Latest National Ranking Gives Massachusetts Top Marks in Health Care, Education; Places Above Larger, Competitor States to Win Number One Placement
The Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated a recent national ranking of Massachusetts as the best state to live in for 2024, beating out larger states like Florida and California and neighboring states like New Hampshire.
“We are proud to see Massachusetts recognized as the best state to live in the country,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts’ greatest strength is our people. We are home to the best schools, the best healthcare, and the most innovative businesses – but this isn’t the time to rest on our laurels. Our administration is dedicated to building on this momentum by continuing to invest in our communities, make Massachusetts more affordable, and ensure that we remain the best place to live for future generations.”
“Massachusetts’ success is rooted in our vibrant cities and towns and in our commitment to fostering an environment where all residents can thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This ranking is a reflection of the collective effort of our residents, community and business leaders, and state and local officials across the state who work tirelessly to ensure that Massachusetts is truly is the best place to live. We look forward to continuing the important work of advancing policies that enhance the quality of life for everyone who calls Massachusetts home.”
According to WalletHub, Massachusetts’ world-class health care system and high-quality education contribute to its ranking as the top state to live. Massachusetts has the highest share of residents with health insurance coverage at over 97 percent, the lowest premature death rate in the country and the lowest share of adults in fair or poor health. The state also ranks first for the quality of its school systems, with the fourth-best high school graduation rate in the country at over 90 percent. With the highest percentage of population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree or higher, Massachusetts is home to the most educated workforce in the country.
“This recognition affirms Massachusetts’ role as a leader in creating an environment where families and businesses alike can start, stay, and grow,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “Our state’s top-ranking status in health care and education underscores our commitment to building a thriving, inclusive, economy that attracts talent and investment from around the world. We shouldn’t take our foot off the gas; we will remain focused on ensuring that Massachusetts is not just the best place to live, but also the best place to do business.”
“Massachusetts has taken the lead in addressing rising housing costs that have impacted so much of the country,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “With the passage of the Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law and expanding housing tax credits, we’ve put some of the best ideas for increasing housing production to work toward making Massachusetts more affordable for everyone.”
“We know Massachusetts is a great place to live, but it didn’t happen by accident. Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll administration has cut taxes for families, seniors and businesses and produced responsible budgets that have increased investments in our schools, child care, college accessibility and the environment,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “And we’re not done. We are focused on using the resources we have to create new and affordable housing, provide safe and reliable public transit, and grow emerging industries like climate technology to produce the jobs of the future. We will continue to look for ways to make Massachusetts more competitive, affordable and equitable for everyone who chooses to make our state their home.”
“Massachusetts is home to amazing talent, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to building a strong workforce today and for our future,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “We are also dedicated to supporting our workers by providing paid family medical leave, delivering on our new wage transparency law, and ensuring worker rights and protections are upheld. There’s always more work to do, and we value the incredible partnerships that will continue to foster a more competitive and equitable workforce and work environment across Massachusetts.”
“From day one, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized public safety, investing in vital programs that safeguard Massachusetts communities, advance meaningful reforms, and enhance community preparedness and resilience,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “Our dedicated team combined with strong federal, state and local partnerships is how we achieve our goals and build upon our successes. Massachusetts’ top ranking reflects the effectiveness of teamwork and highlights our shared commitment to ensuring the safety of all those who live, work and raise families in our communities across Massachusetts.”
“Few states can match Massachusetts’ unwavering commitment to veterans,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has transformed Veterans Services, increasing our operating budget by 11 percent and intensifying our efforts to honorably serve those who served us by launching innovative programs and services, prioritizing employment and education, committing to ending veteran homelessness, and enhancing our Veterans Homes with state-of-the-art long-term care and independent living facilities. Just last week, the Governor signed the historic HERO Act, the most comprehensive veterans’ benefits legislation in Massachusetts history, featuring over 30 provisions to expand benefits, modernize services, and promote inclusion.”
“In addition to being a great place to live and work, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to making the delivery of government services for Massachusetts residents the best in the nation,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder. “And with the front door to government now digital, I’m excited to lead the Administration’s innovations in state government IT systems that meet residents where they are, with accessibility, equity, security and inclusivity front of mind.”
“We are honored to be recognized nationally for the many reasons why Massachusetts is a great place to live,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Massachusetts is a place where everyone is welcome, where we lead in access to public transportation, high-quality health care and world-class educational opportunities. Our government leaders work tirelessly to advance diversity, equity, affordability and climate resiliency goals.”
“Here in Massachusetts, we view clean energy transition as a tremendous opportunity and we are seizing it,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our residents reap the benefits of a thriving climatetech industry, new clean sources coming online and strong investments in infrastructure resilient to extreme weather. This means cleaner air, good-paying jobs, better energy efficiency and healthier communities for all. Not to mention, we are home to beautiful natural resources, from the Berkshires to the Cape Cod National Seashore. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is forging ahead with the clean energy transition and lengthening our lead in climate leadership.”
“Massachusetts is the birthplace of public education in the U.S., and home to world-renowned schools. In the past year and a half, we have made significant policy advances and financial investments to transform our state’s education system towards equity, access and affordability from early education and care through higher education,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “That includes being the only state in the country to continue child care stabilization grants at the same funding as the federal government and surpassing pre-pandemic child care capacity, making free school meals permanent, and launching a nation-leading early literacy strategy and the most comprehensive free community college program in the country. We have more work to do, but I am incredibly proud of all the progress we have made – it is nothing less than our students, educators and families deserve. Massachusetts continues to be the best place to go to school.”
“We truly value the quality of and equitable access to health care in Massachusetts, which allows us to attract talent and provide for the people who call this state home,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “While we can celebrate being at the top of this list today, what it really means is that we must continue to make Massachusetts an inclusive, healthy, and innovative place for people to come, stay, and make their own.”
Massachusetts continues to rank #1 for education, having the best schools and universities and leading the nation in student achievement. Education has been a priority focus for the Healey-Driscoll administration from early education and child care through higher education. When federal funding ended, Massachusetts continued child care stabilization grants at $475 million a year – being the only state in the nation to continue funding this vital program at the same level that the federal government did, now for two years in a row. While other states faced a child care cliff, Massachusetts’ surpassed pre-pandemic license capacity by 7,100 child care slots, adding more than 10,600 slots last year. The state’s fiscal year 2025 budget includes $20 million for Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch Initiative, a nation-leading strategy to expand access to evidence-based reading instruction for Massachusetts students. Massachusetts has continued universal free school meals when the federal funding ended, one of only eight states. This significantly increased participation, serving 21 million more meals than before the pandemic. Massachusetts has also made community college free for all students, building on the success of MassReconnect, Governor Healey’s initiative to make community college free for students aged 25 and older that drove a 45 percent increase in enrollment for this age group last year. The administration further invested significant funding to cover tuition, fees, books, and supply costs for Pell Grant-eligible students and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for middle-income students by up to half at public community colleges, state universities, and the University of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is a hub for life science activity, with Greater Boston and Worcester ranking in the top 25 for life science talent and manufacturing, according to CBRE. Currently, 18 of the top 20 largest global life sciences companies are in Massachusetts, and the state continues to support life sciences companies seeking to relocate through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and the Life Sciences Initiative, which Governor Healey proposed reauthorizing for another 10 years with an investment of over $1 billion in her economic development bill, the Mass Leads Act.
In June, Governor Healey hosted a celebration of the Massachusetts climatetech industry leaders that were named to TIME Magazine’s Top GreenTech Companies for 2024. All 28 companies, spanning across the state, were recognized with a Governor’s Citation for their contributions to Massachusetts’ economy and competitiveness. Governor Healey has aimed to make Massachusetts a global leader in climatetech through a $1 billion investment in the Mass Leads Act. A UMass Donahue Institute analysis found the proposal could generate $16.4 billion in economic activity, representing a 12-to-1 return on investment, and create 6,670 new jobs.
Earlier this year, WalletHub ranked Massachusetts as having the third-best state economy for 2024, highlighting its strong potential for innovation. The state noted for having the highest percentage of jobs in high-tech industries and the third-highest share of STEM professionals. WalletHub also ranked Massachusetts as the best state to raise a family in January of this year, as the state provides a good blend of economic opportunities and safe conditions for children.
Each year, Massachusetts is a national leader in research and development on a per capita basis across federal grant programs, such as NIH, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The state also leads the country in venture capital invested per capita. In 2023, Massachusetts ranked number one in US News & World Report’s state ranking of business environments, and the state ranked the strongest knowledge economy by the Milken Institute. Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state has also ranked number two in GDP per capita, and Pitchbook ranks the city of Boston at number six as a top startup city in the world.
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