Massachusettsincome tax up to 9%, 19th highest property tax, median home $580K
D+28 · High tax burden · COL index 148
9%
Income Tax
338
Violent Crime / 100K
80
Life Expectancy
$580K
Median Home
$2,400
Childcare / Mo
Massachusetts in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax plus a 4% surtax on income above about $1 million, an estate tax that begins at $2 million, and some of the highest home prices in the country inside Route 128. It does not tax Social Security. Health insurance coverage is the highest of any state, a legacy of the 2006 reform that preceded the federal law.
What Massachusetts taxes, and what it doesn't
Massachusetts levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 9%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 5.0%, about $3,750 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 5.0%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Massachusetts has the 12th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 1.04% of home value a year, roughly $6,032 on the state's median home of $580K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Massachusetts has the 19th highest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.25%, the 17th lowest in the country (the state portion is 6.25%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and an estate tax applies above $2 million.
Capital gains are taxed at a special rate of 5%.
Housing and the cost of living in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's cost of living index is 148, where 100 is the national average; that is the 2nd most expensive of the 50 states.
The median home costs $580K, 91% above the national figure and the 3rd highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $2,400 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,500 a year, flood coverage adds about $900 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,490.
Budget $195 a month for electricity and gas, $680 a month in groceries for two, $2,400 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 338 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); Massachusetts is the 23rd safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 1,283 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 80 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 3.1% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Massachusetts's health system 1st of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 1st in the country.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Massachusetts is a solidly Democratic state that went to Harris by 28 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are may-issue, at the discretion of local authorities, a permit is required to buy a handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws A.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. Massachusetts is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are hurricane, blizzard, nor-easter. Annual average air quality index is 30 (under 50 is good).
Massachusetts has a major hub airport, with about 135 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Massachusetts
State Profile
Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
5% standard + 4% surtax on income over $1M
Property Tax
~$6,032/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Long-term gains at 5%; short-term at 8.5%
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
▾
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Above US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
More restrictive than most states (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
Statewide registration and lodging tax (2019 law); towns may add rules.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
▾
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Below national avg (~2,100)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Among the safest
Registered Sex Offenders
Among the lowest registry rates (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Among the highest homelessness rates; 6% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
More on Massachusetts
Healthcare#1 of 50▾
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Top tier
Life Expectancy
Above national avg (76.4)
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Well below national avg
EducationK-12 #1 of 50▾
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
Top 10 nationally
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare$2,400/mo infant care▾
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Very expensive (national avg ~$1,200)
Utilities & Daily Costs$195/mo energy▾
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Near US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Well above national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel135+ nonstop routes▾
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle92% urban▾
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Highly urban, big city feel
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
3.8/100K residents: Solid scene
Craft Distilleries
Strong spirits scene
Live Music
Boston music heritage (Aerosmith, Pixies, Dropkick Murphys); Boston Calling; Tremont Street Crawl
Transportation$1,490/yr car insurance▾
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal$15/hr minimum wage▾
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
Legal to viability; strong state law
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor. Sports betting launched 2023. Very active lottery (one of highest per-capita revenues).
Age of Consent
Sex Education
No state sex ed mandate
Medically Accurate Required
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Sandy Terraces (Hanson) · Berkshire Vista (Hancock)
Environment & ClimateAQI 30▾
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun LawsD+28 · gun law grade A▾
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
No state statute on alcohol venues or churches; posting governs.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy3.7% unemployment▾
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1.4% job growth · 3.7% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Top tech job market nationally
Healthcare Jobs
Top healthcare job market
Remote Work
High remote work culture
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Above-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate#34 of 50▾
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
High corporate rate. Plan entity structure carefully
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Daily Life$3.34/gal gas▾
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Near avg (+0.04 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
All consumer fireworks banned statewide — sparklers included
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks82°F avg July▾
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 36°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards27/100 danger▾
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits76/100 veteran-friendly▾
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
4.8% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Massachusetts counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare, ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Massachusetts
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance: all estimated.
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Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.