Best Counties for Retirement in Massachusetts 2026
14 counties ranked with the Retiree lens of the County Fit Score.
Top 5 Retirement Counties in Massachusetts
All 14 Retirement-Ranked Counties in Massachusetts
| Rank | County | County Fit Score | baseline CountyScore | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dukes County, MA | 65.1 | 61.3 | +3.8 |
| 2 | Nantucket County, MA | 61.3 | 55.7 | +5.6 |
| 3 | Barnstable County, MA | 55.9 | 58 | -2.1 |
| 4 | Franklin County, MA | 49.1 | 46.2 | +2.9 |
| 5 | Norfolk County, MA | 48.7 | 51.1 | -2.4 |
| 6 | Middlesex County, MA | 47.4 | 50.7 | -3.3 |
| 7 | Essex County, MA | 47.1 | 48.3 | -1.2 |
| 8 | Hampshire County, MA | 47 | 49.4 | -2.4 |
| 9 | Plymouth County, MA | 45.7 | 48.7 | -3 |
| 10 | Suffolk County, MA | 45.4 | 43 | +2.4 |
| 11 | Worcester County, MA | 43.6 | 46.8 | -3.2 |
| 12 | Berkshire County, MA | 42.5 | 44.1 | -1.6 |
| 13 | Bristol County, MA | 41.8 | 45 | -3.2 |
| 14 | Hampden County, MA | 30.6 | 32.8 | -2.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best county for retirement in Massachusetts?
Based on the Retiree lens, Dukes County ranks as the top retirement county in Massachusetts with a County Fit Score of 65.1. The baseline CountyScore remains visible for context.
How many counties in Massachusetts are ranked for retirement?
We rank 14 counties in Massachusetts with the Retiree lens, using independent importance values for health, safety, taxes, cost, disaster risk, water, and weather.
Also Browse Massachusetts Counties For
Retirement Rankings by State
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, 2019-2023 ACS — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.