Massachusetts moving guide

Where should I move in Massachusetts?

We ranked 69 Massachusetts cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Franklin Town

   Home $567,100 · Rent $1,856 · Income $142,788 · Unemployment 5.1%
   82/100
2. 2

   Reading

   Home $741,100 · Rent $1,722 · Income $163,725 · Unemployment 3.0%
   82/100
3. 3

   Burlington

   Home $679,400 · Rent $2,597 · Income $142,207 · Unemployment 3.6%
   78/100
4. 4

   Wakefield

   Home $670,100 · Rent $1,872 · Income $130,320 · Unemployment 4.5%
   74/100
5. 5

   Milton

   Home $896,500 · Rent $1,503 · Income $178,053 · Unemployment 3.7%
   71/100
6. 6

   Barnstable Town

   Home $559,200 · Rent $1,751 · Income $97,348 · Unemployment 3.3%
   67/100
7. 7

   Marblehead

   Home $906,200 · Rent $1,769 · Income $165,859 · Unemployment 1.9%
   67/100
8. 8

   Needham

   Home $1,146,000 · Rent $2,412 · Income $212,241 · Unemployment 4.5%
   67/100
9. 9

   North Attleborough Town

   Home $462,700 · Rent $1,402 · Income $109,426 · Unemployment 5.8%
   67/100
10. 10

    Winchester

    Home $1,181,700 · Rent $2,271 · Income $218,176 · Unemployment 3.0%
    67/100
11. 11

    Wellesley

    Home $1,513,400 · Rent $2,849 · Income $250,001 · Unemployment 3.4%
    66/100
12. 12

    Weymouth Town

    Home $516,200 · Rent $1,861 · Income $100,077 · Unemployment 4.9%
    66/100
13. 13

    Arlington

    Home $885,000 · Rent $2,043 · Income $141,440 · Unemployment 3.2%
    65/100
14. 14

    Northampton

    Home $398,000 · Rent $1,404 · Income $78,467 · Unemployment 5.3%
    65/100
15. 15

    Wilmington

    Home $646,200 · Rent $2,412 · Income $161,473 · Unemployment 5.1%
    65/100

Statewide, Massachusetts recorded 1,337 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #42 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Massachusetts to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.