Cost of Living in Massachusetts
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 248 cities in MA. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Massachusetts is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Massachusetts, with comparisons to national averages.
Massachusetts's average home value of $545,453 is 123% above the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $99,241, and average monthly rent is $1,326.
Most Affordable Cities in Massachusetts
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Adams | $185,300 | $777/mo | $48,521 | 12,660 |
| 2 | Adams | $189,100 | $909/mo | $48,750 | 5,584 |
| 3 | Springfield | $222,700 | $1,114/mo | $51,339 | 154,751 |
| 4 | Athol | $227,000 | $1,018/mo | $61,742 | 8,711 |
| 5 | Ware | $229,700 | $1,046/mo | $52,039 | 5,723 |
| 6 | Pittsfield | $233,700 | $1,094/mo | $68,386 | 43,559 |
| 7 | Chicopee | $251,800 | $1,108/mo | $66,927 | 55,213 |
| 8 | Greenfield | $252,000 | $1,097/mo | $53,961 | 17,662 |
| 9 | Palmer Town | $255,000 | $1,041/mo | $78,789 | 12,372 |
| 10 | Holyoke | $255,300 | $1,016/mo | $51,892 | 37,949 |
| 11 | Southbridge Town | $267,000 | $1,157/mo | $59,397 | 17,806 |
| 12 | Gardner | $271,300 | $1,071/mo | $62,948 | 21,075 |
| 13 | Agawam Town | $290,000 | $1,234/mo | $82,359 | 28,510 |
| 14 | Fitchburg | $295,500 | $1,131/mo | $70,659 | 41,633 |
| 15 | Westfield | $295,500 | $1,064/mo | $82,847 | 40,673 |
Most Expensive Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellesley | $1,513,400 | $2,849/mo | $250,001 | 29,906 |
| 2 | Nantucket | $1,359,200 | $2,484/mo | $109,988 | 10,837 |
| 3 | Brookline | $1,233,100 | $2,804/mo | $140,631 | 62,822 |
| 4 | Hingham | $1,216,800 | $1,066/mo | $222,696 | 5,343 |
| 5 | Newton | $1,202,500 | $2,388/mo | $184,989 | 88,504 |
| 6 | Winchester | $1,181,700 | $2,271/mo | $218,176 | 22,862 |
| 7 | Lexington | $1,147,900 | $2,816/mo | $219,402 | 34,085 |
| 8 | Needham | $1,146,000 | $2,412/mo | $212,241 | 32,059 |
| 9 | Belmont | $1,108,800 | $2,387/mo | $178,188 | 27,009 |
| 10 | Cambridge | $1,040,500 | $2,742/mo | $126,469 | 117,794 |
Highest Income Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellesley | $250,001 | $1,513,400 | 29,906 |
| 2 | Hingham | $222,696 | $1,216,800 | 5,343 |
| 3 | Lexington | $219,402 | $1,147,900 | 34,085 |
| 4 | Winchester | $218,176 | $1,181,700 | 22,862 |
| 5 | Needham | $212,241 | $1,146,000 | 32,059 |
| 6 | Cochituate | $190,938 | $862,000 | 6,688 |
| 7 | Medfield | $186,625 | $734,200 | 6,355 |
| 8 | Newton | $184,989 | $1,202,500 | 88,504 |
| 9 | Sharon | $183,239 | $614,300 | 6,022 |
| 10 | West Concord | $178,979 | $881,800 | 5,997 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Massachusetts
What is the average cost of living in Massachusetts?
The average median home value across Massachusetts cities is $545,453, with average rent of $1,326/month. The average median household income is $99,241.
What are the cheapest cities in Massachusetts?
The most affordable cities in Massachusetts by home value include North Adams ($185,300), Adams ($189,100), Springfield ($222,700).
What is the most expensive city in Massachusetts?
The most expensive city in Massachusetts is Wellesley with a median home value of $1,513,400.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average?
Massachusetts's average home value of $545,453 is above the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $1,326/month is above the US average of $1,163.