Massachusetts
High tax burden · COL index 148
Wins 4 categories
Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 102
Wins 9 categories
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9% vs Virginia's 5.75%. Cost of living in Massachusetts (index 148) runs 45% higher than Virginia (index 102). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Massachusetts averages 1.04% annually vs Virginia's 0.74%. The median home in Massachusetts costs $580K vs $390K in Virginia.
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
4
Massachusetts
9
Virginia
Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.
Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Is it better to live in Virginia or Massachusetts?
Overall, the study ranked Massachusetts as the best place to live in the U.S. thanks in part to the state's education and health, (where it ranked first in the country), and their quality of life, (where it ranked sixth).
Are more people moving to or leaving Virginia?
What are the pros and cons of living in Virginia?
What are the pros and cons of living in Massachusetts?