Moving to Massachusetts? Check out our guide to Starting a Business in Massachusetts.
In the discussion of the best states to settle down and raise a family, few states have as much to offer as Massachusetts: tons of history, great public education, beautiful beaches in Cape Cod, and, of course, Boston. Sure, its gets pretty cold in the winter, but the warm summers and lovely autumn foliage more than make up for it. Take a look at the five Massachusetts cities we think are the best to live in.
1. Chelmsford
Leading the pack is Chelmsford, a city in Middlesex County that is Massachusetts’ most liveable city. With a high median household income topping $70,000 and an award-winning public school system, Chelmsford is a great place for family life. Of note are the many historic houses dating back to the 18th Century.
2. Pittsfield
Pittsfield is the county seat of Berkshire County on the western edge of the state. The picturesque New England city with a thriving art scene notable enough for Pittsfield to be named the top medium-sized art community in the country by the Arts Vibrancy Index.
3. Cambridge
Famous as the home to both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a slew of other institutes of higher learning, #3 Cambridge can lay claim to perhaps the best-educated populace in the nation. Whether you are looking for arts & culture, great restaurants, or a more peaceful alternative to Boston, Cambridge has it all.
4. Natick
Ranking fourth, Natick is the third Middlesex County city in Massachusetts’ top five. The town’s great public education system and New England charm have made it one of the fastest growing cities in the state.
5. Franklin
Franklin of Norfolk County is another great little Massachusetts city most notable for possessing the oldest public library in the country.
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Methodology
We ranked a total of 2,509 qualified cities (those with populations above 25,000 and enough data for analysis) by five factors: employment (number of establishments, median earnings); housing (owner-occupied housing with a mortgage, monthly housing costs); quality of life (work commute, poverty levels); education (percentage with a bachelor’s degree or higher); and health (obesity ratios).