New England is a region of the United States comprising six states. Oftentimes, these states are grouped in conversation and even with sports teams. However, despite the things that bring New England together, the six states are very different. Let’s see how Massachusetts compares to the other six states in terms of population, rent, and education.

Let’s start by looking at the population of the New England states. In terms of area, Massachusetts is the second-largest state in New England, at 10,554 square miles, with Maine being the largest, spanning 35,380 square miles of land, according to the U.S. Census. Even though it’s not the largest state, Massachusetts has the highest population by more than 3 million people at 7,029,917, compared to Connecticut, with the second largest population at 3,598,348. The data shows that Massachusetts remains one of the more popular New England states to live in. 

It is clear that Massachusetts is highly populated, but how much are people paying to live there? This chart shows how Massachusetts compares to other New England states in terms of median gross monthly rent. Although all are relatively close, Massachusetts residents are paying the highest amount. The median gross monthly rent for Massachusetts ($1,757) is also $351 more than the median for rent in the United States, at $1,463.

Out of all the New England states, one thing that particularly sets Massachusetts apart from the others is education. According to the Massachusetts government, the state has ranked number one for the best K-12 education system in the country for the past three years. The ranking is based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. “These are more than just test scores; they represent our commitment to making sure that every student graduates from our schools with the skills they need to succeed in the future,” Governor Maura Healey said. According to the NAEP, Massachusetts has ranked first in all 4 testing cateogories the last 2 years in a row, consistently achieving a higher score than the national average.

In addition to ranking highly for its K-12 education system, Massachusetts also sees success with its higher education. The data shows that Massachusetts is home to the highest percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This data makes sense as Massachusetts has more than 100 institutions across the state listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Not only does Massachusetts have the largest percentage among the New England states, but it is also 11% higher than the percentage of people in the U.S. who have a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

Overall, Massachusetts stands out in New England for its dense population, higher rent, and established education system. While residents may pay more to live in the state, the data suggests they also benefit from strong educational opportunities and economic appeal. Compared to its neighbors, Massachusetts consistently ranks at or near the top, showing that its influence in New England extends beyond size alone.