Massachusetts vs Iowa: taxes, cost of living, laws

Massachusetts

High tax burden · COL index 148

Wins 8 categories

Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 8 categories

Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9% vs Iowa's 3.8%. Cost of living in Massachusetts (index 148) runs 68% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs Massachusetts's 1.04%. The median home in Massachusetts costs $580K vs $215K in Iowa.

Massachusetts

Iowa

Taxes

Income Tax (top rate)

3.8%

1.04%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.42%/yr

6.25%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.94%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

148

COL Index (100=avg)

$580K

Median Home Price

$215K

$2,400/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,050/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

338

Violent Crime / 100K

284

1,283

Property Crime / 100K

1,626

Sex Offenders / 100K

213

411

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#1 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#21 of 50

80 yrs

Life Expectancy

78 yrs

3.1%

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#1 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#15 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$2,400/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,100/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$195/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$135/mo

$680/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$440/mo

#42 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#8 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+28.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Massachusetts

Iowa

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