Massachusetts Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 14 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,616/mo
Average Home Value
$634,257
Average Owner Cost
$2,087/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
$1,616/mo
Owner cost
$2,087/mo
Avg score
6.8
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 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 unweighted mean of county median rents in Massachusetts is $1,616 per month, which is 14% above the national ACS median of $1,413. This gives every county equal weight and is not an official statewide median.
Within Massachusetts, housing costs vary significantly by county. Nantucket County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $2,213 per month and a median home value of $1,593,800. Berkshire County has the lowest reported median rent at $1,097 per month and a median home value of $305,400.
The unweighted mean of county median home values in Massachusetts is $634,257, 91% higher than the national ACS median of $332,700. The unweighted mean of county median household incomes is $101,772; neither figure is a household-weighted statewide estimate.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket County | Over $1,500$2,213/mo | $1,593,800 | $3,014/mo | 0.3 | 31.7% |
| Middlesex County | Over $1,500$2,201/mo | $727,800 | $2,520/mo | 0.8 | 28.8% |
| Norfolk County | Over $1,500$2,149/mo | $683,900 | $2,558/mo | 0.9 | 30.7% |
| Suffolk County | Over $1,500$2,129/mo | $705,800 | $2,425/mo | 1.1 | 31.0% |
| Essex County | Over $1,500$1,756/mo | $619,100 | $2,365/mo | 2.5 | 33.3% |
| Plymouth County | Over $1,500$1,747/mo | $556,000 | $2,280/mo | 2.7 | 32.5% |
| Barnstable County | Over $1,500$1,678/mo | $629,000 | $1,719/mo | 5.4 | 34.4% |
| Worcester County | $1,000–$1,500$1,426/mo | $423,700 | $1,932/mo | 6.6 | 30.3% |
| Hampshire County | $1,000–$1,500$1,388/mo | $390,300 | $1,648/mo | 8.9 | 32.7% |
| Dukes County | $1,000–$1,500$1,277/mo | $1,165,800 | $2,528/mo | 7.6 | 28.9% |
| Bristol County | $1,000–$1,500$1,245/mo | $451,200 | $1,891/mo | 9.8 | 31.1% |
| Franklin County | $1,000–$1,500$1,177/mo | $329,000 | $1,377/mo | 15.9 | 34.2% |
| Hampden County | $1,000–$1,500$1,136/mo | $298,800 | $1,569/mo | 14.7 | 32.1% |
| Berkshire County | $1,000–$1,500$1,097/mo | $305,400 | $1,396/mo | 18.1 | 31.9% |
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
Which Massachusetts county has the lowest median rent?
Which Massachusetts county has the highest median rent?
How does Massachusetts's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the unweighted county-mean home value in Massachusetts?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.