Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
World-class universities, walkable history, and some of the best schools in the country.
1. Cambridge: Best overall
2. Somerville: Best for young professionals
3. Newton: Best for families
4. Worcester: Best value
5. Boston: Best for jobs
6. Brookline: Best in-town suburb
7. Quincy: Best commuter value
8. Northampton: Best small city
9. Amherst: Best college town
Massachusetts pairs elite universities and a deep healthcare and biotech job base with genuine New England seasons and centuries of history. Costs run high, especially near Boston, but the schools, healthcare, and walkability are hard to beat. Here are the 9 best places to live in Massachusetts, ranked.