Best counties to live in Massachusetts

Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to live in Massachusetts

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Massachusetts using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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#13. Hampden County

- Population: 467,871
- Median home value: $207,800 (61% own)
- Median rent: $906 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $55,429

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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Franklin County

- Population: 70,577
- Median home value: $232,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $976 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $60,950

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Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Bristol County

- Population: 561,037
- Median home value: $299,800 (63% own)
- Median rent: $901 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $69,095

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Schlitzer90 // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Plymouth County

- Population: 515,303
- Median home value: $370,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,279 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $89,489

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Protophobic // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Berkshire County

- Population: 126,425
- Median home value: $216,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $872 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $59,230

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Jwgetchell // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Dukes County

- Population: 17,312
- Median home value: $699,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,459 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $71,811

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Bobak // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Essex County

- Population: 783,676
- Median home value: $409,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,241 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $79,263

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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#6. Barnstable County

- Population: 213,496
- Median home value: $393,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,311 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $74,336

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Daderot // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Worcester County

- Population: 824,772
- Median home value: $280,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $74,679

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#4. Suffolk County

- Population: 796,605
- Median home value: $496,500 (36% own)
- Median rent: $1,590 (64% rent)
- Median household income: $69,669

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John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Hampshire County

- Population: 161,032
- Median home value: $283,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,119 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $70,876

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Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Norfolk County

- Population: 700,437
- Median home value: $470,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,589 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $103,291

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Jellymuffin40 // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Middlesex County

- Population: 1,600,842
- Median home value: $500,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,636 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $102,603

Best counties to live in Massachusetts