Massachusetts Named 2024 Best State to Live In
By Khmer Post USA
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today is celebrating a recent national ranking of Massachusetts as the best state to live in for 2024, beating out larger states like Florida and California and neighboring states like New Hampshire.
“We are proud to see Massachusetts recognized as the best state to live in the country,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts’ greatest strength is our people. We are home to the best schools, the best healthcare, and the most innovative businesses – but this isn’t the time to rest on our laurels. Our administration is dedicated to building on this momentum by continuing to invest in our communities, make Massachusetts more affordable, and ensure that we remain the best place to live for future generations.”
According to WalletHub, Massachusetts’ world-class health care system and high-quality education contribute to its ranking as the top state to live. Massachusetts has the highest share of residents with health insurance coverage at over 97 percent, the lowest premature death rate in the country and the lowest share of adults in fair or poor health. The state also ranks first for the quality of its school systems, with the fourth-best high school graduation rate in the country at over 90 percent. With the highest percentage of population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree or higher, Massachusetts is home to the most educated workforce in the country.
Massachusetts continues to rank #1 for education, having the best schools and universities and leading the nation in student achievement. Education has been a priority focus for the Healey-Driscoll administration from early education and child care through higher education. When federal funding ended, Massachusetts continued child care stabilization grants at $475 million a year – being the only state in the nation to continue funding this vital program at the same level that the federal government did, now for two years in a row. While other states faced a child care cliff, Massachusetts’ surpassed pre-pandemic license capacity by 7,100 child care slots, adding more than 10,600 slots last year. The state’s fiscal year 2025 budget includes $20 million for Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch Initiative, a nation-leading strategy to expand access to evidence-based reading instruction for Massachusetts students.
Massachusetts has continued universal free school meals when the federal funding ended, one of only eight states. This significantly increased participation, serving 21 million more meals than before the pandemic. Massachusetts has also made community college free for all students, building on the success of MassReconnect, Governor Healey’s initiative to make community college free for students aged 25 and older that drove a 45 percent increase in enrollment for this age group last year. The administration further invested significant funding to cover tuition, fees, books, and supply costs for Pell Grant-eligible students and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for middle-income students by up to half at public community colleges, state universities, and the University of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is a hub for life science activity, with Greater Boston and Worcester ranking in the top 25 for life science talent and manufacturing, according to CBRE. Currently, 18 of the top 20 largest global life sciences companies are in Massachusetts, and the state continues to support life sciences companies seeking to relocate through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and the Life Sciences Initiative, which Governor Healey proposed reauthorizing for another 10 years with an investment of over $1 billion in her economic development bill, the Mass Leads Act.
In June, Governor Healey hosted a celebration of the Massachusetts climatetech industry leaders that were named to TIME Magazine’s Top GreenTech Companies for 2024. All 28 companies, spanning across the state, were recognized with a Governor’s Citation for their contributions to Massachusetts’ economy and competitiveness. Governor Healey has aimed to make Massachusetts a global leader in climatetech through a $1 billion investment in the Mass Leads Act. A UMass Donahue Institute analysis found the proposal could generate $16.4 billion in economic activity, representing a 12-to-1 return on investment, and create 6,670 new jobs.
Earlier this year, WalletHub ranked Massachusetts as having the third-best state economy for 2024, highlighting its strong potential for innovation. The state noted for having the highest percentage of jobs in high-tech industries and the third-highest share of STEM professionals. WalletHub also ranked Massachusetts as the best state to raise a family in January of this year, as the state provides a good blend of economic opportunities and safe conditions for children.
