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Middlesex County, Massachusetts — County Report Card

MA

#5 in Massachusetts

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
50.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 99.1Health 98.8Schools 83.7

County Report Card

About Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Slightly Outperforming the National Median

Middlesex County earns a composite score of 50.7, placing it just above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a balance of elite economic opportunities tempered by extreme cost of living pressures.

A Strong Performer in Massachusetts

The county's 50.7 score comfortably exceeds the Massachusetts state average of 48.6. It remains a primary engine of the state economy while maintaining high standards for public services.

Elite Incomes and Health Outcomes

Middlesex excels with a near-perfect Income Score of 99.1 and a Health Score of 98.8. Residents benefit from a staggering median household income of $126,779 and world-class medical infrastructure.

Struggling with Cost and Risk

The Cost Score is a near-bottom 0.8, driven by a median home value of $687,200 and rents averaging $2,126. Additionally, the Risk Score of 3.1 indicates high vulnerability to environmental stressors compared to the national average.

Ideal for High-Earning Professionals

This county is a premier choice for affluent families who prioritize top-tier schools and health services. Those who can afford the high entry price will find one of the most prosperous environments in the country.

2040608010033.20.846.898.883.799.13.16852.8Tax33.2Cost0.8Safety46.8Health98.8Schools83.7Income99.1Risk3.1Water68Weather52.850.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Middlesex County DNA

Foverall

How Middlesex County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Middlesex County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (98.8/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (0.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
33.2-18.799999999999997
Cost
0.8-47.2
Safety
46.8-8.200000000000003
Health
98.8+48.8
Schools
83.7+29.700000000000003
Income
99.1+48.099999999999994
Risk
3.1-43.9
Water
68+10
Weather
52.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$727,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$2,201/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$727,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$88,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $130,847/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Counties with similar scores

Sussex County
Delaware
Median income: $81,497
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St. Johns County
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Rabun County
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Tattnall County
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Randolph County
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Yadkin County
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Lebanon County
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Median income: $78,425
50.6

Nearby counties

Suffolk County
Massachusetts
42.7
Norfolk County
Massachusetts
51
Worcester County
Massachusetts
46.8
Essex County
Massachusetts
48.2
Hillsborough County
New Hampshire
39.5
Rockingham County
New Hampshire
48.9
Providence County
Rhode Island
37.1
Plymouth County
Massachusetts
48.8

Deep Dives

Middlesex County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Middlesex County

via TaxByCounty

Middlesex taxes nearly triple the national average

Middlesex County's effective tax rate of 1.054% significantly exceeds the national median, with residents paying $7,240 annually compared to the national median of $2,690. This places Middlesex in the upper tier of tax burden nationwide, though the county's median home value of $687,200 is 2.4 times the national median.

Slightly below Massachusetts average

Middlesex's effective tax rate of 1.054% ranks just below the state average of 1.065%, making it a middle-ground option within Massachusetts. The county's median property tax of $7,240 exceeds the state median of $5,149 by about $2,100 annually.

Moderate taxes in a high-tax region

Among its New England neighbors, Middlesex falls between Norfolk County (1.090%) and Nantucket County (0.215%), with Plymouth County (1.237%) and Worcester County (1.333%) taxing residents considerably more. Suffolk County residents enjoy the lowest rate at 0.666%, making it the most tax-friendly county in the immediate region.

Your median annual property tax bill

A homeowner with a $687,200 median-valued property in Middlesex can expect to pay approximately $7,240 annually in property taxes. This translates to roughly $604 per month, making property taxes a significant ongoing cost for county residents.

You may be overassessed

Many Middlesex County homeowners are unaware they may be paying more in property taxes than necessary due to assessment errors. Homeowners can file an appeal with their local assessor's office to review their property valuation and potentially reduce their annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Middlesex County

via IncomeByCounty

Middlesex earns 70% above U.S. average

Middlesex County's median household income of $126,779 towers 70% above the national median of $74,755. This places Middlesex among the nation's wealthiest counties, reflecting the region's concentration of tech, biotech, and professional services jobs.

Second-richest county in Massachusetts

Middlesex ranks second in the state by median household income at $126,779, just above the state average of $96,546. Only one Massachusetts county outpaces it in household earning power.

Outearns most Massachusetts neighbors

Middlesex's $126,779 median exceeds Norfolk County ($126,497) by a hair and Plymouth County ($109,698) by 15%. Among its peers, Middlesex stands as a wealth anchor in the Boston metro region.

Incomes stretch to cover housing costs

A rent-to-income ratio of 20.1% means residents spend one-fifth of earnings on rent—comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold. With median home values at $687,200, many households need dual incomes or substantial savings to purchase.

Build wealth beyond the paycheck

Middlesex residents earning $126,779 median have real capacity to invest in retirement, education, and real estate beyond basic housing. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize tax-advantaged accounts and diversify assets in this high-earning region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Middlesex County

via CrimeByCounty

Middlesex County Outshines National Safety Averages

Middlesex County is significantly safer than the national benchmark, boasting an impressive 98.1 safety score. Its total crime rate of 1,197.5 per 100K is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5.

A Leader in Massachusetts Public Safety

Within Massachusetts, Middlesex outperforms the state average safety score of 97.7. Its crime rate sits 261 points below the state average of 1,458.6 per 100K, making it a statewide leader in security.

Lower Crime Rates Than Urban Neighbors

Compared to nearby Suffolk County's high rate of 2,384.3, Middlesex maintains a much lower crime profile. It also edges out Worcester County's rate of 1,203.3 per 100K, proving its regional stability.

Low Violent Crime Defines the Region

Property crime accounts for the majority of incidents at 1,009.0 per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 188.5. These figures reflect a community where serious safety threats are rare compared to the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Preserving Your High Safety Standard

Even with a top-tier safety score of 98.1, residents should maintain basic home security awareness. Simple steps like updated lighting and smart locks help keep Middlesex among the safest counties in the country.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Middlesex County

via WeatherByCounty

Middlesex County's Humid Continental Climate

Middlesex County maintains an average annual temperature of 49.7°F, placing it slightly below the national median. This humid continental climate is characterized by four distinct seasons and reliable precipitation throughout the year.

Matching the Massachusetts Average

The county's 49.7°F annual average is nearly identical to the Massachusetts state average of 49.5°F. It serves as a thermal middle ground for the state, avoiding the coastal extremes and the higher-elevation chills of the west.

Bridging the Coast and Central Hills

Middlesex is cooler than neighboring Suffolk County at 51.5°F but warmer than Worcester County to the west. Its 47.8 inches of annual precipitation closely mirrors the state average, keeping the landscape lush.

Warm Summers and Snowy Winters

July brings an average of 72.9°F with about 15 days of extreme heat reaching 90°F or higher. Conversely, winters are cold with a 29.1°F average and significant snowfall totaling 56.1 inches annually.

Preparing for Variable Weather

Residents should invest in heavy-duty snow removal equipment to manage the 56.1 inches of annual snowfall. High-efficiency HVAC systems are essential to handle both the 15 extreme heat days and the 26.6°F January lows.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Middlesex County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Foundations in Middlesex

Middlesex features a highly acidic soil profile with a pH of 3.17, significantly lower than the national median of 6.5. While specific taxonomic orders are unclassified in the record, the overall soil score of 64.5 indicates a high-quality foundation that beats the state average of 50.8.

A Light and Workable Texture

The soil is 39.0% sand, 21.5% silt, and a small 3.9% clay fraction. This composition creates a light texture that is easy to work and resists the heavy compaction common in clay-heavy regions.

Exceptional Organic Richness

Fertility is a major highlight here, as organic matter sits at 35.86%, well above the state average of 29.25%. With an available water capacity of 0.212 in/in, these soils hold moisture effectively to support intensive plant growth.

Managing the Flow

While specific drainage classes are not recorded, the sandy-silt mix typically indicates moderate to rapid drainage. Local growers should assess site-specific hydrologic groups to manage runoff effectively in this landscape.

Thriving in Zone 6b

Middlesex sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, which is ideal for hardy perennials and cold-weather vegetables. The high organic content makes this a prime location to start a lush home garden today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Middlesex County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Lawn Challenges in Middlesex County

Middlesex County earns a lawn difficulty score of 42.6, making it tougher to maintain grass here than the national median of 50.0. This Hardiness Zone 6b region faces more hurdles than the state average score of 56.8. Local homeowners must work harder to keep turf healthy in this environment.

Stable Rains Paired with Summer Heat

The county receives 47.8 inches of annual precipitation, which sits perfectly within the ideal range for grass growth. However, residents navigate 15 extreme heat days per year, significantly higher than the state average of nine days. These spikes require more frequent irrigation and careful mowing to avoid heat stress.

Correcting Highly Acidic Soil Foundations

Local soil pH averages a very acidic 3.17, far below the 6.0 to 7.0 range that lawns prefer. The soil composition is 39.0% sand, which helps with drainage but provides little natural nutrient retention. Extensive lime applications are necessary to balance the chemistry for successful growth.

Managing a Year of Abnormal Dryness

Middlesex County experienced 39 weeks of drought over the past year, with 100% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. To preserve water, homeowners should irrigate deeply and infrequently during the early morning hours. Maintaining a higher grass height also helps shade the soil and retain moisture.

Start Your Middlesex Lawn This Spring

Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass thrive in Zone 6b and provide excellent durability for Massachusetts yards. Aim to start your seeding or sodding projects shortly after the last spring frost on April 28. With proper soil prep, you can establish a resilient lawn before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Middlesex County's county score?
Middlesex County, Massachusetts has a composite county score of 50.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Middlesex County rank among counties in Massachusetts?
Middlesex County ranks #5 among all counties in Massachusetts on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?
The median annual property tax in Middlesex County is $7,501, with an effective tax rate of 1.03%. This earns Middlesex County a tax score of 33.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Middlesex County?
The median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is $130,847 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Middlesex County earns an income score of 99.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Middlesex County, Massachusetts a good place to live?
Middlesex County scores 50.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Massachusetts. The best way to evaluate Middlesex County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Middlesex County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.