Cost of Living in Massachusetts (MA)
Compare costs across 7 Massachusetts cities. From home services to salaries, see how MA stacks up against the national average.
7
Cities
134
Avg Cost Index
$60K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Massachusetts's average cost index is 134, which is above the national baseline of 100. New Bedford is the most affordable tracked city in MA at index 98, while Martha's Vineyard is the most expensive at index 195.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 97 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Massachusetts Highlights: Most affordable city: New Bedford (index 98). Most expensive: Martha's Vineyard (index 195). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 97 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
134/100
Massachusetts is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
New Bedford
New Bedford has a cost index of 98.
Most expensive
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard has a cost index of 195.
Income average
$60K
Average median household income across 7 tracked MA cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 676K | 152 | $76K | major |
| Worcester | 207K | 112 | $49K | mid |
| Springfield | 156K | 102 | $38K | mid |
| Cambridge | 118K | 168 | $103K | mid |
| Lowell | 116K | 110 | $50K | mid |
| New Bedford | 101K | 98 | $40K | mid |
| Martha's Vineyard | 17K | 195 | $63K | small |
Massachusetts State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Massachusetts.
State Income Tax
5-9%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
6.25%
6.25% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.17%
~$3,510/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Massachusetts uses a progressive income tax at 5-9%. Estate tax applies at the state level. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with New Bedford if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Massachusetts.
- Compare Martha's Vineyard against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.