Massachusetts 

71 Reviews | Review This Place

Subscription Benefits

Download our City ReportsDownload our City Reports

Health in Massachusetts

The health of Massachusetts residents is largely dependent on the quality of local hospitals and medical facilities. The state is home to some of the best providers in the country, and a variety of healthcare options are available for its citizens. In addition to having a wide range of hospitals and medical centers, Massachusetts also has an extensive network of community-based health centers that provide primary care services and mental health resources in many communities. These centers are especially helpful to lower income individuals who may not be able to access private care. Additionally, Massachusetts is well-known for its robust preventive care programs that help people stay healthy by providing vaccination and screenings. All in all, Massachusetts provides comprehensive healthcare options that promote a high quality of life for its citizens.

The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.


PHYSICIANS PER CAPITA

There are 306 physicians per 100,000 population in Massachusetts. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.


HEALTH COST INDEX

The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Massachusetts area is 82.8 (lower=better). The US average is 100.

82.8 / 100

Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.


WATER QUALITY INDEX

The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Massachusetts area is 40 (100=best). The US average is 55.

40 / 100

Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.


SUPERFUND INDEX

The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Massachusetts area is 16 (100=best). The US average is 87.

16 / 100

The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.


QUICK FACTS
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Massachusetts commutes 29.3 minutes one-way, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

AIR QUALITY INDEX

The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Massachusetts area is 65 (100=best). The US average is 58.

65 / 100

This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.

Air Quality Health Risk

Health Map
  • Physicians per Capita (US Avg: 261)
Select Map Options
  • Physicians per Capita
  • Superfund Sites
  • Air Quality
  • Reset Map

  • View More Data >

    Reviews for Massachusetts    71 Reviews
    Secondary education - 6/14/2015
    Massachusetts offers exceptional college options from its highly regarded state system to a significant number of private colleges. Massachusetts is home to some... Read More

    Start Your Review of Massachusetts


    Massachusetts - 6/3/2015
    Massachusetts, especially the Boston area, is a great place to live. Well over 50 colleges and universities within a 100 mile radius so the entire region is always... Read More

    florida - 4/26/2015
    considering moving to fla naplles cape coral more interested in the gulf side would like to spend 225 pros and cons it is so cold here almost may and I have the heat on... Read More


    View More Data >

    COMPARE COST OF LIVING
    Compare Massachusetts to any other place in the USA.

    MAPS OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Massachusetts
    ZIP CODES IN MASSACHUSETTS
    02148, 02301, 02155, 02360, 02169, 02124, 02151, 01960, 02780, 01844, ... 536 more

    PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP

    Members receive 10 FREE city profile downloads a month, unlimited access to our detailed cost of living calculator and analysis, downloadable reports, and more.

    Try Now
    Join BestPlaces