Compare states / Massachusetts
MA
Compare Massachusetts with other states
Massachusetts, home to about 7.2 million people, is the 3rd-most densely populated state at 919 people per square mile. Its top income-tax rate of 9.0% is the 7th-highest among the 50 states; its effective property-tax rate of 1.00% is close to the middle (tied for 16th-highest of 50). Housing is expensive: the median home value of $667,829 is the 3rd-highest nationally. It is one of 12 states with its own estate tax.
Data: Massachusetts (mass.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | 5% plus 4% surtax on income over $1M |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.25% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.00% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Local motor-vehicle excise, about 2.25% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, Massachusetts requires a return if the gross estate plus adjusted taxable gifts exceeds $2 million. A $99,600 credit eliminates tax at or below that amount. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $15.00. |
| Median home value | $667,829 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.25% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $75.00 |
| Registration (base) | $60.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 39 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 7,169,608 |
| Population density | 919.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 68.8% White (non-Hispanic) 12.9% Hispanic 7.0% Black 7.2% Asian |
| Violent crime | 314.7 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Massachusetts
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 9.0%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Massachusetts
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.25% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Massachusetts
- Get an MA driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Massachusetts.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Massachusetts elections site.
- Nurse license: Massachusetts is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Massachusetts: District sets date (often Aug 31). Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Massachusetts compares
Alaska does not tax wages. Massachusetts’s top listed rate is 9.0% (5% plus 4% surtax on income over $1M).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Massachusetts are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits (MA tax agency).
- Estate tax. Massachusetts estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. Massachusetts has no state inheritance tax (MA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Massachusetts $15.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Massachusetts 6.25%.
- State parks. Massachusetts 39. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; MA 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (MA).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Massachusetts 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Massachusetts 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled