Best places to retire in Massachusetts
Written by:
April 10, 2021
realtor.com
Best places to retire in Massachusetts
For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. After all that anticipation, deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision, so Stacker looked to data and rankings from Niche to compile a list of the best places to retire in Massachusetts. Niche ranks places to retire based on a variety of factors including cost of living, health care, recreation, and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.
Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in Massachusetts.
You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes
1 / 25
realtor.com
#25. Vineyard Haven
- Population: 2,123
- Median home value: $577,500 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,387 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $62,521
- Pictured: 103 Main St, Vineyard Haven ($13.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $577,500 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,387 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $62,521
- Pictured: 103 Main St, Vineyard Haven ($13.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
2 / 25
realtor.com
#24. Newton
- Population: 88,593
- Median home value: $914,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,940 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $151,068
- Pictured: 171 Grove St, Newton ($10.0 million, 0 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $914,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,940 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $151,068
- Pictured: 171 Grove St, Newton ($10.0 million, 0 bedrooms)
3 / 25
realtor.com
#23. Scituate
- Population: 18,720
- Median home value: $593,500 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,269 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $128,864
- Pictured: 1-R Baileys Island Rd, Scituate ($4.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $593,500 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,269 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $128,864
- Pictured: 1-R Baileys Island Rd, Scituate ($4.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
4 / 25
realtor.com
#22. Harwich
- Population: 12,147
- Median home value: $399,500 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,345 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $76,822
- Pictured: 50 Nons Rd, Harwich Port ($4.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $399,500 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,345 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $76,822
- Pictured: 50 Nons Rd, Harwich Port ($4.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
5 / 25
realtor.com
#21. Harvard
- Population: 6,569
- Median home value: $565,400 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,242 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $156,667
- Pictured: 55 Oak Hill Rd, Harvard ($1.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $565,400 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,242 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $156,667
- Pictured: 55 Oak Hill Rd, Harvard ($1.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
6 / 25
realtor.com
#20. Sandwich
- Population: 20,286
- Median home value: $382,000 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,321 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $98,827
- Pictured: 241 Phillips Rd, Sandwich ($2.7 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $382,000 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,321 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $98,827
- Pictured: 241 Phillips Rd, Sandwich ($2.7 million, 3 bedrooms)
7 / 25
realtor.com
#19. Brookline
- Population: 59,180
- Median home value: $933,200 (49% own)
- Median rent: $2,268 (51% rent)
- Median household income: $117,326
- Pictured: 14 Allerton St, Brookline ($9.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $933,200 (49% own)
- Median rent: $2,268 (51% rent)
- Median household income: $117,326
- Pictured: 14 Allerton St, Brookline ($9.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
8 / 25
realtor.com
#18. Yarmouth Port
- Population: 5,242
- Median home value: $379,800 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,658 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $74,737
- Pictured: 162 Route 6A, Yarmouth ($1.3 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $379,800 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,658 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $74,737
- Pictured: 162 Route 6A, Yarmouth ($1.3 million, 8 bedrooms)
9 / 25
realtor.com
#17. North Eastham
- Population: 1,612
- Median home value: $484,500 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,303 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $70,864
- Pictured: 15 West Rd, Eastham ($2.9 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $484,500 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,303 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $70,864
- Pictured: 15 West Rd, Eastham ($2.9 million, 2 bedrooms)
10 / 25
realtor.com
#16. Belmont
- Population: 26,113
- Median home value: $859,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $2,002 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $129,380
- Pictured: 75 Woodfall Rd, Belmont ($5.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $859,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $2,002 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $129,380
- Pictured: 75 Woodfall Rd, Belmont ($5.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
11 / 25
realtor.com
#15. Lexington
- Population: 33,340
- Median home value: $889,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $2,475 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $186,201
- Pictured: 30 Whipple Rd, Lexington ($4.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $889,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $2,475 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $186,201
- Pictured: 30 Whipple Rd, Lexington ($4.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
12 / 25
realtor.com
#14. Newburyport
- Population: 18,077
- Median home value: $548,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,338 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $109,839
- Pictured: 1 Hamilton Way, Newburyport ($2.4 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $548,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,338 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $109,839
- Pictured: 1 Hamilton Way, Newburyport ($2.4 million, 5 bedrooms)
13 / 25
realtor.com
#13. East Sandwich
- Population: 3,473
- Median home value: $484,400 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,289 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $107,793
- Pictured: 101 Salt Marsh Rd, East Sandwich ($2.5 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $484,400 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,289 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $107,793
- Pictured: 101 Salt Marsh Rd, East Sandwich ($2.5 million, 2 bedrooms)
14 / 25
realtor.com
#12. Yarmouth
- Population: 23,338
- Median home value: $337,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $63,432
- Pictured: 41 Uncle Roberts Rd, West Yarmouth ($5.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $337,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $63,432
- Pictured: 41 Uncle Roberts Rd, West Yarmouth ($5.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
15 / 25
realtor.com
#11. Lenox
- Population: 4,963
- Median home value: $311,700 (66% own)
- Median rent: $874 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $66,500
- Pictured: 310 Old Stockbridge Rd, Lenox ($12.5 million, 33 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $311,700 (66% own)
- Median rent: $874 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $66,500
- Pictured: 310 Old Stockbridge Rd, Lenox ($12.5 million, 33 bedrooms)
16 / 25
realtor.com
#10. Harwich Port
- Population: 1,809
- Median home value: $543,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $847 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $58,438
- Pictured: 50 Nons Rd, Harwich Port ($4.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $543,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $847 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $58,438
- Pictured: 50 Nons Rd, Harwich Port ($4.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
17 / 25
realtor.com
#9. Shelburne
- Population: 1,649
- Median home value: $307,100 (64% own)
- Median rent: $908 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $66,417
- Pictured: 67 North St, Buckland ($239,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $307,100 (64% own)
- Median rent: $908 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $66,417
- Pictured: 67 North St, Buckland ($239,000, 2 bedrooms)
18 / 25
realtor.com
#8. Wayland
- Population: 13,802
- Median home value: $711,500 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,051 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $185,375
- Pictured: 4 Ellen Mary Ln, Wayland ($4.3 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $711,500 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,051 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $185,375
- Pictured: 4 Ellen Mary Ln, Wayland ($4.3 million, 6 bedrooms)
19 / 25
realtor.com
#7. Orleans
- Population: 5,808
- Median home value: $644,000 (83% own)
- Median rent: $850 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $73,778
- Pictured: 87 Beach Rd, Orleans ($18.0 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $644,000 (83% own)
- Median rent: $850 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $73,778
- Pictured: 87 Beach Rd, Orleans ($18.0 million, 8 bedrooms)
20 / 25
realtor.com
#6. The Pinehills
- Population: 1,419
- Median home value: $621,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,176 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $101,518
- Pictured: 16 Prower Lndg Unit 16, Plymouth ($775,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $621,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,176 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $101,518
- Pictured: 16 Prower Lndg Unit 16, Plymouth ($775,000, 3 bedrooms)
21 / 25
realtor.com
#5. Brewster
- Population: 9,837
- Median home value: $442,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,097 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $75,321
- Pictured: 178 Bonnie Doone Cartway, Brewster ($5.5 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $442,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,097 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $75,321
- Pictured: 178 Bonnie Doone Cartway, Brewster ($5.5 million, 8 bedrooms)
22 / 25
realtor.com
#4. West Dennis
- Population: 2,236
- Median home value: $416,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $608 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $67,469
- Pictured: 131 Lower County Rd, West Dennis ($2.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $416,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $608 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $67,469
- Pictured: 131 Lower County Rd, West Dennis ($2.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
23 / 25
realtor.com
#3. North Falmouth
- Population: 2,516
- Median home value: $553,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,406 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $96,404
- Pictured: 98 Cobblestone Ln Unit L, North Falmouth ($1.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $553,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,406 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $96,404
- Pictured: 98 Cobblestone Ln Unit L, North Falmouth ($1.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
24 / 25
realtor.com
#2. West Yarmouth
- Population: 5,741
- Median home value: $292,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,420 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $61,956
- Pictured: 41 Uncle Roberts Rd, West Yarmouth ($5.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $292,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,420 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $61,956
- Pictured: 41 Uncle Roberts Rd, West Yarmouth ($5.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
25 / 25
realtor.com
#1. Chatham
- Population: 6,019
- Median home value: $637,800 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,110 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $83,839
- Pictured: 300 Stage Neck Rd, Chatham ($16.8 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $637,800 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,110 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $83,839
- Pictured: 300 Stage Neck Rd, Chatham ($16.8 million, 8 bedrooms)
