Moving to Massachusetts statistics (2025 data)

How many people move to Massachusetts?

Approximately 145,021 people moved to Massachusetts in 2023, while 184,534 moved out. This represents a net loss of 39,513 residents. This trend of losing a significant number of residents to out-migration can also be seen in neighboring New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Though Massachusetts’ population has increased slightly within the past decade due to international migration, it’s not among the most popular states for domestic migrants. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Massachusetts ranked as the 45th most desired state to relocate to.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Massachusetts

Despite Massachusetts’ high economy, safety and education scores, determined by carefully analyzed data denoting it as the fifth best U.S. state to move to in 2024, the region has lost many residents to out-migration. In part, the state’s low affordability and quality of life ranking have prevented the same popularity seen in states like Texas and Florida.

Of those moving to the Bay State, the majority are relocating to Boston suburbs and a few smaller Western cities. Weymouth and Everett — suburbs of Boston — attracted the most new residents, adding 1,672 and 1,243 residents, respectively, between 2020 and 2023. Both locations also saw respective growth rates of 2.5% or more.

Of the more Western move-in destinations, Worcester is the most populous. Worcester added 1,102 residents between 2020 and 2023, while Amherst experienced the highest population growth rate, increasing by 2.6% over the same period.

The top five regions in Massachusetts people moved to between 2020 and 2023 were as follows:

Why do people move to Massachusetts?

The primary reason people move to Massachusetts is the job market, as there is a wide range of high-paying jobs available in the state. The average income in the state is $96,898, or 28.6% higher than the U.S. average of $75,358.

The largest industries in the state are education and health services, professional and business services, and trade, transportation, and utilities. Collectively, these industries employ nearly 55% of nonfarm workers. The fastest growing industry in the state is mining, logging and construction, growing by 2.7% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Massachusetts housing statistics

With a median rent price of roughly $2,271 and a median home sale price of $624,200, Massachusetts renters and homeowners can expect to pay nearly 50% more than the national median for housing.

However, the Bay State’s property taxes are also lower than any of the other states surrounding it. Despite having the 18th highest property taxes in the country, at 1.14%, the property taxes of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut are all higher.

In 2021, the average property owner in Norfolk County — where Weymouth is located — paid $6,431 in annual property taxes. In general, the average property tax paid in Massachusetts is higher than average but varies greatly by county. Residents in Middlesex County paid an average of $6,582 annually in 2021, while those in Nantucket County paid less than half that at an average of $3,210.

Cost-of-living statistics in Massachusetts

With a cost-of-living index of 148.4, Massachusetts has the second highest cost of living in the nation — behind only Hawaii. However, this number is largely skewed by the Boston metro area. For instance, the cost of living in Berkshire County — the state’s Westernmost county — is much closer to the national average.

In line with Massachusetts' cost of living, the state also has higher-than-average gas prices. The average cost per gallon in the state is $3.46, compared to the U.S. average of $3.26. In part, this can be attributed to impressive renewable energy investment, ranking Massachusetts as the seventh most green state in the nation.

Partially making up for the high cost of living, the Bay State’s median household income of $96,898 is one of the highest in the nation and 28.6% higher than the U.S. median of $75,358. The unemployment rate of 3.2% is also an entire percentage point less than the national unemployment rate.

Overall, Massachusetts’ high cost of living is attributed to high housing costs and incomes combined with desirability. To meet demand by 2030, the state currently faces a massive 200,000-home shortage. This lack of housing drives prices up — and many residents and prospective movers away.

Who lives in Massachusetts?

An estimated 7,001,399 people live in Massachusetts as of 2023, making it the 16th largest state in terms of population. This represents a population increase of 18,659 compared to 2022. Despite a lack of domestic migrants, the population was able to increase due to international migration.

The Bay State’s population is skewed female, with women accounting for 51.1% of the population and men accounting for 48.9%. In 2023, around 3.6 million Massachusetts residents were female, and 3.4 million were male.

On average, Massachusetts’ population is also older (40.3 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. Those between 25 to 44 years old are the largest age demographic, accounting for 26.9% of the population, or 1.9 million people. The population of those between 45 to 64 years old is also nearly as large, at 26.8% of residents.

White Americans account for the largest share of Massachusetts residents, approximating 79% of the population (roughly 5.5 million people). The Bay State also has moderately-sized Hispanic, Black and Asian populations, accounting for 13.5%, 9.6% and 7.9% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Massachusetts

Not sure how to start your move to Massachusetts? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Prepare for the cost of living

Preparing for Massachusetts’ cost of living, which is the second highest in the country, is something to consider before making the move. Affordability can be a major concern in Eastern Massachusetts, particularly around Boston. Conversely, cities in the more rural, Western portion of the state offer much lower housing prices and overall expenses. Utilize resources on Mass.gov to research housing prices, property taxes and utility costs in your desired area.

2. Understand insurance requirements

Massachusetts is one of the few states in the U.S. that mandates health and auto insurance for residents. Annual inspections on registered vehicles are also required. Failure to comply with these laws may result in fines and other penalties, so it’s important to acquire insurance and perform state inspections before or shortly after you move. You can review health plan options on the Massachusetts Health Connector.

3. Learn about the job market

Ranked highly for its economy, Massachusetts offers high-paying job opportunities in the health care, education and technology industries. The median household income of $96,898 is one of the highest in the nation and 28.6% higher than the national average, making it somewhat easy to find quality jobs. Explore the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development website for job seeking tools and local employment opportunities.

4. Research transportation options

Massachusetts offers extensive public transit options in its more urban areas. The Greater Boston area is serviced by subways, buses and commuter trains, while smaller towns like Amherst also offer flexible bus schedules. In more rural, Western portions of the state, a personal vehicle may be necessary. Visit the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website for transit resources and commuter programs.

5. Expect unpredictable weather

Known for its beautiful explosion of fall colors, Massachusetts experiences all four seasons in all their extremes. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters can bring extensive snow, especially in the Western portion of the state. The region is generally safe from most natural disasters, but nor’easters can be a concern during winter months. We recommend investing in winter clothing, snow tires and heating systems before you move. You can also stay up to date with local weather forecasts through the National Weather Service.

6. Embrace the cultural and historical richness

From historic Revolutionary War landmarks to beautiful college campuses, Massachusetts offers a rich mix of historical and cultural richness. Walk the Freedom Trail or visit the site of the Salem Witch Trials. From East to West, there are countless festivals, museums and landmarks to explore. For more ideas, visit the Massachusetts Historical Society website.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Massachusetts, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.