What is the poorest town in Massachusetts?

While it varies slightly by report, Ware and North Adams are frequently cited as the poorest towns/cities in Massachusetts based on low median household income and high poverty rates, with Ware often noted as the poorest town in recent reports (like 2023/2024) and North Adams in older ones. Other areas like Lawrence, Springfield, and Fall River also consistently rank among the most economically disadvantaged.

What is the richest town in Massachusetts?

The richest town in Massachusetts is consistently cited as Dover, known for its high median household income and "old money" status, though other affluent communities like Weston, Sherborn, Wellesley, and Lexington also rank high, often appearing together on lists for their significant wealth and exclusive lifestyles. Recent data highlights Wellesley and other Boston suburbs as extremely wealthy, with Dover often leading in median household income, according to various studies.
 

What is the poorest county in MA?

Per the list, the poorest county in Massachusetts is Hampden County. Hampden County has a poverty rate of 15.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.9%. 464,575 people live in Hampden County.

Where is the cheapest place to live in Massachusetts?

The cheapest places to live in Massachusetts are generally in the Western and Central parts of the state, with North Adams, Springfield, Chicopee, and Pittsfield consistently ranking as most affordable due to significantly lower housing costs than the state average, while towns in the Pioneer Valley like Ludlow and cities like Fitchburg and Leominster also offer budget-friendly options. 

What city in Massachusetts has the worst crime rate?

Shockingly, when looked at crime rate per capita, Provincetown is #9 on the list, well above the rates of Boston, Worcester, Lynn, Lawerence, and New Bedford! North Adams has the highest rate of crime when sorted for population.

10 Places in Massachusetts You Should NEVER Move To

Where not to live in Massachusetts?

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts

• Springfield. In Springfield, the violent crime rate soars to 842.2 per 100,000 residents, making it the most dangerous city in Massachusetts. ...
• Holyoke. ...
• Brockton. ...
• New Bedford. ...
• Worcester. ...
• Chelsea. ...
• Lawrence. ...
• Fall River.

What city is ranked #1 for crime?

Stockton. In Stockton, California, assault tops the concern list, reflecting broader issues. The city maintains a rate of 1,179 per 100,000 residents according to recent data.

What is the nicest town to live in Massachusetts?

The "best" town in Massachusetts depends on your priorities, but top contenders consistently include Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge for their excellent schools, amenities, and proximity to Boston, while Plymouth offers history and coastline, and towns like Northborough are noted for safety. Other popular choices are Malden, Somerville, Lexington, and Shrewsbury, often praised for great schools, quality of life, or a mix of suburban and urban feel, with rankings varying by source. 

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the #1 cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to having the nation's lowest housing costs, along with very low transportation expenses, making overall living costs significantly below the national average, though it also faces high poverty rates. Other top contenders for affordability include West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama, all offering low housing and everyday expenses. 

What salary is considered low income in MA?

Low income in Massachusetts is defined by percentages of the Area Median Income (AMI), not a single number, with "Low Income" typically meaning up to 80% of AMI, "Very Low Income" at 50% of AMI, and "Extremely Low Income" at 30% of AMI, varying by location (like Boston area vs. rural) and household size, with specific limits set annually by HUD and Massachusetts Housing Partnership for programs like affordable housing. For example, in the Boston area for 2025, 80% AMI (Low Income) could be around $90k-$100k for a family, while 30% AMI (Extremely Low) might be under $40k for a family, but you must check current HUD tables for your specific county/metro area. 

What is the poorest city in mass?

Lawrence is one of the poorest cities in Massachusetts. Its population of 79,000 is mostly minority and largely Hispanic. Historically, Lawrence's public sector has been troubled, and its problems with city administrations and underperforming school districts have been well-publicized and documented.

What state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the state with the highest poverty rate in the U.S., often followed by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia, according to World Population Review data from late 2024/early 2025 and U.S. Census data cited by FCNL and Visual Capitalist. Factors contributing to Mississippi's high poverty include low median household income, lower educational attainment, and higher rates of child poverty, though rates have seen some improvement over the years.
 

What is the wealthiest county in MA?

While Nantucket County often appears as the wealthiest by some measures, recent data from sources like the NIH and Data Commons often ranks Middlesex County as the richest in Massachusetts by median household income, closely followed by Norfolk County, with Nantucket County also consistently ranking among the top three, showcasing high wealth with significant income disparities and affluent towns like Wellesley within Norfolk.
 

What is the safest town in Massachusetts?

While rankings vary slightly by source, Northborough and Wayland consistently appear as the safest towns in Massachusetts for 2024-2025, with Northborough often cited as number one due to extremely low violent and property crime rates, while Wayland also boasts very low crime and high affluence. Other towns frequently named among the safest include Clinton, Sharon, Lexington, and Holliston, known for their strong community safety and low crime metrics. 

Who is a billionaire in Massachusetts?

Topping the list for Massachusetts is Fidelity Investments CEO Abigail Johnson, who is listed as the 27th richest person in America for 2025. Johnson's wealth climbed from $29 billion in 2024 to $35.7 billion this year.

What is the happiest state to live in?

Hawaii consistently ranks as the happiest state in the U.S., followed by states like Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Utah, according to recent WalletHub studies, due to strong emotional well-being, good work environments, and positive community factors, with Hawaii often praised for high life satisfaction, low depression, and active lifestyles despite potential economic factors.
 

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often feature low housing costs, with cities like Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), Brownsville (TX), and Fort Wayne (IN) frequently topping lists, offering affordability alongside decent amenities, while states like Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia consistently rank as most affordable overall due to low living expenses. The "best" depends on your needs, balancing low cost with factors like job markets, culture, and proximity to services, with Midwest and Southern towns often providing the best value. 

Which states have no state income tax?

Nine U.S. states currently have no state income tax on earned wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, though Washington does have a capital gains tax on high earners. While these states offer tax savings on income, they often rely more heavily on other taxes like sales, property, and excise taxes to fund public services, so it's important to look at the overall tax picture.
 

What is the prettiest town in Massachusetts?

There's no single "most beautiful" town, as it depends on preference, but Stockbridge in the Berkshires is consistently ranked highly for its quintessential New England charm, Norman Rockwell history, historic Main Street, and surrounding natural beauty with gardens and rivers, while other top contenders include the coastal charm of Chatham, Rockport, and Nantucket, and the historic literary/Revolutionary War sites of Concord.
 

Why are people moving out of Massachusetts?

People are leaving Massachusetts primarily due to the high cost of living, especially housing, alongside significant expenses for utilities, taxes, and healthcare, prompting many, including young professionals and families, to seek more affordable areas with better quality of life, better schools, or to be closer to family, though jobs and the state's strong innovation sector still attract many inbound residents.
 

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live near Massachusetts?

For the nicest yet cheapest places near Massachusetts, look to Western MA (North Adams, Springfield, Chicopee, Pittsfield) for great value, outdoor access, arts, and lower costs; Central MA (Leominster, Millbury area) for family-friendly suburban feel with good schools; and nearby New Hampshire (Portsmouth) for a coastal vibe with cultural perks, though often pricier than Western MA, offering a mix of amenities and affordability compared to Boston. 

What is the safest state in the US?

Vermont is frequently ranked as the safest state in the U.S. for 2025 by various reports, including WalletHub and Eufy due to low crime rates, strong economic factors like low unemployment, excellent road safety, and high disaster preparedness, though other rankings place New Hampshire or Maine at the top, emphasizing low violent crime and strong community safety. 

Which state is no. 1 in crime?

Alaska consistently ranks as having the highest violent crime rate per capita in recent data (2024), followed closely by New Mexico, while Louisiana often leads in specific metrics like murder rates, showing that the "number 1" state depends on the specific crime type measured. Other states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi also frequently appear in the top ranks for violent crime and homicide.