the early hours at Le Place.
7. Brockton
- Population change: A
- Median rent: B
- Points of interest: F
- Education: F
- Healthcare: D
Brockton has one of Massachusetts’ fastest-growing populations, but the rent hasn’t exploded yet. Expect to pay around $1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment in this southeast Massachusetts boomtown. Named the best community for young people four times by America’s Promise Alliance, the city nurtures youth and helps them achieve their potential. They can participate in classes at Fuller Craft Museum, cheer on the Brockton Rox at Campanelli Stadium, and stay active at Westgate Lanes and Asiaf Arena. Kid-friendly restaurants include Alexander’s Family Restaurant, Tinrays Family Restaurant, and George’s Restaurant.
8. Cambridge
- Population change: F
- Median rent: F
- Points of interest: A
- Education: B
- Healthcare: B
Known as the Intellectual Capital of the World, Cambridge is home to Harvard University and MIT. Most parts of Cambridge are less than five minutes from Boston, so commuting is easy. You needn’t leave Cambridge though, as it has its own A-grade points of interest. If you love learning, like much of the population, check out the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, and Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters. Like nearby Boston, Cambridge rents are expensive, with a median price of $3,120 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Methodology
1-bedroom median rent price – Zumper.com
Population change – American Community Survey 2021 and 2019
Stores, schools, entertainment, restaurant, transportation – OpenStreetMap
To determine the best places to live in Massachusetts we analyzed data on seven key metrics, including median 1-bedroom rent prices, population change, and the quantity of stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants. 1-bedroom rent prices accounted for 30 percent of the weighted grade. Population change accounted for 20 percent. Stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants accounted for ten percent each.
Full data
| City | Overall rank | Population change y/y | 1-bedroom rent price | Stores | Schools | Healthcare | Entertainment | Restaurants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 1 | A | C | B | B | B | B | B |
| Lynn, MA | 2 | B | D | B | A | A | B | B |
| Boston, MA | 3 | F | F | A | A | A | A | A |
| Springfield, MA | 4 | D | A | C | C | C | C | F |
| Fall River, MA | 5 | C | B | F | C | D | D | C |
| New Bedford, MA | 6 | C | A | D | D | F | F | F |
| Brockton, MA | 7 | A | B | D | F | D | F | D |
| Cambridge, MA | 8 | F | F | A | B | B | A | A |
Frequently asked questions about living in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ temperature climate experiences all four seasons throughout the year. Summers are delightful, with sunny days, breezy nights, and highs in the low 80s during July. Winters can take some getting used to, with icy lows in the mid-teens.
Massachusetts’ strong and diverse economy was ranked the fourth best in the country by WalletHub. Its large information technology industry, growing biotech industry, and Boston’s booming robotic sector saw it named the state with the most potential for innovation. Traditional agriculture, fishing, and trading industries remain vital. Massachusetts’ unemployment rate of 3.4% is less than the national average of 3.7%.
Massachusetts’ cost of living index is 127.5, so it’s a bit more expensive than the national average. Groceries and transport are only slightly more expensive, but housing is much pricier. Thankfully, healthcare is usually more affordable.
Final thoughts
Don’t let Massachusetts’ high living costs deter you from relocating to the Bay State. Compare apartment listings in your shortlisted cities and try negotiating with property owners to find a great deal in New England.
Related content
