Massachusetts
Are you middle class? Here’s what it takes to be middle class in Massachusetts in 2025
Report: 65% of middle class struggling financially
In an Urban Institute poll commissioned by the National True Cost of Living Coalition, 65% of American families making at least $60k a year struggle financially
Cheddar
- The study by SmartAsset found that Massachusetts is the most expensive state for middle-class living.
- A household is considered middle class in the Bay State if it makes between $66,565 and $199,716.
- Boston is ranked the 13th priciest city to be middle class in the U.S., with a household needing between $64,614 and $193,862.
The income needed to maintain middle-class status in the United States has risen—and it’s the highest in Massachusetts, according to calculations by SmartAsset.
Reaching middle-class in America—owning a home, saving enough money for retirement, and being able to go on occasional vacations—has long been a dream for many. But it’s one that is increasingly feeling out of reach for many Americans.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday, three in five Americans say the cost of living is going in the wrong direction. And in Massachusetts, a UMass Amherst poll found that just 40% of residents say their own economic situation is “excellent” or “good,” the lowest percentage in the past four years.
Using Pew Research Center’s definition of middle income, which is two-thirds to double the median household income, as well as the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, SmartAsset calculated the middle-class income ranges for 100 major U.S. cities and all 50 states.
What is middle class in Massachusetts?
The study found that Massachusetts is the most expensive state for middle-class living.
A household is considered middle class in the Bay State if it makes between $66,565 and $199,716. This is a jump from $62,986 to $188,976 last year.
The median household income in Massachusetts is $99,858.
What is considered middle class in Boston?
Boston is ranked the 13th priciest city to be middle class in the U.S., with a household needing between $64,614 and $193,862.
The median income in Boston is $96,931.
What are the most expensive states to be middle class in America?
Massachusetts overtook New Jersey this year as the priciest state to be middle class.
New Jersey still holds the second spot, with a range of $66,514 to $199,562. Maryland is a close third ($65,779 to $197,356).
Another New England state, New Hampshire, took the fourth spot with a range of $64,552 to $193,676.
What cities have the highest middle-class range?
In Arlington, Virginia, a household could be making $280,000 and still be considered middle class. Arlington is the priciest city for middle class living, with a range of $93,470 to $280,438.
California cities take up the next three spots: San Jose ($90,810 to $272,458); Irvine ($85,317 to $255,978); and San Francisco ($84,478 to $253,460).

Massachusetts
New safety review for all Mass. assisted-living facilities after Fall River fire

In the wake of the deadly Gabriel House fire disaster in Fall River, all assisted-living facilities in Massachusetts are being ordered to share their fire safety plans by the end of next week, the Healey administration announced Friday.
All 273 facilities in Massachusetts will also have share evacuation routes and instructions with residents and their families and ensure they are posted widely in the building, complete a fire safety assessment survey, report the age of key fire safety systems and submit their latest emergency preparedness plan to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, officials said.
The office is working to finish a proposal for stronger regulatory requirements at the state’s assisted-living facilities that predates the Fall River fire but which is being reevaluated in the wake of the blaze.
Nine people died after the fire at Gabriel House this weekend, and dozens more were injured.
“What happened in Fall River is a horrible tragedy. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and to the first responders who saved so many others,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “This is a moment to make sure that every Assisted Living Residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents.”
The fire at Gabriel House has left at least nine people dead. Investigators are still looking into its cause, but believe it was accidental.
Evacuations stretched on for the better part of an hour — the city’s fire chief has praised police officers for their part in it. After the Fall River firefighter union said crews’ response was hampered by low staffing, negotiations with the city led to the announcement of a boost in staffing on fire trucks.
Some of Gabriel House’s inspection records have been released, but compliance is part of the ongoing investigations into what happened.
We’re learning more about past inspections of the Fall River assisted living facility where a deadly fire broke out.
As part of the new Fire and Life Safety Initiative, the Executive Office of Aging & Independence will give the facilities it oversees five business days from Monday to outline all fire safety protocols, including details on evacuations, and people to contact with concerns or questions for residents and families in a letter. The evacuation instructions will also have to be placed inside residents’ units and common areas.
Facilities will have to reaffirm within 30 days that they are in compliance with fire safety requirements like hosting fire drills and using sprinkler systems, and they’ll have to submit their Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Plan for each site.
By requiring clear communication with residents and detailed reporting to the state, we are making sure resident safety is front and center – today and every day,” Aging & Independence Secretary Robin Lipson said in a statement. “Our entire team is committed to strengthening emergency readiness and improving standards across the assisted living sector in Massachusetts.”
New Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the initiative is “is about ensuring every building has the resources, knowledge and support they need to keep residents safe in the event of an emergency.”
The Healey administration shared statements from the heads of three organizations, Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge and Mass Senior Care Association, who committed to learn from the what happened in Fall River and the findings of the association.
“Our condolences and sympathies are with the residents, families, and staff members who have been affected during this incredibly difficult time. Mass-ALA is committed to learning from the findings of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s investigation and actions to prevent another tragedy like the fire and loss of life that happened in Fall River,” Massachusetts Assisted Living Association President and CEO Brian Doherty said.
Massachusetts
6 Massachusetts communities impacted by trash strike file lawsuit against Republic Services

Six communities across Massachusetts impacted by the ongoing trash collector strike filed a complaint in Salem Superior Court Thursday morning asking a judge to put an end to it.
“We filed a suit to try and get some relief from the court to require Republic to pick up our trash and recycling,” said Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill.
Strike began on July 1
The complaint included Canton, Danvers, Gloucester, Beverly, Peabody and Malden. Thursday marked 17 days since the communities received regular trash removal services after union workers walked off the job July 1, demanding better pay and benefits from Republic Services.
“Residents can’t do this any longer. Our cities and towns can’t handle this any longer,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “It’s a public safety issue. Republic’s got to get back to the negotiating table.”
In response to public scrutiny, Republic Services released a statement Thursday emphasizing their commitment to reaching a strong labor agreement that benefits employees and customers.
“Regarding the lawsuit filed today, it is disappointing that these six communities have taken this route as we continue to work with our municipal partners to address their needs,” the statement said.
Residents, businesses impacted
For nearly three weeks, Beverly resident and business owner Alex Weatherup says his trash has been piling up. “It does not smell good in my apartment right now. It’s hot, it’s smelly, and it’s not great,” he said.
Paul Guanci echoed that sentiment saying, “It has affected our business; we’ve actually rented a big dumpster out back for just our recycling.”
Back in June, Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga and Beverly Mayor Mike Cahlil say Republic warned them of a potential strike.
Promises “unfulfilled” mayor says
However, Cahill says, “They said they were trying their best to avoid it but if one happened that we didn’t have to worry. They promised that they were a big national company, that they would have resources in our communities to pick up our trash and recycling.”
“There were promises made leading up to the strike and there have been promises made and unfulfilled since the strike,” Verga added.
Both mayors told WBZ that they’ve been in contact with local reps from the company but have yet to hear from the CEO directly.
“Our health director went around yesterday with our inspectors and took pictures of about 25 dumpsters that were full and overflowing,” Cahill said.
To get rid of the trash, Weatherup hired a private collection service. “We had to call junk removal services to take out trash for the condos, the shop, the restaurant,” he said.
And while the extra business has benefitted Jared Epstein’s junk collection service, he says “You know, not ideal for our community.”
It’s helpful for now, but Mayor Cahill says it’s no permanent solution. “Fourteen thousand customers. There’s no way any small businessperson can do that,” he said.
A hearing for the lawsuit is expected to be held on Monday at 2 p.m.
Massachusetts
Keller: Why has investment dried up for tech companies in Massachusetts?

The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller’s, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global.
These are tough times for venture capital, the funding source relied on by many tech startup companies. And one of the biggest slumps has hit one of the best startup states of past years – Massachusetts.
The state’s promotional videos tout Massachusetts as “a leader in energy efficiency, science and technology, and our economy is the most innovative in the nation.” All that used to make us one of the top draws for venture capital investment in new companies.
But not anymore.
Why is venture capital shrinking in Massachusetts?
Recent research by the National Venture Capital Association analyzed by the Boston Globe tells the story of VC funding shriveling for local startups even as it blossoms in other states like California.
What’s driving it away from here, we asked Peter Cohan of Babson College, an author and startup investor himself? “The success of the companies out there,” he said, the bulk of the venture capital investments these days are going to AI startups out west in part because while the big-idea creators might go to college here, they too often don’t want to stay here. “Talented people want to be where all the other talented people are, that’s the fundamental issue.”
And the bets government and local investors have made on biotech and clean energy technology haven’t always paid off that well. “In Boston, I think investors really like high-tech solutions to difficult societal problems,” said Cohan. “Sometimes those solutions also find a market, and sometimes they really don’t.”
Federal cuts in local research funding are bad news for local startups, a problem that can’t be papered over with cultural spin. While those promotional videos promote arts, culture and cool coffeehouses, that doesn’t speak to the core issue, says Cohan: “It’s nonsense. That’s sleeping, they’re just dozing away, they’ve got their head in the sand.”
How does Massachusetts recover?
Meanwhile, states like Pennsylvania, Washington and California are raking in venture capital funding. What do we need to do to get back in the game?
As Cohan suggests, an end to the war between the White House and higher ed would help. Quantum computing and nuclear fusion are two promising areas where local researchers have a strong presence.
But in the long run it may come down to those researchers coming up with a great idea and deciding to stay here to develop and market it.
Maybe we need a new slogan to get through to them – don’t be a Zuckerberg.
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