Massachusetts is rich. Based on 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data, it leads the country with a median annual income of $104,828, edging out New Jersey and well ahead of Maryland, Hawaii and California, which round out the top five.
Best States 2026
Dive into the data and analysis from our latest rankings:
But why? What separates the Bay State from its competitors at the top of the chart – and from Mississippi, West Virginia and Louisiana at the bottom?
The U.S. News Best States data reveals a clear pattern. In nearly every category related to Education and Healthcare, Massachusetts is at or near the top of the list. In Math and Reading Scores, it’s No. 1; in Educational Attainment, it’s No. 2. In College Readiness, it’s No. 3. In Hospital Quality, it’s No. 1. In Child Wellness Visits, it’s No. 1. It also has the greatest share of residents with health insurance and one of the country’s lowest infant mortality rates…