countyscore

Suffolk County, Massachusetts — County Report Card

MA

#13 in Massachusetts

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
42.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 93.3Health 86.3Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Struggling Against National Averages

Suffolk County’s composite score of 43.0 falls well below the national median of 50.0. While urban amenities are high, social and environmental challenges impact the overall livability index.

Trailing Behind State Peers

At 43.0, Suffolk is significantly lower than the Massachusetts average of 48.6. As the state's urban hub, it faces unique pressures that are less prevalent in the surrounding suburban counties.

Competitive Taxes and High Incomes

The county performs well with an Income Score of 92.9 and a Tax Score of 66.8. A relatively lower effective tax rate of 0.666% helps residents keep more of their $92,859 median income.

Safety Concerns and High Costs

Safety is a primary concern with a score of 15.0, while the Cost Score remains low at 1.1. Median rents are a steep $2,069, making it difficult for many to live near their place of work.

Tailored for Young Urban Professionals

Suffolk suits those who prioritize proximity to jobs, culture, and lower-than-average tax rates over safety and quiet. It is the go-to for high-energy individuals willing to trade space for city access.

20406080100651.11586.35193.36.58656.3Tax65Cost1.1Safety15Health86.3Schools51Income93.3Risk6.5Water86Weather56.342.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Suffolk County DNA

Foverall

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

Suffolk County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (93.3/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (1.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
65+13
Cost
1.1-46.9
Safety
15-40
Health
86.3+36.3
Schools
51
Income
93.3+42.3
Risk
6.5-40.5
Water
86+28
Weather
56.3
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Compare mortgage rates in Suffolk County

Whether buying or refinancing in Suffolk County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$705,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$2,129/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$705,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$85,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum7.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $95,631/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

62.4

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Norfolk County
Massachusetts
51
Middlesex County
Massachusetts
50.6
Plymouth County
Massachusetts
48.8
Essex County
Massachusetts
48.2
Providence County
Rhode Island
37.1
Bristol County
Massachusetts
45
Worcester County
Massachusetts
46.8
Bristol County
Rhode Island
58.5

Deep Dives

Suffolk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Suffolk County

via TaxByCounty

Suffolk's moderate rate still outpaces national average

Suffolk County's effective tax rate of 0.666% is the lowest among the six-county region, yet still nearly 2.5 times the national median rate. Residents pay $4,533 annually on a median home value of $680,700, making Suffolk considerably more tax-friendly than neighboring Middlesex and Norfolk.

Second-most tax-friendly Massachusetts county

Suffolk County's effective tax rate of 0.666% ranks second-lowest in the state, behind only Nantucket's 0.215% and well below the state average of 1.065%. The county's median property tax of $4,533 is the lowest among the six counties analyzed, providing significant relief for homeowners.

Clear tax advantage in a high-tax region

Suffolk County's 0.666% rate is dramatically lower than Middlesex (1.054%), Norfolk (1.090%), and Plymouth (1.237%), yet significantly higher than Nantucket's exceptional 0.215%. Only Worcester County at 1.333% substantially exceeds Suffolk's already-favorable rate among the six-county group.

Your median annual property tax bill

A Suffolk County homeowner with a median-valued property of $680,700 pays approximately $4,533 annually in property taxes. This translates to just $378 per month, offering meaningful savings compared to neighboring counties with similarly-priced homes.

Even favorable rates warrant verification

Suffolk County's relatively low tax rate doesn't guarantee accurate assessments for every homeowner in the county. Residents should review their property valuations and consider appeals if they believe their assessed values don't reflect fair market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Suffolk County

via IncomeByCounty

Suffolk earns 24% above national average

Suffolk County's median household income of $92,859 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 24%, powered by Boston's dense concentration of hospitals, universities, law firms, and financial institutions. However, the urban county lags peers outside the city proper.

Below-average for Massachusetts

Suffolk ranks fifth among the six featured counties at $92,859, below the state average of $96,546. Boston's inclusion pulls down the county average despite pockets of wealth in downtown and Back Bay.

Lagging suburbs, matching working class

Suffolk's $92,859 median trails wealthy suburbs (Middlesex, Norfolk, Nantucket, Plymouth) by $16,000–$34,000, though it edges Worcester ($93,561). The county's income split reflects Boston's mix of professional jobs and lower-wage service work.

Housing costs pinch household budgets

Suffolk's rent-to-income ratio of 26.7% is the highest among these counties, approaching the 30% affordability ceiling. Combined with median home values of $680,700, renters and would-be homebuyers face real affordability stress.

Plan deliberately despite high costs

Suffolk residents earning $92,859 median must budget carefully around housing to save for retirement and investments. Consider consulting a financial advisor to navigate Boston's high cost of living and protect long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Suffolk County

via CrimeByCounty

Suffolk County Mirrors National Crime Trends

Suffolk County’s total crime rate of 2,384.3 per 100K is nearly identical to the national average of 2,385.5. It maintains a safety score of 96.2, indicating it faces more urban challenges than its neighbors.

Facing Greater Challenges Than State Peers

Within Massachusetts, Suffolk has a crime rate nearly 1,000 points higher than the state average of 1,458.6. This places it below the state's average safety score of 97.7.

Urban Density Impacts Regional Comparisons

Suffolk’s rate of 2,384.3 per 100K is the highest among its neighbors, including Norfolk (1,031.4) and Middlesex (1,197.5). High population density in the Boston area contributes to these elevated figures.

Breakdown of Violent and Property Incidents

Violent crime is 590.7 per 100K, which is higher than both state and national averages. Property crime is 1,793.6 per 100K, though this actually remains lower than the national average of 2,015.7.

Prioritizing Home Security in Suffolk

Because crime rates here align with national averages, robust home security is essential for urban residents. Using smart cameras and alarm systems can effectively deter property-related incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Suffolk County

via WeatherByCounty

Massachusetts' Urban Heat Hub

Suffolk County is the warmest in this group, with an average annual temperature of 51.5°F. This exceeds the national median, largely due to the urban heat island effect centered in Boston.

The State's Temperature Leader

Suffolk ranks well above the 49.5°F state average, making it the warmest county in Massachusetts. Its precipitation levels are slightly below the state average, totaling 46.5 inches annually.

Warmer Than Surrounding Suburbs

Suffolk is nearly two degrees warmer on average than neighboring Middlesex County. It also experiences more extreme heat days (17) than Norfolk (14) or Middlesex (15) due to its dense urban footprint.

Sizzling Julys and Brisk Winters

Summer peaks in July with a 74.3°F average, the highest in the region, including 17 days over 90°F. Despite the heat, the county still sees 49.2 inches of snow during the 31.6°F winter season.

Cooling is the Priority

Robust air conditioning is vital here to combat the 17 days of extreme heat and high urban temperatures. Residents should also keep snow shovels ready for the nearly 50 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Suffolk County

via SoilByCounty

Urban Soil Dynamics

In the urban heart of Suffolk County, specific soil pH and taxonomic data remain limited in the current record. Most soils in this metropolitan area are heavily influenced by historical land reclamation and human activity.

Complex Anthropogenic Mixes

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not specified for Suffolk, reflecting the complexity of urban soil mapping. Many city soils differ greatly from the natural glaciated till of the surrounding Massachusetts countryside.

Composting for Success

While organic matter data is unavailable, urban growers can strive to match the state average of 29.25% through intensive composting. Amendments are often necessary to overcome the lack of natural water-holding capacity in city environments.

Navigating City Drainage

Drainage data is unlisted, which is common in areas with significant paved surfaces and artificial drainage systems. Urban gardeners should prioritize raised beds to manage moisture levels and ensure soil purity.

Warm Growing in Zone 7a

Suffolk’s Zone 7a climate is one of the warmest in the state, allowing for a slightly longer growing season. It is a fantastic place for urban agriculture, especially for heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Suffolk County

via LawnByCounty

Suffolk County: A Lawn Care Leader

Suffolk County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 73.3, the highest in the region and far easier than the national average of 50.0. The warmer Zone 7a climate provides a longer growing window than most of Massachusetts. This makes it an ideal location for achieving a dense and vibrant lawn with less effort.

Warm Summers and Plentiful Sun

Suffolk records 17 extreme heat days annually, the highest in the state, which accelerates growth but requires diligent watering. The 3048 growing degree days provide a robust season for grass to mature and recover from wear. With 46.5 inches of rain, the county stays well-hydrated despite the urban heat island effect.

Managing Urban Soil Conditions

Specific soil data is limited for Suffolk, but urban environments often face issues with compaction and variable drainage. Focus on core aeration to allow air and water to penetrate the soil through the busy 3048 growing degree days. Regular top-dressing with compost can improve the soil structure where natural data is missing.

Minimal Drought Impact in the City

Over the past year, Suffolk County only dealt with 11 weeks of drought, keeping it relatively lush. Currently, 100% of the area is abnormally dry, which is a common seasonal trend for the region. Consistent irrigation during the 17 annual heat days will keep your grass from entering dormancy prematurely.

Maxmize Your Suffolk Growing Season

Heat-tolerant varieties like tall fescue are perfect for the 17 extreme heat days Suffolk experiences. You can start planting as early as April 19, taking advantage of the earlier spring thaw in Zone 7a. The late frost on November 9 also allows for successful fall renovation projects.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Suffolk County's county score?
Suffolk County, Massachusetts has a composite county score of 42.7 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 Suffolk County rank among counties in Massachusetts?
Suffolk County ranks #13 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 Suffolk County, Massachusetts?
The median annual property tax in Suffolk County is $4,649, with an effective tax rate of 0.66%. This earns Suffolk County a tax score of 65/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Suffolk County?
The median household income in Suffolk County, Massachusetts is $95,631 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Suffolk County earns an income score of 93.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Suffolk County, Massachusetts a good place to live?
Suffolk County scores 42.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Massachusetts. The best way to evaluate Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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.