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Bordered on the north by New Hampshire and Vermont, on the west by New York, and on the south by Connecticut and Rhode Island, the officially named Commonwealth of Massachusetts is New England's most populous state, with the majority of its citizens (more than 6 million) living in the Boston metro area.

Home to Plymouth Rock and its association with early 17th century Pilgrim settlement, the state later led the Thirteen Original Colonies in revolutionary fervor that eventually brought about the War for Independence in 1776.

Today, major industries in Massachusetts include biotechnology, banking, health care and tourism. The state is also a leader in higher education with Harvard University, Wellesley, MIT and others ranking among the top colleges in the nation. Remaining true to its agricultural roots Massachusetts is also the second largest cranberry producing state in the U.S. after Wisconsin.

The state also reflects its modern day position as having one of the highest costs of living in the Northeast, together with some of the highest property taxes in the region.

Massachusetts quality-of-life statistics

Moving to MA Fast Facts • Find a job: Find a Job - Mass.gov • Start a business: Starting a Business in Massachusetts • Get a driver's license: Who Needs a Massachusetts License? • Retire to Massachusetts: Massachusetts Retirement Communities

Demographics : (Massachusetts Census Data)
Major cities: Boston (capital), Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge
Population : 6,349,097
White : 86.7%
Black, African American : 6.9%
Hispanic : 7.9%
High school graduates : 84.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 33.2%
Average household income: $53,657

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Massachusetts - Compared to the rest of the country, Massachusetts's cost of living is 22.18% higher than the U.S. average.

Property Taxes : Massachusetts Tax Climate - Massachusetts' property taxes are 7th highest in the nation per capita.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Massachusetts Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 61.7%
Average home price: $429,500
Average travel time to work : 27 minutes

Personal Income Taxes: Massachusetts imposes a flat rate of 5.3% of federal adjusted gross income. Residents must file state taxes using Form 1 each year by April 15.

Schools : Much like many areas around the country, public and private school ratings rise and fall with the local tax base, as more affluent neighborhoods are allocated the lion's share of education spending. Also see Massachusetts Department of Education

Weather : Like most of New England, Massachusetts experiences warm summers and cold, snowy winters, and is especially prone to Nor'easters or sometimes severe winter storms.

Crime : see Massachusetts Crime Rates

also see -> Massachusetts Eviction Laws | MA Taxes | MA Tourism

MA Fall Foliage | MA Shopping Outlets | Christmas in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Kids Party Locations

More about relocating to Massachusetts around the Web:

Welcome to Massachusetts! - Official state portal for those considering a move to the state offering information on voter registration, car registration, state taxes, links to job & real estate information, public schools & higher education, local transportation, plus helpful hints on finding local doctors, dentists & healthcare services.

Boston relocation - BostonOnline.com guide to city life with information on cost of living, neighborhoods, subways, bus routes and commuter rail lines, searchable jobs, apartments & real estate database, plus information on local customs and official holidays.

Massachusetts City-Data Forums - Busy online message boards with tips & advice on jobs, real estate, schools and cost of living in a variety of cities & towns including Boston, Cambridge, Cape Cod, Lexington and eastern Massachusetts.

Berkeley Parents Network - Moving to Massachusetts - Archived online discussion posts with tips & advice on family-friendly neighborhoods, kids activities, schools & healthcare for the Amherst & Boston areas.

Relocating to Massachusetts Pioneer Valley - Guide to moving to the Springfield area with links and contact details for suggested apartment & real estate brokers, healthcare services, local utilities, banks, schools & houses of worship.

Massachusetts Movers Association - Trade association with helpful tips & advice, searchable database of approved movers within the state, related resources.

Massachusetts real estate, apartments & job classifieds:

Boston : Globe | Herald
Cambridge : Chronicle
Worcester : Telegram & Gazette
Springfield : Republican