Massachusetts
MANortheast · 5 cities tracked · Updated 2026
Massachusetts is more expensive than the national average. Across the 5 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 131 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $2,278 a month, 18% above the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$4.07
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$2,278
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
131
vs. 100 national avg
Massachusetts Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in Massachusetts is electricity, at 65% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 8% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 2.7% over the past year across the 5 cities we track, about in line with the 2.7% national change. Pittsfield saw the biggest move (up 3.8%), while Worcester was up just 1.4%.
City to city
Where you live inside Massachusetts matters. Typical rent runs from $1,757 in Pittsfield to $2,987 in Boston, a gap of $1,230 a month or about $14,760 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 44% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 17th highest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $95,187 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $4.07 a gallon, 2% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $274 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,980 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the Northeast rose 1.6% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in Massachusetts
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 14 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Middlesex County | $126,779 |
| 2Norfolk County | $126,497 |
| 3Nantucket County | $119,750 |
| 4Plymouth County | $109,698 |
| 5Dukes County | $102,348 |
| 6Essex County | $99,431 |
| 7Barnstable County | $94,452 |
| 8Worcester County | $93,561 |
| 9Suffolk County | $92,859 |
| 10Hampshire County | $86,391 |
| 11Bristol County | $84,198 |
| 12Franklin County | $72,584 |
| 13Berkshire County | $72,565 |
| 14Hampden County | $70,535 |
Massachusetts Cost of Living FAQ
Is Massachusetts expensive to live in?
Massachusetts is about 31% more expensive than the national average. Across the 5 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 131, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in Massachusetts?
Typical rent in Massachusetts averages $2,278 a month across the 5 cities we track as of September 2026, 18% above the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 5th highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in Massachusetts?
Of the 5 cities we track in Massachusetts, Worcester has the lowest cost of living index at 118. The lowest typical rent is in Pittsfield, at $1,757 a month.
What is the most expensive city in Massachusetts?
Springfield has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Massachusetts, at 135. The highest typical rent is in Boston, at $2,987 a month.
How much is gas in Massachusetts?
Regular unleaded averages $4.07 a gallon in Massachusetts as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 2% above the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.
Is rent going up in Massachusetts?
Rent in Massachusetts rose an average of 2.7% over the past year across the 5 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in Massachusetts?
Residential electricity in Massachusetts averages 30.5 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $274.
How much is car insurance in Massachusetts?
Full coverage car insurance in Massachusetts averages $1,980 a year, or about $165 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.