CountyScore

Suffolk County

Massachusetts · MA

#12 in Massachusetts
56.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Suffolk edges above national livability baseline

Suffolk County's composite score of 54.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally. The county performs slightly better than typical U.S. communities, though Massachusetts standards are considerably higher.

Below Massachusetts average despite urban assets

At 54.0, Suffolk trails the state average of 57.1 by 3.1 points, ranking in the middle of Massachusetts counties. This underperformance reflects the county's urban density and income challenges despite its housing-related tax advantages.

Urban tax efficiency and lowest tax burden

Suffolk's tax score of 83.5 is the second-highest in this group, with an effective rate of 0.666%—the lowest among all six counties. This tax efficiency partially offsets the county's other livability constraints for residents focused on tax burden.

Income levels are substantially lower

Suffolk's income score of 44.0 and median household income of $92,859 are notably lower than affluent neighbors, reflecting Boston's economic diversity. Cost score of 34.3 shows housing remains expensive at $680,700 median home value despite relative income constraints; safety, health, schools, and environmental data are unavailable.

For urban professionals prioritizing access

Suffolk County—which includes Boston—suits career-focused individuals and younger professionals who value walkable urban neighborhoods and cultural amenities over suburban space and higher incomes. If you earn under $100,000 but embrace city living and can navigate high housing costs, Suffolk delivers unmatched urban convenience.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax83.5Cost34.3SafetyComing SoonHealth80.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome44Risk6.5WaterComing Soon
🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠34.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Suffolk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Palm Beach County
Florida
56.6
Median income: $81,115
Franklin County
Ohio
56.6
Median income: $73,795
Todd County
South Dakota
56.6
Median income: $39,148
Johnson County
Texas
56.6
Median income: $81,826
Parker County
Texas
56.6
Median income: $102,099

Deep Dives

Suffolk County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Suffolk County

via CostByCounty

Suffolk: Boston's brutal affordability crisis

Suffolk County renters spend 26.7% of their income on rent—the worst ratio in Massachusetts and far above the national average of 19.3%—despite a median household income of $92,859. This urban county, anchored by Boston, exemplifies how concentrated wealth and constrained supply create severe affordability crises.

Least affordable county in Massachusetts

Suffolk's 26.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks as Massachusetts's worst affordability measure, more than 7 percentage points above the state average of 19.3%. The county's $2,069 median rent approaches suburban levels, yet incomes lag suburban counties by $30,000–$35,000, creating a perfect storm of unaffordability.

Urban core pays double nearby suburbs

Suffolk's rent burden of 26.7% shatters adjacent Norfolk (19.7%) and Middlesex (20.1%), while its median income of $92,859 trails both by $34,000. Boston and inner suburbs (Suffolk) face a fundamentally different housing market than outer suburbs—same rents, far lower incomes.

Renters squeezed harder than anywhere

Suffolk renters pay $2,069 monthly—26.7% of just $92,859 in median income—while homeowners spend $2,354 or 30.4%, the highest ownership burden in the state. This county's lower incomes combined with urban-core rents create the state's most acute housing stress.

Boston living requires significant income

Suffolk County only pencils out for earners above $120,000—significantly higher than surrounding counties—making it poorly suited for average-income relocators. If you're considering a Boston move but earn under $110,000, suburban Plymouth, Norfolk, or Worcester offer identical urban access with dramatically better affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Suffolk County

via HealthByCounty

Suffolk's health outcomes lag nationally

Suffolk County residents live to 80.1 years on average, just 1.2 years above the U.S. average of 78.9 years, a modest difference for Massachusetts. At 17.0% reporting poor or fair health, Suffolk significantly exceeds the national rate of 15.3%, the highest poor/fair health rate among these six counties.

Among Massachusetts's health challenges

Suffolk County's 80.1-year life expectancy edges just 0.4 years above the state average of 79.7 years, the lowest performer in this group. The 17.0% poor/fair health rate is the highest statewide among these six counties, indicating concentrated health disparities.

Struggling relative to wealthier suburbs

Suffolk County's 80.1-year life expectancy lags significantly behind Nantucket (82.8 years), Middlesex (81.5 years), and Norfolk (81.2 years). The 17.0% poor/fair health rate far exceeds all comparison counties, reflecting unique urban health challenges and socioeconomic pressures.

Highest provider density masks disparities

Suffolk has 157 primary care providers and 1,109 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the highest numbers in this group, yet health outcomes remain the poorest. With a 3.1% uninsured rate—higher than the state average of 3.0%—access barriers extend beyond provider availability to affordability and health literacy.

Coverage is your health foundation

In Suffolk County, where health disparities run deep, comprehensive insurance is essential armor against medical debt and preventable illness. Visit healthcare.gov or MassHealth today to explore coverage options and connect with providers addressing health equity in your neighborhood.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Suffolk County

via RiskByCounty

Suffolk faces notably elevated disaster risk

Suffolk County scores 93.51 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively moderate category—well above the national average. This score reflects substantial urban and coastal exposure across multiple hazard categories, with minimal wildfire risk offsetting other concerns.

Third-highest risk county in Massachusetts

Suffolk ranks third-riskiest in Massachusetts, with a composite score of 93.51 compared to the state average of 78.84. The county's 19% elevation above the state baseline reflects concentrated vulnerability in densely populated Boston and surrounding areas.

Among the state's most vulnerable counties

Suffolk's 93.51 score exceeds regional peers Plymouth (90.36) and trails only Middlesex (96.95) and Worcester (93.54). The county's urban concentration amplifies earthquake risk (94.97) and tornado risk (75.35) compared to more rural neighbors.

Earthquakes and floods are critical threats

Earthquake risk peaks at 94.97, while flood risk reaches 94.72—both among Massachusetts's highest, driven by dense development and coastal exposure. Hurricane risk (93.66) and tornado risk (75.35) round out Suffolk's profile; wildfire risk remains negligible at 8.97.

Earthquake and flood coverage are essential

Boston and inner suburbs face exceptional earthquake risk (94.97), requiring dedicated earthquake insurance beyond standard policies. Flood coverage is equally critical given your county's 94.72 flood risk; bundling both with your homeowners policy provides comprehensive protection for Suffolk's primary hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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