Massachusetts
For Americans thinking of retiring to Massachusetts from another state, or comparing it with a move abroad. Prices in Massachusetts run at 105.8 against a US average of 100, with housing at 128.1. We cover Massachusetts's 14 counties on the map below, each with a page of its own, and no town in depth yet.
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5), 2024-12-31
Massachusetts is not compared with a town — compare two towns instead. Why?
Massachusetts, a state of the United States, is not the same kind of thing as a town: it spans many counties and very different places. Putting a state-wide average beside one town's own figures produces a number that looks like an answer and describes nothing a person would experience — so the engine refuses that pairing rather than rendering it thinly. A town against another town, here or abroad, is like-for-like. Build a comparison →
Research in progress. Our quality assessment of the official sources for the United States is not finished yet. Every figure published here is sourced and dated.
Massachusetts's 14 counties
Every county in Massachusetts on its own figures, against every US county that has the same figure. Pick a county on the map or in the list.
- Lowest fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Highest fifth (darker = a larger share 65+)
- No figure
- At least one hospital rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- None in the county
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = cheaper)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = more)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
Outlines: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary files (2024). A fifth is among every US county holding the figure, so a color means the same thing in every state.
All 14 counties, with their figures
-
Barnstable County
233,539 residents, 85,085 aged 65 or older (36.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.4 Cheaper than 12 % of the other 3,142 US counties Barnstable Town, MA metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $4,099 Lower than 31 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.8 per 100,000 a year Lower than 97 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.11 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 68 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $7,726 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest place: Barnstable Town (Census, 1 July 2024).
Barnstable County page → -
Berkshire County
128,224 residents, 35,528 aged 65 or older (27.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 95.1 Cheaper than 22 % of the other 3,142 US counties Pittsfield, MA metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,365 Lower than 6 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Berkshire County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.54 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 36 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $8,782 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Pittsfield, North Adams (Census, 1 July 2024).
Berkshire County page → -
Bristol County
593,640 residents, 118,614 aged 65 or older (20.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 101.8 Cheaper than 7 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,469 Lower than 11 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 2.6 per 100,000 a year Lower than 92 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.77 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 93 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,406 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Bristol County page → -
Dukes County
21,219 residents, 6,583 aged 65 or older (31.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.6 Cheaper than 11 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Massachusetts nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,490 Lower than 43 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Dukes County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.91 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 85 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Dukes County page → -
Essex County
826,653 residents, 170,809 aged 65 or older (20.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 108.3 Cheaper than 2 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,375 Lower than 12 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 2.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 96 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.04 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 75 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,526 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Lynn, Lawrence, Haverhill (Census, 1 July 2024).
Essex County page → -
Franklin County
70,698 residents, 19,596 aged 65 or older (27.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.6 Cheaper than 11 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Massachusetts nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,761 Lower than 4 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Franklin County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.27 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 54 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,598 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest place: Greenfield (Census, 1 July 2024).
Franklin County page → -
Hampden County
464,338 residents, 94,794 aged 65 or older (20.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.1 Cheaper than 20 % of the other 3,142 US counties Springfield, MA metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,958 Lower than 4 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 6.7 per 100,000 a year Lower than 56 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.15 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 64 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,490 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Springfield, Chicopee, Westfield (Census, 1 July 2024).
Hampden County page → -
Hampshire County
164,065 residents, 36,302 aged 65 or older (22.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.2 Cheaper than 8 % of the other 3,142 US counties Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,752 Lower than 4 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Hampshire County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.99 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 79 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,790 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Amherst Town, Northampton, Easthampton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Hampshire County page → -
Middlesex County
1,669,979 residents, 300,959 aged 65 or older (18.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 108.3 Cheaper than 2 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,347 Lower than 12 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 4 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.1 per 100,000 a year Lower than 100 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.84 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 90 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,526 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Cambridge, Lowell, Newton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Middlesex County page → -
Nantucket County
14,758 residents, 2,709 aged 65 or older (18.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.6 Cheaper than 11 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Massachusetts nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,613 Lower than 64 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Nantucket County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.18 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 6 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,310 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Nantucket County page → -
Norfolk County
739,749 residents, 147,797 aged 65 or older (20.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 108.3 Cheaper than 2 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,456 Lower than 11 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 99 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.81 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 92 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,598 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Quincy, Weymouth Town, Braintree Town (Census, 1 July 2024).
Norfolk County page → -
Plymouth County
546,829 residents, 121,646 aged 65 or older (22.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 108.3 Cheaper than 2 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,833 Lower than 8 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 2.7 per 100,000 a year Lower than 91 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.89 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 86 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,598 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Brockton, Bridgewater Town (Census, 1 July 2024).
Plymouth County page → -
Suffolk County
791,891 residents, 112,651 aged 65 or older (14.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 108.3 Cheaper than 2 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $4,045 Lower than 32 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 5 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 5.1 per 100,000 a year Lower than 71 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.67 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 97 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $6,526 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Boston, Revere, Chelsea (Census, 1 July 2024).
Suffolk County page → -
Worcester County
888,502 residents, 168,720 aged 65 or older (19.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 102.5 Cheaper than 6 % of the other 3,142 US counties Worcester, MA metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,232 Lower than 6 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.9 per 100,000 a year Lower than 97 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.87 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 87 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Worcester, Leominster, Fitchburg (Census, 1 July 2024).
Worcester County page →
Sources: US Census Bureau, county population estimates by age, 1 July 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, all items, of each county's metropolitan area or its state's nonmetropolitan portion; The state's published 2025 income-tax rules, the county's own local income tax where one is levied, and the county's Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household; CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026; CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by county of residence; CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al.; FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB); CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Where Massachusetts stands, on the six criteria
Massachusetts's six figures are the ones that set its place on the state ranking, where it sits in Tier 4 of 16. Each is measured for the whole of Massachusetts, not for any single place within it.
| Criterion | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Cost of living BEA price level, all items (US = 100); lower is better |
105.8 Cheaper than 12% of the other 50 · housing 128.1 · goods 98.8 · utilities 152.1 · other services 102.9
BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5) · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-08-28
|
| Taxes on a retired couple state and local tax on the example retired couple, USD a year; lower is better |
USD $5,471 (90% margin USD $5,453–$5,489) Lower than 12% of the other 50
Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household · figure for 2025
|
| Healthcare access share of residents 65+ living in a county with a 4- or 5-star CMS hospital; higher is better |
96 % of residents 65+ Higher than 98% of the other 50
CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2026 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Safety homicides per 100,000 a year, 2020–2024, by state of residence; lower is better |
2.4 per 100,000 a year (95% interval 2.3–2.6) Lower than 94% of the other 50
CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Climate months a year whose mean daily high is 18–29 °C (64–84 °F), 1981–2010; more is better |
4.7 months a year More than 38% of the other 50
CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2010 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Natural-hazard risk expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, per USD $1,000 of buildings; lower is better |
USD $0.91 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 84% of the other 50
FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB) · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-10-27
|
Medicare in Massachusetts
For the published example couple, both 67 and married: what Medicare premiums cost a year for two in Massachusetts, and the most a bad year can cost. What care itself costs depends on a person's health, so it is not estimated here.
Medicare Advantage, with drug coverage
USD $6,526 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,870)
At most USD $19,526 in a bad year (from USD $16,870), with each person's in-network out-of-pocket maximum
The middle of the 27 plans offered here; "from" is the lowest premium among them.
Original Medicare, with a drug plan
USD $7,624 a year for two in premiums (from USD $5,189)
Medigap: no federal price list — not in this total.
No yearly maximum on Original Medicare alone.
Part B for two, plus the middle of the 10 standalone drug plans offered in the state.
The middle of Massachusetts's 14 counties, weighted by residents 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025).
The 2027 Part B premium is not yet published (CMS usually publishes it in November); 2026's is used.
Source: CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Massachusetts's Medigap enrollment rule is not yet confirmed from Massachusetts's own insurance department.
Free, official Medicare counseling in Massachusetts: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE), 1-800-243-4636 (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Retiring to Massachusetts: pros and cons, by the figures
Retiring to Massachusetts, judged on the six figures above: a pro is a figure in the top fifth of the states, a con one in the bottom fifth. Figures in between get no verdict.
Pros
- Healthcare access: higher than 98% of the other 50 (96 % of residents 65+). CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
- Safety: lower than 94% of the other 50 (2.4 per 100,000 a year). CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence
- Natural-hazard risk: lower than 84% of the other 50 (USD $0.91 per USD $1,000 of buildings). FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB)
Cons
- Cost of living: dearer than 88% of the other 50 (105.8). BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5)
- Taxes on a retired couple: higher than 88% of the other 50 (USD $5,471). Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household
Also shown, not scored
Massachusetts's other state-wide figures: shown for context, not part of its tier. Measured for the whole of Massachusetts — not for any single place within it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
|
Population
Total resident population, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredTotal resident population, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. Bigger is not better — this axis exists for context, never for ranking. |
7,154,084 people |
|
Population 65 plus
Residents aged 65 or older, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredResident population aged 65 or older, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. |
1,421,793 people |
|
Social security beneficiary share
Everyone receiving Social Security — retired, disabled, survivors and dependants — as a share of the population, 2025.
How this is measuredAll OASDI beneficiaries — retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependants — as a percentage of the total resident population. SSA Table 1 (2025), population as of 1 July 2025. Not the same measure as the county-level retired-worker share. |
19.7 percent |
Source for every figure: SSA Table 1 (2025) · Census population as of 1 July 2025 · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-08-28 Official source
Taxes on a retired couple in Massachusetts
We apply Massachusetts's published rules for tax year 2025 to one example household and show the sum, line by line. These are rules already in force for 2025, not a projection.
The example household
| Filing status | married filing jointly, both aged 67 |
|---|---|
| Social Security | USD $45,000 a year, combined |
| Private pension | USD $25,000 a year |
| IRA or 401(k) withdrawal | USD $20,000 a year |
| Home, for property tax | USD $350,000 |
An illustrative household, the same for every state so states can be compared. Each spouse holds half of each income. Your own figures will differ.
Massachusetts's rules applied
Federal income tax is left out: it is the same in every state, so it cannot separate them. Sales tax is left out too: it depends on what a household buys, and no state publishes an average of its local rates. The rate is listed below.
The rules behind the sum
- Top income-tax rate: 5 % Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2025 Form 1 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Social Security is not Massachusetts gross income: 100 % of it Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2025 Form 1 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Personal exemption, married filing jointly: USD $8,800 Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2025 Form 1 Instructions, Line 2a · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Additional exemption, age 65 or over: USD $700 per person, from age 65 Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2025 Form 1 Instructions, Line 2c · checked Oct 26, 2026
- State sales and use tax 6.25 %: 6.25 % Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2025 Form 1 Instructions, Line 34 use tax worksheet · checked Oct 26, 2026
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