Advantages & Disadvantages of Moving to Massachusetts
You think about moving to Massachusetts but want to get additional information about living costs, housing, public infrastructure, education, safety, income and much more before making your final decision in this regard?
Great! This article is exactly for you since I will show you the pros and cons of living in Massachusetts in the following chapters.
Living in Massachusetts – Overview
Climate | People in Massachusetts can enjoy warm and sunny summers and pretty cold winters. |
Housing | Property prices and rents are pretty high in the big cities of Massachusetts and housing shortage is a serious problem in many regions. |
Living Costs | Living costs in Massachusetts are pretty high and above national average so people have to make a pretty good income to afford a decent lifestyle in Massachusetts. |
Income | The average household income in Massachusetts is way higher compared to most other regions in the US and you can make really good money in the big cities of Massachusetts as long as you have solid education. |
Crime | Massachusetts is a rather safe state where crime rates are often below national average. |
Education | There are some world-class universities in Massachusetts, including MIT and Harvard so you can get the best education possible for you and your kids if you are really smart people. |
Job Market | Although unemployment rate in Massachusetts is slightly above national average, highly-qualified people still have a rather easy time finding good jobs in this region. |
Culture | Massachusetts is a culturally diverse place where you can meet many interesting people from all over the US and even the world. |
Leisure Activities | While you can get lots of action in the big cities, Massachusetts also has many nice natural habitats and nature reserves where you can go fishing, hiking, camping and do many other nice things in nature. |
Landscape | You will find many nice lakes and forests and you can also spend lots of time at the beach in the Massachusetts region. |
Infrastructure | While public transport and medical infrastructure are pretty good in the big cities of Massachusetts, they still get worse in the rural parts of the state. |
Level of Tolerance | Massachusetts is a pretty tolerant state where people are welcome no matter where they come from and you therefore don’t have to worry about your background at all. |
Nightlife | While you will find decent nightlife in the big cities of Massachusetts, you may get bored with nightlife in the rural regions of Massachusetts rather quickly. |
Total Population | 6.93 million inhabitants. |

Advantages of Living in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is a pretty tolerant state
- Massachusetts is a culturally diverse place
- You can meet many interesting people from all over the world
- People in Massachusetts are usually friendly and outgoing
- You can meet many helpful people in Massachusetts
- Easy to socialize in most parts of Massachusetts
- People in Massachusetts are often honest and real
- You may be able to make many friends for a lifetime
- Moving to Massachusetts may help you grow in character
- You can meet many ambitious people in Massachusetts
- You will find world-class education in Massachusetts
- Income level in Massachusetts is pretty high
- Highly-qualified people have a rather easy time finding decent jobs
- Moving to Massachusetts can expand your horizon
- Easy to build a strong business network in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts may be an interesting place for students
- Decent nightlife in the big cities of Massachusetts
- Solid medical infrastructure in most parts of Massachusetts
- Decent public transport in the big cities of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is located at the coast
- Many nature reserves in Massachusetts
- You can spend lots of time outdoors
- You can exercise in a pretty natural manner
- Decent air quality in many parts of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is a rather safe state
- Massachusetts may be a great place for your kids to grow up
- Traffic is not a big problem in most parts of Massachusetts
- You will find a parking lot rather quickly
- Massachusetts is a rather relaxed state
- Massachusetts has a pretty high reputation
- Many people will envy and admire you for moving to Massachusetts
- Distances in Massachusetts are rather short
- Decent supply of material goods in Massachusetts
- Easy to travel from and to Massachusetts
- Decent future outlook for the state of Massachusetts
- Many recreational spaces in Massachusetts
- Real seasons make your life in Massachusetts more interesting
- Many delicious foods to try in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is a great place for the young and the old
- You can meet many international tourists in the biggest cities of Massachusetts
- Opportunity to make many nice day trips in Massachusetts
- Decent art scenes in the big cities of Massachusetts
- Most people in Massachusetts have a pretty decent internet connection
Massachusetts is a pretty tolerant state
One advantage of living in Massachusetts is that it is a pretty tolerant state where you will be welcome no matter what part of the world you come from and therefore don’t have to worry about your cultural background at all.
Instead, you can spend your time with many great people from all over the planet who will often be welcoming and open to new things.
Massachusetts is a culturally diverse place
Since people in Massachusetts are pretty tolerant, this place also attracts many people from different regions and this makes it a culturally interesting state where you can meet many great people and can also experience many different lifestyles so you can expand your knowledge quite a lot in the long run.
You can meet many interesting people from all over the world
Since you can meet so many different and interesting people from many different states and countries, this also allows you to experience many new things and you may be able to adapt many of those things into your own life so it may become more interesting and exciting and you may also be able to become more tolerant since you will soon realize that the more open you are to new things and people, the more you will get out of life in most cases.
People in Massachusetts are usually friendly and outgoing
Another upside to living in Massachusetts is that you will also be able to meet many friendly and outgoing people and this can be great, especially during your first weeks or months when you may not know many people in this region yet and may need some assistance to become a valued member of society rather quickly.
You can meet many helpful people in Massachusetts
Also in case you are not familiar with your neighborhood or the Massachusetts way of life yet, you will still be able to meet many great people who will be pretty helpful and willing to help you out on various occasions so you will be able to integrate into society rather easily.
Easy to socialize in most parts of Massachusetts
Since there are so many locations where you can hang out and meet new people, it is just a matter of time until you make many new social connections and therefore don’t have to worry about getting socially isolated in this region, at least as long as you are friendly and outgoing and also know how to treat people well.
People in Massachusetts are often honest and real
You should also know that many people in Massachusetts are honest and genuine and even though you may not like this at first since it may reveal unpleasant truth about you, chances are you will soon appreciate this attitude since it may help you grow as a person and you may also be better able to trust those people compared to people who might be more artificial.
You may be able to make many friends for a lifetime
Since you can meet many great guys and gals in this region whom you can really rely on, chances are you will also make some friends for a lifetime and those people will also likely help you push through the darkest times of your life when you may just want to give up and need lots of emotional support to overcome your issues.
Moving to Massachusetts may help you grow in character
Another benefit of living in Massachusetts is that it can also really help you grow in character since you will be able to talk to many new people on a regular basis and through these conversations, you will soon realize how relative the world really is which may make you a more tolerant and open person in the long run.
You can meet many ambitious people in Massachusetts
You should also know that Massachusetts is a state that attracts many smart and ambitious people from all over the world and by talking to those people, you can greatly expand your knowledge and may also be able to see the world with different eyes and getting friends with those people can also help you with your career progress and on various other occasions of life.
You will find world-class education in Massachusetts
Moving to Massachusetts can also make quite a lot of sense in case you are a really smart guy and search for the best education possible.
In fact, you could attend Harvard or MIT and getting a degree from those renowned institutions will open many doors for you.
Income level in Massachusetts is pretty high
Another benefit of moving to Massachusetts is that you can also make really good money from what you are doing.
In fact, income levels are pretty high in this region and as long as you have solid education, chances are you will be able to make more money in Massachusetts compared to people living in Detroit or other regions where median household income and wages are much lower on average.
Highly-qualified people have a rather easy time finding decent jobs
Moving to Massachusetts may also be great for you in case you have really good education and skills urgently needed in the job market right now since in such a case, you will have almost freedom of choice whom you want to work for and can start a fancy career in this region.
Moving to Massachusetts can expand your horizon
Since you can meet so many smart and talented people, you can also surround yourself with those people and will slowly but surely adapt helpful and valuable skills into your own life so you will have a much higher chance to succeed on various occasions and may also be able to expand your horizon and your skillset quite a lot.
Easy to build a strong business network in Massachusetts
Thanks to the many smart and ambitious people you can meet in Massachusetts, you can also build a pretty strong business network since many of those people will aspire to fancy careers and the more influential people you know in the corporate world, the higher your own chance to climb the corporate ladder.
Massachusetts may be an interesting place for students
Since there are many good schools and colleges in Massachusetts, moving to Massachusetts may also make quite a lot of sense for students who want to get the best education possible and also have the mental capacities to achieve solid results at one of those top schools.
Decent nightlife in the big cities of Massachusetts
Another upside to moving to Massachusetts is that there are also many great bars and clubs in the big cities of this state and you will therefore find many opportunities to party until the early morning.
Solid medical infrastructure in most parts of Massachusetts
As long as you have enough money, you will also find really good medical treatment in many urban regions of Massachusetts and can be pretty sure to find an expert who will be able to treat your health condition in a proper manner so you may be able to recover as quickly as possible.
Decent public transport in the big cities of Massachusetts
As long as you move to the biggest cities of Massachusetts, you can also enjoy solid public transport and if you live close to the city center, you may not even need a car to get around since you will find most things you need for daily life pretty close to your home.
Massachusetts is located at the coast
Since Massachusetts has a coastline, you can also go swimming, surfing or just relax at the beach on a regular basis while people moving to Arizona or other non-coastal regions will just not have this luxury.
Many nature reserves in Massachusetts
Another advantage of moving to Massachusetts is that you will also find many nature reserves where you can hang out in quiet atmospheres and recharge your batteries so you can relax and will be prepared for the stressful times that may lie yet ahead of you.
You can spend lots of time outdoors
Due to the many nice things you can do in nature, you can also spend lots of time outdoors and this can help you get into a pretty good mood and lots of oxygen may also help your body and your brain to work in the best possible manner.
You can exercise in a pretty natural manner
Since you can go fishing, hiking and do many other things in nature, you can also burn lots of calories in a completely natural manner and may have an easier time staying in shape compared to people who don’t have the incentive of going outdoors and may rather sit in front of their computer or TV all day long.
Decent air quality in many parts of Massachusetts
You should also be aware of the fact that you will also find pretty decent air quality in many parts of Massachusetts and this can be great in the long run since the better air quality, the less likely you might be to suffer from pulmonary problems or other health conditions in your later life.
Massachusetts is a rather safe state
Compared to many other states in the US, Massachusetts is also a rather safe state where crime rates are rather low and people often feel safer compared to people living in Philadelphia or other regions where crime may be a much bigger problem.
Massachusetts may be a great place for your kids to grow up
Since there are many things to do in nature and Massachusetts is a rather safe state, it may also be a great choice if you have a family and want your kids to grow up in a rather peaceful atmosphere where you can also teach them a lot about nature and why it is important to protect our planet as best as possible.
Traffic is not a big problem in most parts of Massachusetts
While you might get stuck in traffic in the biggest cities of Massachusetts from time to time, traffic jams are still not a big problem in this state yet and while people moving to NYC or other more crowded places may get stuck in traffic jams quite often, you may have a much easier time in most regions of Massachusetts in this regard.
You will find a parking lot rather quickly
You will also find a parking lot in many parts of Massachusetts rather quickly and therefore don’t have to waste lots of time and money on this issue while it might be much harder to find a parking lot for people living in Los Angeles or other more crowded regions.
Massachusetts is a rather relaxed state
Compared to many other places in the US, Massachusetts can also be considered a rather relaxed state where people often take the time to help you out and you can also have many interesting conversations on a daily basis since people will usually take quite a lot of time to get in touch with you.
Massachusetts has a pretty high reputation
You should also know that Massachusetts is a pretty popular state with a solid education and you may therefore be really proud by moving to this place and may also be a role model for your loved ones.
Many people will envy and admire you for moving to Massachusetts
Due to its popularity, many of your family members and friends may also envy and admire you for your plans of moving to Massachusetts and you may therefore get a pretty high social standing among your peers.
Distances in Massachusetts are rather short
You should also know that distances are often pretty short in the urban parts of Massachusetts and this makes it rather easy for you to visit people in other parts of Massachusetts since it will usually not take you lots of time to get there.
Decent supply of material goods in Massachusetts
You also don’t have to worry about running out of important material goods in Massachusetts since overall supply of material goods is pretty decent and you will find most things you need on almost every corner as long as you stay in the big cities of Massachusetts.
Easy to travel from and to Massachusetts
Since there are big international airports in Massachusetts, it is also pretty easy to get to and from this state and Massachusetts may therefore also be an interesting base if you want to travel the world or want to have guests from other parts of the US on a regular basis.
Decent future outlook for the state of Massachusetts
Since income levels are pretty high, crime rates are rather low and many people want to move to Massachusetts, the state will likely have a rather bright future and by moving to Massachusetts right now, you can be pretty sure that overall quality of life will be pretty high for many years to come.
Many recreational spaces in Massachusetts
You will also find many parks and other green spaces in many cities of Massachusetts where you can relax and reload your batteries during lunch break or after work so you can perform in your personal and professional life in the best possible manner.
Real seasons make your life in Massachusetts more interesting
Since you can enjoy warm summers and pretty cold winters, you can also experience real seasons in Massachusetts and may have a more interesting time compared to people moving to Austin or other places where it is often pretty warm all year long and you may not be able to experience snow or do winter sports at all.
Many delicious foods to try in Massachusetts
Thanks to the high level of cultural diversity, you can also try many delicious foods in Massachusetts and this can not only make your life much better but you may also get lots of inspiration when it comes to cooking at home so you may become a much better cook in the long run.
Massachusetts is a great place for the young and the old
Massachusetts is also a pretty great place to live for the young as well as for the old since people of different generations often live together in harmony and even support each other so everyone can benefit from this kind of lifestyle in the long run.
You can meet many international tourists in the biggest cities of Massachusetts
If you move to Boston or other popular cities in Massachusetts, you will also be able to meet many international tourists and by talking to those people, you can make friends with people from many different countries and will be well-connected in the world.
Opportunity to make many nice day trips in Massachusetts
There are also many nice day trips you can make to other cities or nature reserves in Massachusetts and you will therefore have a lot to explore so even in case you may get bored with your life in your hometown, you may still have many other places to experience and explore.
Decent art scenes in the big cities of Massachusetts
As long as you stay in the biggest cities of Massachusetts, you will also be able to meet many artists and this can enrich your life in the sense that you can often learn quite a lot from those creative people and you may also want to hang out with other like-minded people if you are an artist yourself and want to expand your knowledge in this field.
Most people in Massachusetts have a pretty decent internet connection
Most people in Massachusetts also have a pretty decent internet connection and this can be great since it may enable you to work from home and you can also stay in touch with your loved ones in other parts of the US by making video calls and can stay connected to the world in general.
Now that you know the reasons for moving to Massachusetts, I will also show you the drawbacks of living in Massachusetts so you will be better able to decide whether you still want to move to Massachusetts or rather want to move to Iowa or other interesting places instead.

Disadvantages of Living in Massachusetts
- Rents in Massachusetts are pretty high
- Property prices are barely affordable for many people in Massachusetts
- Housing shortage is a serious problem in the big cities of Massachusetts
- Many people may have to leave Massachusetts sooner or later
- Pretty high living costs in Massachusetts
- You need a pretty high income to afford a decent lifestyle in Massachusetts
- High financial pressure for many people living in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts becomes increasingly crowded
- Public transport gets worse in the rural regions of Massachusetts
- Nightlife is not great outside the big cities of Massachusetts
- Winters in Massachusetts may be too cold for many people
- Unemployment rate in Massachusetts is above national average
- Dodgy neighborhoods in the big cities of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is a rather small state
- You may not find many exciting things to do outside the big cities
- You may get bored with your life in Massachusetts in the long run
- Traffic is about to get worse in the big cities of Massachusetts
- Beaches in Massachusetts may become increasingly polluted
- Natural disasters may hit your home in Massachusetts
- Climate change may increase costs of homeowners insurance quite a lot
- Not many really big cities in Massachusetts
- Many people in the rural parts of Massachusetts are still pretty conservative
- You may miss cultural diversity outside of the big cities of Massachusetts
- Limited number of great shopping opportunities in the rural parts of Massachusetts
- Not many great museums in the rural regions of Massachusetts
- Medical infrastructure gets worse in the rural parts of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts may be overrated
Rents in Massachusetts are pretty high
One problem with living in Massachusetts is that rents are pretty high and may continue to increase in the future.
Consequently, the average person has to spend lots of money on housing while people moving to St. Louis or other cheaper regions have to spend far less on housing and may have much more money to spend on other nice and important things.
Property prices are barely affordable for many people in Massachusetts
Not only rents are pretty high in many parts of Massachusetts, but also property prices have skyrocketed in the big cities over the past decade and the average person is often no longer able to afford to buy a home in this region and living the classic American dream becomes increasingly hard.
Housing shortage is a serious problem in the big cities of Massachusetts
You should also know that overall demand for housing in the big cities of Massachusetts is pretty high since many people from all over the US consider moving to Massachusetts and this makes it pretty hard to find a decent place to stay in this region within a reasonable period of time.
Many people may have to leave Massachusetts sooner or later
Since housing costs in Massachusetts have become pretty high, many locals are just no longer able to afford to live in Massachusetts and may have to move to other cheaper regions in the US and in case this happens, this may take away part of the state’s charm and may lower overall quality of life.
Pretty high living costs in Massachusetts
Another downside to living in Massachusetts is that living costs are pretty high and way above national average so you would have to spend lots of money on various things of daily life and may not be able to save and invest enough money for retirement or other important things.
You need a pretty high income to afford a decent lifestyle in Massachusetts
Due to high living costs, you may also have to make pretty good money to afford a nice lifestyle in Massachusetts and people who are not able to make a six-figure income may not be able to afford any luxury and may also get socially isolated sooner or later since they may no longer be able to participate in society anymore.
High financial pressure for many people living in Massachusetts
In general, overall financial pressure for people in Massachusetts is pretty high since everything is so expensive and financial problems may often also turn into emotional issues since people may have to worry about their finances quite a lot.
Massachusetts becomes increasingly crowded
While Massachusetts is not the most crowded state yet, population is about to increase and if this trend continues, you may just no longer have lots of public space for yourself but may rather feel like a fish in a can, especially in the big cities where public space will become a scarce resource.
Public transport gets worse in the rural regions of Massachusetts
Another disadvantage of living in Massachusetts is that public transport is not really great outside the big cities and if you want to live in a rather rural region, you may urgently need a car to get around in an efficient manner and this is quite bad for our environment and also your pocket since you may have to spend lots of money on gas.
Nightlife is not great outside the big cities of Massachusetts
While you will find many nice bars in the big cities of Massachusetts, things often change once you get to the more rural regions and if you can’t afford to live in the big cities, you may not get happy with nightlife in Massachusetts in case you are a party person and want to party until the early morning on a daily basis.
Winters in Massachusetts may be too cold for many people
You should also know that winters can be pretty cold in Massachusetts and if you are the type of person who wants to enjoy warm weather all year long, you may be far better off moving to California or other warmer places.
Unemployment rate in Massachusetts is above national average
You should also not forget that unemployment rate in Massachusetts is above national average and in case you don’t have proper education, you may have a rather hard time finding decent jobs and may also have to worry about losing your job on a regular basis.
Dodgy neighborhoods in the big cities of Massachusetts
Another problem with moving to Massachusetts is that you may also end up in rather dodgy districts.
While Massachusetts is a rather safe state, there are still dodgy neighborhoods in the big cities you want to avoid since you might get into serious trouble otherwise.
Massachusetts is a rather small state
Since Massachusetts is a rather small state, you may also not find as many interesting things to do compared to people moving to Arizona or other bigger regions where there might be much more opportunities.
You may not find many exciting things to do outside the big cities
While you will find lots of entertainment in the big cities of Massachusetts, village life is completely different and if you can’t afford to live in the big cities, you may also not find many exciting things to do anymore.
You may get bored with your life in Massachusetts in the long run
If you are a person who needs adrenaline on a regular basis, you may also get bored in the rural regions of Massachusetts in the long run since there are just not as many exciting things to do as in more urban regions and you may therefore be better off moving to Las Vegas or other more vibrant places.
Traffic is about to get worse in the big cities of Massachusetts
Another downside to moving to Massachusetts is that while traffic jams are not a big problem in most regions yet, they may become a serious issue in major cities since an increasing number of people want to move to the urban parts of Massachusetts and you may have a harder time getting around by car in the future.
Beaches in Massachusetts may become increasingly polluted
You should also know that beaches and other natural environments in Massachusetts become increasingly polluted and this may greatly lower overall quality of life for people living in this region in the long run.
Natural disasters may hit your home in Massachusetts
You should also be aware of the fact that floods, storms or other natural disasters may destroy your home in Massachusetts sooner or later and if you are unlucky, you may not only lose your home but also your life in one of those extreme events.
Climate change may increase costs of homeowners insurance quite a lot
Another disadvantage of moving to Massachusetts is that costs for homeowners insurance are pretty high and due to climate change, those costs may increase even further in the future which may make housing in this region even more expensive.
Not many really big cities in Massachusetts
While you have Boston and some other big cities, the selection of big cities in Massachusetts is still rather limited and you may therefore run out of ideas for city trips rather quickly.
Many people in the rural parts of Massachusetts are still pretty conservative
While most people are pretty open to new ways of life in the urban parts of Massachusetts, people in rural regions are often still pretty conservative and traditional and if you want to live alternative ways of life, you may not feel very welcome in some regions.
You may miss cultural diversity outside of the big cities of Massachusetts
While you can enjoy lots of cultural diversity in the big cities of Massachusetts, you may not find the same cultural variety in the rural parts of Massachusetts and may not meet as many interesting people in those regions.
Limited number of great shopping opportunities in the rural parts of Massachusetts
You should also not expect to find many great shopping opportunities in the rural regions of Massachusetts.
Sure, you will not run out of important goods.
However, you will still often not find fancy boutiques or shopping malls outside the big cities.
Not many great museums in the rural regions of Massachusetts
Also in case you are the type of person who loves to visit museums, you may not get happy in the rural parts of Massachusetts since the selection of great museums would be rather limited.
Medical infrastructure gets worse in the rural parts of Massachusetts
While you will find many decent doctors and medical experts in the biggest cities, you may have a hard time finding those experts in rural regions of Massachusetts and may therefore have to drive long distances to get proper medical treatment in case of emergency.
Massachusetts may be overrated
While Massachusetts has a lot to offer, it is still a pretty expensive place and Massachusetts may therefore be overrated and there may be cheaper places where you can expect similar quality of life.

Top 10 Moving To Massachusetts Pros & Cons – Summary List
Living in Massachusetts Pros | Living in Massachusetts Cons |
---|---|
People in Massachusetts can enjoy the beach | High living costs in Massachusetts |
Massachusetts is a pretty tolerant state | Pretty high rents and property prices |
Excellent education in Massachusetts | Many people are no longer able to live the American dream |
You can experience different lifestyles in Massachusetts | Massachusetts becomes increasingly crowded |
You can meet interesting people from all over the world | Risk of natural disasters is about to increase |
Real seasons make your life in Massachusetts pretty interesting | Increasing costs for homeowners insurance |
High income level in Massachusetts | Beaches become increasingly crowded |
Good jobs for people with solid education | Public transport is not great outside of the big cities |
Massachusetts is a rather safe state | High financial pressure for people living in Massachusetts |
Massachusetts may be a great place for your kids to grow up | Massachusetts may be overrated |
Is Massachusetts A Good Place To Live?
While Massachusetts can be a great place to live since it is a rather safe state where you can make pretty decent money while you can also enjoy beautiful nature and the beach, you should still know that living and housing costs are pretty high and many people are no longer able to afford a decent lifestyle in Massachusetts anymore.
In the end, it is on you to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of moving to Massachusetts so you can make the best possible decision according to your individual preferences.
Most Popular Cities To Live In Massachusetts – Comparison
Living Costs | Property Prices | Income Level | Infrastructure | |
Boston | high | high | high | good |
Worcester | high | moderate | high | decent |
Springfield | high | moderate | high | decent |
Cambridge | high | moderate | high | decent |
Lowell | moderate | moderate | moderate | decent |
Alternative States To Live
If you no longer want to move to Massachusetts, you may also want to have a look at the following articles:
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Connecticut
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Maryland
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Kentucky
Sources
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/MA

About the author
This site is about living, moving and traveling to various parts of our fascinating planet.
My name is Andreas and when I was younger, I traveled the world and learned a lot about different cultures and countries.
Thus, I want to share my experiences with you so that you can benefit from them and avoid common mistakes in this regard.
In my articles, you will find everything you need to find the best location for a happy and successful life.