📅 Interactive Timeline — Drag to Explore
📈 Unemployment Trend
💵 Cost of Living Premium
Employment Crisis
Massachusetts ranks 44th in unemployment — worse than 86% of states. 2025 was the worst year since COVID recovery began.
MA unemployment has risen for 8 consecutive months. The state labor market is significantly weaker than the national average for the first time since 2014.
Only 7 states have higher unemployment: Nevada, California, DC, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, and Washington.
September 2025 was the worst single month (-11,100 jobs) since the COVID shutdowns of 2020.
Tech sector layoffs lead the way, with biotech and healthcare following. Major employers like State Street and Biogen have announced significant cuts.
⚠️ Critical Employment Indicators
🏆 State Rankings
📊 Historical Trend
Housing Unattainability
The median Massachusetts family cannot afford the median Massachusetts home. Prices have risen 55% since 2019.
📈 Price Trend
🗺️ Regional Comparison
💰 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 | $104,800 |
| Gap | −$66,457 (39% short) |
⚡ Electricity Crisis
Massachusetts has the 3rd highest electricity rates in the nation. Residents pay 74% more than the national average — an extra $1,188 per year per household.
🏆 State Electricity Rankings — Residential (October 2025)
📈 MA vs US Rates (2014-2025)
🏆 State Comparison (Oct 2025)
💡 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 |
📋 What "Public Benefits" Includes
📊 Monthly Bill Breakdown
💸 Extra Annual Cost vs US Average
🚨 Recent Rate Increases
📋 Official Data Sources
| Data Point | Source |
|---|---|
| State electricity rates (31.37¢) | EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (Oct 2025) |
| Bill breakdown (40/30/17/13%) | Eversource official breakdown (Dec 2025, Western Mass News) |
| Policy cost analysis (~29% total) | State Senator Will Brownsberger, DPU analysis |
| Real bill examples | WCVB, WBUR, Boston Globe reporting |
| Rate filings | MA DPU Docket D.P.U. 24-150, D.P.U. 25-200 |
| Mass Save budget ($1.5B/yr) | MA DOER, Mass Save program filings |
| Historical rates | EIA State Electricity Profiles |
Inflation Squeeze
Northeast inflation consistently outpaces national averages. Real wages have declined — workers have less purchasing power than 2020.
📊 NE vs National Inflation
💸 Real Wage Impact
Income by Occupation
Despite having the highest median income nationally, 7 of 15 common occupations pay below the living wage threshold.
The Affordability Crisis
The gap between what families need and what they earn continues to widen every year.