Massachusetts Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 14 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,558/mo
Average Home Value
$587,193
Average Owner Cost
$2,058/mo
County cost atlas
Massachusetts housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
14
Avg rent
$1,558/mo
Owner cost
$2,058/mo
Avg score
6.6
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in Massachusetts: An Overview
The median rent in Massachusetts is $1,558 per month, which is 34% above the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within Massachusetts, housing costs vary significantly by county. Middlesex County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $2,126 per month and a median home value of $687,200. Berkshire County has the lowest reported median rent at $1,042 per month and a median home value of $283,800.
The average home value across Massachusetts counties is $587,193, 108% higher than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $96,546, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
Before comparing places in Massachusetts, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Massachusetts
How median rents are spread across 14 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All Massachusetts Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | Expensive$2,126/mo | $687,200 | $2,480/mo | 0.8 | 28.0% |
| Norfolk County | Expensive$2,072/mo | $649,400 | $2,524/mo | 0.8 | 30.0% |
| Nantucket County | Expensive$2,070/mo | $1,387,000 | $3,203/mo | 0.5 | 28.0% |
| Suffolk County | Expensive$2,069/mo | $680,700 | $2,354/mo | 1.1 | 30.0% |
| Essex County | Expensive$1,673/mo | $584,000 | $2,317/mo | 2.6 | 33.0% |
| Plymouth County | Expensive$1,655/mo | $513,000 | $2,220/mo | 2.8 | 32.0% |
| Barnstable County | Expensive$1,596/mo | $575,900 | $1,717/mo | 5.2 | 34.0% |
| Dukes County | Moderate$1,371/mo | $1,104,100 | $2,379/mo | 5.2 | 31.0% |
| Worcester County | Moderate$1,347/mo | $390,700 | $1,899/mo | 6.8 | 29.0% |
| Hampshire County | Moderate$1,332/mo | $363,400 | $1,640/mo | 8.5 | 31.0% |
| Bristol County | Moderate$1,181/mo | $421,800 | $1,840/mo | 9.9 | 30.0% |
| Franklin County | Moderate$1,169/mo | $303,400 | $1,349/mo | 14.8 | 33.0% |
| Hampden County | Moderate$1,105/mo | $276,300 | $1,525/mo | 14.3 | 31.0% |
| Berkshire County | Moderate$1,042/mo | $283,800 | $1,364/mo | 18.6 | 32.0% |
Compare Massachusetts to Other States
See how Massachusetts counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Massachusetts?
What is the most expensive county to live in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Massachusetts?
Planning a Move?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.