Cambridge, Massachusetts, September 24, 2025
News Summary
In a recent nationwide ranking, four cities from Massachusetts made it to the top 100 best places to live in the United States, as per U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 list. Cities including Brookline, Cambridgeport, Riverside, and Cambridge showcased desirable living conditions. West Hartford, Connecticut, achieved the highest Northeast placement in the rankings. The report considers factors such as happiness, affordability, and the job market, allowing residents to evaluate livability and value in their moving decisions.
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Four Massachusetts cities ranked among the top 100 best places to live in America in a nationwide 2025 list, and five New England communities placed among the 250 best places to live in the United States.
Key findings
Five New England cities made the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 ranking of the 250 best places to live in the United States. Four of these cities are located in Massachusetts. Massachusetts cities listed in the ranking were Brookline, Cambridgeport, Riverside, and Cambridge, all within the top 100. No cities from Massachusetts cracked the top 25, but West Hartford, Connecticut, made it to No. 19.
Johns Creek, Georgia; Carmel, Indiana; Pearland, Texas; Fishers, Indiana; and Cary, North Carolina topped the ranking as the top five places to live. The cities were evaluated based on metrics including happiness, affordability, healthcare, retiree taxes, desirability, and the job market. To be ranked highly, a place had to demonstrate good value, desirability, a strong job market, and high quality of life.
Housing and cost indicators
The median home value in West Hartford is $372,249, slightly higher than the national average of $370,489, indicating a higher value of living compared to similar-sized cities. The scoring also considers housing affordability, cost of living, weather, and commuting time.
State- and local-level grading
The top 74 cities and towns in Massachusetts received an A+ grade from Niche. The next 26 towns rounding out the top 100 earned an A grade. Communities with “Cambridge” in their name, such as Cambridgeport, Cambridge, Mid-Cambridge, and East Cambridge, prominently featured in the state’s top 10.
Methodology and audience
The Niche rankings are informed by public data sources and resident reviews, focusing on categories like public schools, housing, diversity, family-friendliness, and crime and safety. U.S. News & World Report’s rankings focus on cities, factoring in aspects such as quality of education, healthcare, state infrastructure, and crime when scoring. The report targets a wide audience, including young professionals, families, and retirees, to help guide their living decisions.
What the rankings mean for residents
The rankings combine multiple measures so readers can compare places on objective indicators of livability and value. Communities that scored well demonstrated a balance of desirable amenities, accessible healthcare and education, reasonable housing relative to local incomes, and favorable job prospects. These lists are a snapshot for 2025 and are intended to guide decisions rather than dictate them.
Context and limitations
Rankings use publicly available data and resident feedback; they reflect the variables selected and the weighting assigned by each ranking organization. Differences in local costs, personal priorities, and recent changes in housing or employment markets may not be fully captured. Readers should use the rankings as one input among many when evaluating where to live.
FAQ
Which Massachusetts cities made the 2025 list?
Massachusetts cities listed in the ranking were Brookline, Cambridgeport, Riverside, and Cambridge, all within the top 100.
How many New England cities appeared in the ranking?
Five New England cities made the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 ranking of the 250 best places to live in the United States.
Which places were ranked as the top five places to live?
Johns Creek, Georgia; Carmel, Indiana; Pearland, Texas; Fishers, Indiana; and Cary, North Carolina topped the ranking as the top five places to live.
Did any Massachusetts cities make the top 25?
No cities from Massachusetts cracked the top 25, but West Hartford, Connecticut, made it to No. 19.
What metrics were used to evaluate the cities?
The cities were evaluated based on metrics including happiness, affordability, healthcare, retiree taxes, desirability, and the job market.
What does the Niche grading show for Massachusetts?
The top 74 cities and towns in Massachusetts received an A+ grade from Niche. The next 26 towns rounding out the top 100 earned an A grade.
What is the median home value in West Hartford?
The median home value in West Hartford is $372,249, slightly higher than the national average of $370,489, indicating a higher value of living compared to similar-sized cities.
Who is the target audience for the report?
The report targets a wide audience, including young professionals, families, and retirees, to help guide their living decisions.
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Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Top five places (nationwide) | Johns Creek, Georgia; Carmel, Indiana; Pearland, Texas; Fishers, Indiana; and Cary, North Carolina |
| New England cities in the 2025 top 250 | Five New England cities made the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 ranking of the 250 best places to live in the United States |
| Massachusetts cities in top 100 | Brookline, Cambridgeport, Riverside, and Cambridge, all within the top 100 |
| Highest Northeast placement noted | No cities from Massachusetts cracked the top 25, but West Hartford, Connecticut, made it to No. 19 |
| West Hartford median home value | $372,249 (national average: $370,489) |
| Key evaluation metrics | Happiness; affordability; healthcare; retiree taxes; desirability; job market; housing affordability; cost of living; weather; commuting time |
| State grading source | The top 74 cities and towns in Massachusetts received an A+ grade from Niche. The next 26 towns rounding out the top 100 earned an A grade. |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Massachusetts Cities Ranked Best Places to Live
- Boston 25 News: 4 Massachusetts Cities Ranked Among Best Places to Live
- Livability: Affordable Places to Live
- Stacker: Best Places to Live in Boston Metro Area
- Patch: Top 100 Places to Live in Massachusetts 2025 Rankings
- Wikipedia: Quality of Life
- Google Search: Best Places to Live in Massachusetts
- Google Scholar: Massachusetts Living Conditions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Living Conditions
- Google News: Best Places to Live in Massachusetts
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