Employment Crisis
In May of 2026, Massachusetts unemployment was 4.5%. Of the 50 other states and DC, 32 were lower, 15 were higher and 2 were level.
States Below MA
32 of 50
+ DC · lower rate · May of 2026
Net Jobs 2025
−4,500
Declining employment
Layoffs YTD
323K
+13.7% vs 2024
⚠️ Critical Employment Indicators
MA was the only state to extend benefits to 30 weeks
September 2025: worst month since COVID
Graduates: 5.76% unemployment, 34% underemployed
Insured unemployment: 2.7% (5th highest nationally)
State Unemployment Rankings
Source: BLS LAUS, May of 2026
MA vs US Historical Trend
Source: BLS LAUS, 2019–2025
Housing Unattainability
The median MA family cannot afford the median MA home. Prices have risen 55% since 2019.
Median Price
$638K
Statewide · +3.7% YoY
Greater Boston
$800K
Metro median
Income Needed
$171K
28% DTI rule
Housing Deficit
222K
Units needed
MA Median Home Price Trend
Source: Warren Group, 2019–2025
Regional Price Comparison ($K)
Source: MLS PIN, Warren Group
Affordability Calculation
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Median Home | $638,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $127,600 |
| Monthly @ 6.1% | $3,996 |
| Income Needed | $171,257 |
| Median HH Income | $103,960 |
| Gap | −$67,297 (39% short) |
⚡ Electricity Crisis
Massachusetts residential electricity runs — above the national average: — vs — per kWh.
Massachusetts Electricity Rate
—
Per kilowatt-hour — — higher than the national average of —/kWh. —
National Average
—
MA Premium
—
Extra /month for typical household
Residential Rate
—
per kWh (Apr 2026)
Industrial Rate
—
+134% vs US
Rate Growth
—
Since 2014 · US —
Annual Extra Cost
vs national avg
🏆 Highest Residential Rates — Massachusetts vs Peer States
— · Peer-state rates: EIA Table 5.6.A, February 2026; Massachusetts tracks the latest EIA release.
MA vs US Rates (2014–latest)
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly · final point is the latest EIA release
Massachusetts vs Peer States
Source: EIA Table 5.6.A · peer states as of February 2026
Monthly Bill Breakdown
Source: Eversource rate schedules
Extra Annual Cost vs US Average
Source: EIA, 2014–2026
Real MA Electric Bills — Policy Charges at 17%
| Bill Total | Policy Charge (17%) | Location | Source |
|---|
| $427 | $73/month | Easthampton 2BR apt | WCVB |
| $709 | $121/month | Billerica home | WBUR |
| $853 | $145/month | Stoughton (with solar!) | Boston Globe |
🚨 Recent Rate Increases
Eversource electricity: +12.3% (Aug 1, 2025)
Eversource electricity: +5.01% (Feb 1, 2026)
National Grid gas delivery: +63% (Nov 1, 2024)
Eversource gas delivery: +24-28% (Nov 1, 2024)
Income by Occupation
Despite having the highest median income nationally, 7 of 15 common occupations pay below the living wage.
Median HH
$103,960
#1 nationally
Living Wage
$60,080
Single adult
Below Threshold
7 of 15
Common jobs
Real Growth
+4.1%
vs 5.5% national
Salary vs Living Wage ($60,080)
Source: BLS OES, May 2024
The Affordability Crisis
The gap between what families need and what they earn continues to widen every year.
Consumption vs Income Growth (%)
Living Wage Thresholds
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator (2025)
✓
Top 10%
Comfortable
Housing, savings, and discretionary spending
⚠️
Median (50th)
Treading Water
Meeting basics with no margin
✗
Bottom 60%
Drowning
Cannot afford basic expenses
$313,747 to live comfortably. Median family income: $140,309. The math doesn't work.
Massachusetts is the most expensive state to raise a family — and the gap is growing.