The East Coast has a major appeal as a retirement destination. Massachusetts serves up beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean, historic charm, and a funky culture, perfect for retirees who want to try new things and make the most of their newfound freedom.
NewHomeSource found the top 10 cities to retire in Massachusetts. Find the perfect city for your ideal lifestyle, and find the perfect place to build your new home.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Massachusetts
1. Springfield
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.6%
- Median Home Value: $156,200
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 1,404
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 4,070
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 12
Retirees can enjoy a wide range of fun in Springfield. Home to Six Flags New England and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, you can have fun with your grandkids, or prove that you’re young at heart. If you like swimming, hiking, or boating, then Lake Lorraine State Park is the perfect place for you.
2. Pittsfield
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.3%
- Median Home Value: $174,300
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 300
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 796
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1
Pittsfield, MA is a fantastic town for active adults who don’t want to slow down during their retirement. Bousquet Mountain is your destination for local skiing in the winter, and the October Mountain State Park is a beautiful spot on the Appalachian Trail for hiking. Explore historic Pittsfield sites like its Shaker Village and Herman Melville’s home.
3. Chicopee
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.4%
- Median Home Value: $182,100
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 340
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,320
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 9
Chicopee is a charming Springfield suburb that gives retirees a comfortable and peaceful lifestyle. This lovely community is filled with great local parks, so staying active and healthy is easy and enjoyable. Chicopee’s affordable median home price lets retirees on a fixed budget invest in their retirement home in a fantastic community
4. Gardner
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.4%
- Median Home Value: $185,700
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 70
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 314
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6
Gardner is a picturesque community in Worcester County. Nature loving retirees have easy access to the great outdoors in Gardner thanks to numerous state and local parks, including Dunn State Park and the Lake Dennison Recreation Area. During the winter, you can go skiing at snow-covered Wachusett Mountain.
5. Holyoke
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.2%
- Median Home Value: $195,800
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 347
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,513
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 8
You can live a life you love in Holyoke, a thriving suburb of Springfield. Retiring in Holyoke means investing in a town where you’ll wake up surrounded by scenic views of Mount Tom. Every day in Holyoke, you’ll have plenty of picturesque hiking to enjoy and a fun culture that you can explore during cooler months.
6. Fitchburg
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.5%
- Median Home Value: $196,600
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 220
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 548
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 11
You’ll always have something to do when you retire in Fitchburg, MA. This lovely town is home to Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, a wonderful spot for summer hikes and winter skiing. Other local parks include Crow Hill and Pearl Hill State Park, so you can stay healthy and enjoy Mother Nature at her finest.
7. West Springfield
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.9%
- Median Home Value: $225,100
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 138
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 969
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 12
Retiring in West Springfield means you have a peaceful home in a thriving urban community. You can enjoy everything that Springfield has to offer, including the city’s intriguing museums and local parks, without being surrounded by the constant noise of the city.
8. New Bedford
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.1%
- Median Home Value: $226,900
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 628
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,128
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5
New Bedford is a charming harbor town on the shores of Buzzards Bay, a popular fishing destination. Retiring in New Bedford means investing in beachfront living with a lighthouse and lots of East Coast charm. On days when you don’t want to go to the beach or venture out on a boat, you can explore the New Bedford Whaling Museum or the Buttonwood Park Zoo.
9. Worcester
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.6%
- Median Home Value: $227,100
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 1,199
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 3,970
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 11
Worcester is a comfortable community in Massachusetts, perfect for retirees who want to enjoy peace and privacy, while still having easy access to Boston. Living in Worcester, you will be immersed in New England’s natural beauty. Tower Hill Botanic Garden is a tranquil space, perfect for any nature lovers. For a fun afternoon with the grandkids, head over to the hands on EcoTarium, a science and nature museum.
10. Agawam
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 21.4%
- Median Home Value: $230,700
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 82
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 376
- Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 12
Agawam is ideal for anyone looking for a peaceful city where they can enjoy their golden years of retirement. The Robinson State Park offers a natural setting with rivers, mountains, wetlands, and streams making this region a serene place to live.
Common Questions About Retiring in Massachusetts
On average, a retired couple renting a home will need $42,252 a year for a comfortable life in Massachusetts. If a couple owns their home, they will need on average $38,424.
While Massachusetts fully exempts income from Social Security or pensions from state taxes, income from all retirement savings accounts is taxed.
Yes, check out these first-time homebuyer programs in Massachusetts.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Springfield | 12.6% | 1,404 | 4,070 | 12 | $156,200 |
| Pittsfield | 20.3% | 300 | 796 | 1 | $174,300 |
| Chicopee | 18.4% | 340 | 1,320 | 9 | $182,100 |
| Gardner | 15.4% | 70 | 314 | 6 | $185,700 |
| Holyoke | 14.2% | 347 | 1,513 | 8 | $195,800 |
| Fitchburg | 13.5% | 220 | 548 | 11 | $196,600 |
| West Springfield | 15.9% | 138 | 969 | 12 | $225,100 |
| New Bedford | 15.1% | 628 | 2,128 | 5 | $226,900 |
| Worcester | 13.6% | 1,199 | 3,970 | 11 | $227,100 |
| Agawam | 21.4% | 82 | 376 | 12 | $230,700 |
| Ludlow | 18.7% | 63 | 199 | 9 | $232,300 |
| Westfield | 17.3% | 88 | 410 | 10 | $234,400 |
| Leominster | 15.9% | 239 | 599 | 12 | $241,800 |
| Fall River | 16.6% | 773 | 1,075 | 11 | $242,200 |
| Brockton | 13.1% | 782 | 1,856 | 23 | $264,800 |
| Lowell | 11.0% | 408 | 1,670 | 30 | $269,800 |
| Lawrence | 10.4% | 541 | 956 | 21 | $271,100 |
| Taunton | 15.1% | 217 | 346 | 17 | $271,800 |
| Easton | 23.4% | 46 | 156 | 30 | $276,900 |
| Wareham | 21.2% | 161 | 323 | 6 | $277,000 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city. NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Other Massachusetts Resources
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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