Boston, September 8, 2025
News Summary
A new report highlights the wealth concentrations across Massachusetts, identifying Back Bay (02116) as the wealthiest ZIP code with a median home value of approximately $1.3 million. The study reveals all top ten wealthiest ZIP codes are located within 10 miles of downtown Boston, reflecting urban economic vitality. While urban neighborhoods dominate the rankings, notable exceptions exist, particularly among affluent areas outside Greater Boston such as Cape Cod. Key factors for the rankings include income, property values, and socio-economic indicators.
Boston — A new report ranking wealth by ZIP code across Massachusetts finds the highest concentrations of wealth clustered in and around downtown Boston, with the Back Bay ZIP code 02116 identified as the wealthiest in the state. The ranking shows all of the top 10 wealthiest ZIP codes lie within about 10 miles of downtown Boston, and that typical home values in these ZIP codes exceed $880,000, roughly double the national average reported by Zillow.
Key findings
The report used a Wealth Index built from U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow data and weighted several factors including per-capita income, home value, population density, poverty rates, and estimated savings. Using that index, the top ZIP codes in the state are concentrated in urban neighborhoods and inner suburbs:
- 1 — Back Bay, 02116: Ranked the wealthiest ZIP code in Massachusetts; median home value reported at about $1.3 million.
- 2 — South End, 02118: Second-wealthiest ZIP code; noted in the data as having a 24% poverty rate despite its high overall ranking on the index.
- 3 — Brookline, 02446.
- 4 — Somerville, 02144.
- 5 — Charlestown, 02129.
- 6 — Cambridge, 02140.
- 7 — (not listed in provided top-ten details) — overall list places Waban and Newtonville at 11 and 12 respectively, indicating inner-suburban strength just outside the top ten.
- 9 — Cambridge, 02139.
- 10 — Cambridge, 02141.
The report notes that four of the top 10 ZIP codes are inside Boston proper and three are in Cambridge, underlining Greater Boston as the state’s wealth epicenter. Nearly all top-ranked ZIP codes are located within a short commute to downtown employment centers, services and transit.
Shifts and notable exceptions
One suburban town that had previously topped a ranking in 2024 did not appear in this year’s top 10 after the index was expanded to include more socio-economic indicators. That town remains highly ranked on other measures, sitting second for household income within the Boston metro area and sixth for the share of residents with a college degree.
The report also highlights geographic pockets of concentrated wealth outside Greater Boston. The Cape Cod region and the Islands contain multiple affluent ZIP codes, though fewer of those reach the statewide top 100. Only one Cape Cod ZIP code — North Chatham (02650) — appears inside the statewide top 100, at 46th.
Cape Cod and Islands: top local ZIP codes (statewide ranks)
- North Chatham, 02650 — Rank 46 (the only Cape Cod ZIP inside the statewide top 100)
- Chatham, 02633 — Rank 64
- Falmouth, 02540 — Rank 67
- Harwich Port, 02646 — Rank 68
- Osterville, 02655 — Rank 69
- West Dennis, 02670 — Rank 71
- Cotuit, 02635 — Rank 76
- Sandwich, 02563 — Rank 78
- Orleans, 02653 — Rank 81
- North Falmouth, 02556 — Rank 85
Methodology and context
The Wealth Index that produced these results combined multiple datasets to move beyond single measures such as household income or property value alone. Variables included per-capita income, median home value, population density, poverty rate and an estimate of household savings. This multi-factor approach led to shifts in rankings compared with simpler, single-factor lists compiled in prior years.
Massachusetts is already recognized as one of the wealthier U.S. states by several economic measures, and this analysis reinforces that Greater Boston accounts for a large share of that wealth, with affluent neighborhoods, high home values and dense economic activity concentrated near the city center and adjacent inner suburbs.
What this means for residents and policy
The concentration of affluent ZIP codes in tight geographic clusters highlights disparities within short distances: high property values and incomes sit alongside neighborhoods with measurable levels of poverty. These patterns are relevant to housing policy, taxation, transit planning and local government service priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What report produced these rankings?
The findings come from a recent report that used a Wealth Index based on U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow data to rank Massachusetts ZIP codes by multiple economic indicators.
How was “wealth” measured?
Wealth was measured using a composite Wealth Index including per-capita income, median home values, population density, poverty rates and estimates of household savings.
Which ZIP code is the wealthiest?
Back Bay, ZIP code 02116, ranked first statewide and has a median home value around $1.3 million.
Are the wealthiest ZIP codes all in Boston?
Most of the top-ranked ZIP codes are in Boston or its immediate inner suburbs. All top 10 ZIP codes are within roughly 10 miles of downtown Boston, and several are in Cambridge and Brookline.
What happened to the town that led earlier lists?
One suburban town that topped a simpler ranking in 2024 fell out of the top 10 after the index incorporated additional socio-economic factors. The town still ranks highly on household income and educational attainment within the metro area.
How does Cape Cod compare?
There are affluent ZIP codes on Cape Cod and the Islands, but only North Chatham appears within the statewide top 100, indicating fewer Cape locations reach the highest statewide ranks compared with Greater Boston.
Top Massachusetts ZIP codes by Wealth Index (selected)
| State Rank | ZIP | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 02116 | Back Bay (Boston) | Median home value ≈ $1.3M |
| 2 | 02118 | South End (Boston) | Reported 24% poverty rate despite high index ranking |
| 3 | 02446 | Brookline | Inner-suburban concentration of wealth |
| 4 | 02144 | Somerville | High home values and dense population |
| 5 | 02129 | Charlestown (Boston) | Close to downtown and transit |
| 6 | 02140 | Cambridge | One of three Cambridge ZIPs in top 10 |
| 9 | 02139 | Cambridge | High property values near academic and research centers |
| 10 | 02141 | Cambridge | Part of Cambridge’s high-ranking cluster |
Cape Cod: Selected ZIPs and statewide ranks
| Cape Rank | ZIP | Area | Statewide Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 02650 | North Chatham | 46 |
| 2 | 02633 | Chatham | 64 |
| 3 | 02540 | Falmouth | 67 |
| 4 | 02646 | Harwich Port | 68 |
| 5 | 02655 | Osterville | 69 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boxford Named Richest Small Town in Massachusetts
Additional Resources
- Patriot Ledger
- Wikipedia: ZIP Code
- Boston.com
- Google Search: wealthiest zip codes in Massachusetts
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Economy
- NBC Boston
- Google News: wealthiest zip codes in Massachusetts
- Forbes
- Boston Agent Magazine
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
