Massachusetts is a great place to call home, so you might be thinking about moving there. If so, Rocky Movers in Denver, CO, could help make your move as easy as possible with our long-distance moving services.
One of the questions you may have is how different Massachusetts cities compare to each other. Below, we’ve got a quick comparison of major cities in Massachusetts so you can see what life is like where certain places are located. See if your city matches up!
Boston vs. Worcester
The two largest cities in Massachusetts are Boston and Worcester. When comparing these two, you can see that Worcester is 9% larger, but living in Boston has its benefits.
For example, the crime rate in Worcester is about 7.5% higher than it is in Boston. However, housing costs are 22% less expensive in Worcester than in Boston.
New Bedford vs. Springfield
Another two cities in Massachusetts that are interesting to compare are New Bedford and Springfield. These places have a lot in common, which you can see by looking at their crime rates, unemployment rates, poverty levels, and even the average commute time.
However, they also share many differences. For example, New Bedford’s population is twice the size of Springfield’s, but the median income is only about 4% higher. The average housing costs in New Bedford are also much lower than those found in Springfield.
Plymouth vs. Lowell
Plymouth and Lowell are two cities that lie on either side of Massachusetts’ Merrimack River, which intersects both places at a point. When comparing these cities, you can see that living in Plymouth costs about 8% more than living in Lowell.
You also see that the average housing unit is almost twice as large in Plymouth; at 2,200 square feet, it’s much larger compared to the average 1,300-square foot home found in Lowell.
The crime and poverty rates are around 15% lower in Lowell than in Plymouth.
New Bedford vs. Fitchburg
Here’s one more interesting comparison. New Bedford and Fitchburg are located relatively close to each other, but there are significant differences between them.
For example, the average commute time is noticeably shorter in Fitchburg than in New Bedford, almost half as long at 19 minutes compared to 40 minutes.
Additionally, the crime rate is over three times lower in Fitchburg than in New Bedford, and household income is 14% higher.
Springfield, MA vs. Cambridge
Some may be surprised to learn that Springfield has a larger population than Cambridge. However, the median household income is much higher in Cambridge, at over $139,000 per year, than Springfield’s median income of approximately $56,000 per year.
Housing prices are also higher in Cambridge, with an average cost of more than $937,000 for a home compared to Springfield’s average home price of just under $238,000. The poverty rate is 14.2% lower in Cambridge than in Springfield, and the unemployment rate, based on January 2022 stats, is 6.4% in Springfield vs. 2.9% in Cambridge.
Brockton vs. Quincy
Brockton and Quincy are two more cities in Massachusetts that are worth comparing. The unemployment rate is 5% lower in Quincy. Housing costs are also lower in Brockton ($400,000 vs. $629,000) but the crime rate is higher (2,410 vs. 1,448).
What about the average household income in these cities? Quincy’s median income is significantly higher at $94,400 than Brockton’s $77,300.
Lynn vs. Fall River
Lynn and Fall River are two adjacent cities on Massachusetts’ north shore. Both have over 90,000, but the median household income is about 23% higher in Lynn than in Fall River ($71,550 vs. $57,805).
The average home price is also significantly higher in Lynn at $450,000 than in Fall River at $360,000.
Top 5 things to do in Massachusetts
There are many things to do in Massachusetts that aren’t limited to one specific city. If you’re planning a trip, check out these attractions.
Old Sturbridge Village
This living history village features dozens of period buildings, exhibits on 19th-century life, and events throughout the year. It’s located in Sturbridge, around 30 miles west of Springfield, MA.
Worcester Art Museum
The museum features paintings, prints, drawings, and other artworks from all over the world. It’s also home to rotating exhibits that may include works by local artists or other pieces worth seeing.
Cape Cod
You can’t miss Cape Cod if you’re visiting Massachusetts. It’s a narrow peninsula that extends east from Massachusetts into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s famous for its beaches and the towns and villages along its beautiful coast.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
This historic site in Salem includes several vessels and cottages from the 18th and 19th centuries and commemorates Salem’s history as a center of shipping, trade, and whaling.
The Boston Public Library
This library offers many exhibits on topics ranging from children’s books to historical objects throughout the year. It also contains more than 6.9 million items to explore, including rare manuscripts and photographs.
Delicious food in Massachusetts
The cuisine in Massachusetts is as diverse as its residents, and there’s plenty to try. Here are a few favorites:
New England clam chowder
This soup is a staple in Massachusetts, and the chowder you’ll find here is usually made with milk or cream, potatoes, herbs like bay leaf and thyme, salt pork or bacon, onions, clams (duh!), butter, salt, pepper, and sometimes other ingredients like carrots or celery.
Boston cream pie
This cake often features two layers of sponge cake with a custard filling and chocolate or plain icing. It’s a popular dessert throughout New England, although many bakeries have their own spin on the recipe.
Lobster rolls
The lobster roll consists of chunks of lobster meat, mayonnaise, and seasonings served on a hot dog bun. This sandwich is most popular during the summer when lobster meat is fresh.
Famous Massachusetts people
With a population close to 7 million, you can bet there are more than a few celebrities who call this state home. Here are some names you may know:
Matt Damon was born in Cambridge and graduated from Harvard University before fame in Hollywood films like Good Will Hunting, The Departed, and Jason Bourne.
Mark Wahlberg grew up in Boston and attended high school at CCD St. John’s Parish School in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston before getting famous for his rap career, acting roles like Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights, and producing Entourage (among other things).
Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem, Israel, but moved to Massachusetts as a teenager and graduated from Harvard University before starring in films like The Professional, Anywhere But Here, Closer, and Black Swan.
Education in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has one of the highest literacy rates in the country, even though it ranks among the top states for education spending.
The university system in Massachusetts includes several academic research institutions that offer degrees at all levels, including master’s and doctoral programs. The public higher learning institutions include many state colleges and universities like:
- The University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Bridgewater State College
- Salem State University
Massachusetts is known for its rigorous education standards and high test scores compared with the rest of the country. It also has many private schools, including Catholic institutions like Mount Alvernia High School in Newton.
Weather in Massachusetts
Massachusetts can get pretty cold during winter, but it offers plenty of warm weather throughout the rest of the year.
Spring and fall are ideal times to visit Massachusetts because the temperatures are milder. Summers tend to be hot with humidity, while winters can get extremely cold with many snowfalls.
Boston averages 43 inches of snow per year, which is one of the highest amounts compared to other cities in the country.
Weather can vary depending on where you are in Massachusetts. The northern part tends to be more temperate, while some areas towards the east coast get much colder.
Attractions in Massachusetts
Massachusetts offers plenty of attractions for travelers who want to explore its cities, towns, and parks.
Six Flags New England is one of the largest amusement parks near Boston that centers around six different sections with unique themes. The park features roller coasters, water rides, and other attractions alongside restaurants and shops.
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is a popular destination for hiking and skiing during the winter. It also includes several trails, ponds, and campgrounds open throughout the year.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial: This location commemorates the Salem witch trials victims that occurred in 1692 and 1693. The site features a memorial wall with the names of those accused and other information about this tragedy.
Boston is full of attractions that range from historic sites like Faneuil Hall Marketplace to museums like the Museum of Fine Arts. It also has many theaters and live music venues, including The Wilbur Theatre and Berklee Performance Center.
Now You Know!
Rocky Movers ensures that your move to Massachusetts goes smoothly by helping you compare different cities. To get started, all you need to do is submit our online form or call us at (303) 317-6896. We’ll do the work of getting a free estimate and creating a cross-country moving plan for you. Once that’s done, we’ll help you get started with your out-of-state move!
If you’re trying to decide where to move, consider these comparisons and choose based on your personal preferences! We at Rocky Movers in Denver, CO, hope this was helpful. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about long-distance moving or anything else we can help with!
