So, you’re curious about living in Massachusetts? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Massachusetts.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Massachusetts matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Massachusetts is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Massachusetts
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Massachusetts is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Massachusetts:
- It is an ethnically diverse state, so you can find people from all walks of life here.
- Massachusetts’ weather may not be the best in the country during the wintertime, but it does get better as we transition into spring and summer months!
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Massachusetts:
- The high cost of housing (especially if you plan on buying) – although it is said that housing prices will level off soon enough once more young families move into certain suburbs outside Boston because salaries for college graduates have increased over the years.
- Traffic jams along major highways at rush hour.
Read More: Is Massachusetts a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Massachusetts
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Massachusetts? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Massachusetts!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Massachusetts.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Massachusetts:
- Boston
- Brookline
- Cambridge
- Winchester
- Worcester
Read More: Best Places to Live in Massachusetts
Checklist for Moving to Massachusetts
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Massachusetts. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Massachusetts.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Massachusetts:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Massachusetts driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Massachusetts
- Getting Massachusetts car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Massachusetts and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Massachusetts.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Massachusetts and your previous home state.
Visit your Massachusetts Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Massachusetts Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Massachusetts.
Things to Know About Living in Massachusetts
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Massachusetts, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Massachusetts
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Massachusetts ranks 47th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 133.2, meaning it’s a relatively more expensive place to live.
Here is how Massachusetts scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 117
- Housing: 179.2
- Utilities: 110.8
- Transportation: 112.2
- Health: 121.9
- Miscellaneous: 116.1
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Massachusetts
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Massachusetts from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Massachusetts’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6.25%.
Check with the Massachusetts tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Massachusetts
If you own or plan to own real estate in Massachusetts, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Massachusetts ranks 34th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.23%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Massachusetts tax office for the most current tax rates.
Massachusetts’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Massachusetts is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Massachusetts ranks 12th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Professional and business services
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Finance and insurance
- Manufacturing
- Information
- Wholesale trade
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Retail trade
- Construction
The top employer in Massachusetts is Partners Healthcare.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Massachusetts
Our Massachusetts moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Massachusetts is The Freedom Trail.
Facts about Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the 6th state of the United States that lies in the northeast region. To its north is Vermont and New Hampshire, to its south is Connecticut and Rhode Island, to its east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to its west is New York.
What is the capital of Massachusetts?
The capital of Massachusetts is Boston.
Boston is located in Suffolk County with a population of 694,583.
What is the population of Massachusetts?
The population of Massachusetts based on 2020 US Census data is 7,029,917.
What is the largest city in Massachusetts?
The largest city in Massachusetts is Boston.
What is the size of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 10,554 square miles, making it the 44th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Massachusetts?
The state motto of Massachusetts is: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
What is the state bird of Massachusetts?
The state bird of Massachusetts is the Black-capped chickadee.
What is the state flower of Massachusetts?
The state flower of Massachusetts is the Mayflower.
What is the state tree of Massachusetts?
The state tree of Massachusetts is the American Elm.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Massachusetts?
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $13.50 per hour.
What is the median income in Massachusetts?
The median annual household salary in Massachusetts is $79,835.