5 Best States To Live In: 2023 Rankings

4. Massachusetts

Insider Monkey Score: 50 

Massachusetts may have a higher cost of living, particularly for housing, than the national average, but its high median household income of $89,026, which is 28.9% higher than the national median household income of $69,021, helps to balance out these costs. Furthermore, the state has implemented various initiatives to provide affordable housing, including the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. Massachusetts is also renowned for its exceptional academic institutions, including Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).