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Massachusetts cost of living & income (2026)

Quick answer: Massachusetts has a cost-of-living index of 147.8 (100 = national baseline), an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $73,900, median household income of $104,828, combined average sales tax about 6.25%, and regular gas about $4.077/gal in the June 2026 AAA snapshot used on the hub.

COL index147.8100 = US baseline
Est. annual COL$73,900
Median HH income$104,828
Sales tax (comb.)6.25%
Gas (87 octane)$4.077/galJune 2026 AAA
Largest cityBoston (653,833)

Taxes & economy

Income tax: Flat 5% + 4% surtax over $1,107,750 (2026)

Sales tax: 6.25% state (combined avg. ~6.25%)

Major industries: Technology/biotech (Boston), higher education, finance, healthcare, tourism

Climate snapshot

Summer high ~82°F (July, Boston area) · Winter low ~22°F (January)

Culture (context)

Freedom Trail / Museum of Fine Arts

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What this means for you

What this means for you: a basket priced at 100 on the national baseline is indexed at 147.8 in Massachusetts. A salary that buys that basket at the baseline would need about 147.8% of that salary to buy the same basket here. That is index math from this snapshot, not a tax-equalized offer and not your rent.

Compare a salary: Massachusetts vs Texas on the explorer.

How to read this page

  1. Read the quick answer for Massachusetts' cost-of-living index, estimated annual cost, median income, sales tax, and gas price.
  2. Open the 50-state explorer and compare Massachusetts with another state. The salary line multiplies pay by the other index divided by this index.
  3. Use the mortgage, rent, and paycheck calculators with your own numbers. This page does not compute a tax return.

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Related states

Similar cost-of-living index in this dataset:

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FAQ

What is Massachusetts' cost of living index?

Massachusetts' cost-of-living index is 147.8 (national baseline 100) in this 2026 classroom snapshot.

What is the estimated annual cost of living in Massachusetts?

The explorer lists an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $73,900 for Massachusetts.

What is median household income in Massachusetts?

Median household income in Massachusetts is $104,828 in this dataset.

What is the combined average sales tax rate in Massachusetts?

The combined average sales tax rate shown for Massachusetts is 6.25%. State and local rules vary; see the Tax Foundation citation on the hub.

Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?

State income tax in Massachusetts: Flat 5% + 4% surtax over $1,107,750 (2026).

What was regular gas in Massachusetts in this snapshot?

87-octane gas is listed at $4.077 per gallon (AAA, June 2026) in the explorer data.

How should a household read Massachusetts' cost-of-living index?

The index is 147.8 against a US baseline of 100. A salary that buys a basket at the baseline would need about 147.8% of that salary to buy the same basket in Massachusetts in this snapshot. It is not a tax bill, a rent quote, or financial advice.

Sources: Tax Foundation (sales tax), BEA / ACS (income & COL), AAA gas (June 20, 2026). State income-tax blurb: Massachusetts DOR — Tax rates. Educational, not financial, tax, or relocation advice. Income-tax blurb on this page was updated October 2026.