Senior living in Massachusetts
If you're looking to retire, one place you might want to consider is The Bay State. Being where the Mayflower landed, Massachusetts can also be where you set your anchor as you enjoy your golden years. There's a lot to do, including enjoying the bay and the humid climate. Massachusetts is a place with a lot to do, but the cost of living can be higher than you might expect. See below as we break down the cost of living. This way, you can determine if moving to Massachusetts is within your budget or if you should look to another state.
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Cost of living in Massachusetts
If you want to move to Massachusetts, it will cost you. The cost of living is over 31 points higher than the national average, and every expense is also higher. The biggest challenge for living in Massachusetts is the housing, which costs nearly 80 points more than the average, with a median home costing almost $100k more. If you're looking to retire, you must have the money to do so. While there are affordable home options, they are less frequent than in the rest of the country. Keep that in mind when you're considering where to move.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
- Overall
- 131.6
- Grocery
- 117
- Housing
- 179.2
- Utilities
- 110.8
- Transportation
- 112.2
- Misc.
- 116.1
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
- Median home
- $381,600
- Average rent
- $1,282
- Studio
- $1,161
- 1 bedroom
- $1,245
- 2 bedroom
- $1,661
- 3 bedroom
- $1,750
Care levels in Massachusetts
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
- AL
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
- MC
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
- IL
Independent Living
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
- HC
Home Care
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
- SNF
Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
- SA
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Popular cities in Massachusetts
- Attleboro, MA51 communities
- Braintree, MA45 communities
- Andover, MA36 communities
- Boston, MA36 communities
- Worcester, MA36 communities
- Fall River, MA33 communities
- Beverly, MA31 communities
- Arlington, MA28 communities
- Framingham, MA23 communities
- Chelmsford, MA21 communities
- Milford, MA17 communities
- Acton, MA16 communities
Hand-picked from our directory
Top assisted living in Massachusetts
Caregivers who come to you
Top home care in Massachusetts
Right At Home South Shore
Brant Rock, MA
4.6 · 186 reviews
Right At Home Boston Metro West
Newton, MA
4.5 · 125 reviews
Right At Home Eastern Worcester County
Westborough, MA
4.8 · 101 reviews
Brightstar Care Norwood
Norwood, MA
4.4 · 84 reviews
Visiting Angels Newton, Ma
Newton Upper Falls, MA
4.7 · 73 reviews
Visiting Angels Of The Berkshires
Pittsfield, MA
4.5 · 67 reviews
Local pricing
Assisted living monthly cost by city in Massachusetts
Median monthly cost of assisted living, sourced from public data. Actual community pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and amenities.
| City | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Abington | $6,113.00 |
| Accord | $6,010.00 |
| Acton | $6,010.00 |
| Acushnet | $6,010.00 |
| Adams | $6,010.00 |
| Agawam | $5,955.00 |
| Allston | $5,928.00 |
| Amesbury | $5,272.00 |
| Amherst | $4,999.00 |
| Andover | $4,917.00 |
| Arlington | $4,917.00 |
| Arlington Heights | $4,887.00 |
| Ashburnham | $4,753.00 |
| Ashby | $4,521.00 |
| Ashfield | $4,370.00 |
| Ashland | $4,261.00 |
| Ashley Falls | $4,020.00 |
Common questions about senior living in Massachusetts
- What types of senior care are available in Massachusetts?
- Massachusetts has communities offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and skilled nursing. Larger metros have more depth of options across all care levels; smaller markets may have fewer choices in any single category.
- How much does assisted living cost in Massachusetts?
- Assisted living costs in Massachusetts vary widely by metro, apartment size, and the resident's level of care. The national median is roughly $5,000 per month; major metros tend to run higher and rural areas lower. Each community sets its own pricing - request a written cost breakdown when you tour.
- Does Massachusetts Medicaid pay for assisted living?
- Medicaid does not pay for room-and-board in assisted living, but Massachusetts's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver may cover some assisted-living services for eligible residents. Coverage and eligibility vary - check directly with your state's Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney.
- How do I evaluate a nursing home in Massachusetts?
- Start with the CMS 5-star rating on Medicare.gov for any Medicare-certified facility, then look at the underlying staffing data and the most recent state inspection report. Tour the facility, watch staff interact with residents, and ask about staffing levels during evenings and overnight.
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