Latest National Ranking Gives Massachusetts Top Marks in
Health Care, Education; Places Above Larger, Competitor States to Win Number
One Placement
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.”
“Massachusetts’ success is rooted in our vibrant cities and
towns and in our commitment to fostering an environment where all residents can
thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This ranking is a
reflection of the collective effort of our residents, community and business
leaders, and state and local officials across the state who work tirelessly to
ensure that Massachusetts is truly is the best place to live. We look forward
to continuing the important work of advancing policies that enhance the quality
of life for everyone who calls Massachusetts home.”
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.
“This recognition affirms Massachusetts’ role as a leader in
creating an environment where families and businesses alike can start, stay,
and grow,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. "Our
state’s top-ranking status in health care and education underscores our
commitment to building a thriving, inclusive, economy that attracts talent and
investment from around the world. We shouldn’t take our foot off the gas; we
will remain focused on ensuring that Massachusetts is not just the best place
to live, but also the best place to do business.”
"Massachusetts has taken the lead in addressing rising
housing costs that have impacted so much of the country," said Housing
and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. "With the
passage of the Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law
and expanding housing tax credits, we've put some of the best ideas for
increasing housing production to work toward making Massachusetts more
affordable for everyone."
“We know Massachusetts is a great place to live, but it
didn’t happen by accident. Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll
administration has cut taxes for families, seniors and businesses and produced
responsible budgets that have increased investments in our schools, child care,
college accessibility and the environment,” said Administration and Finance
Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “And we’re not done. We are focused on
using the resources we have to create new and affordable housing, provide safe
and reliable public transit, and grow emerging industries like climate
technology to produce the jobs of the future. We will continue to look for ways
to make Massachusetts more competitive, affordable and equitable for everyone
who chooses to make our state their home.”
“Massachusetts is home to amazing talent, and the
Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to building a strong workforce
today and for our future,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary
Lauren Jones. “We are also dedicated to supporting our workers by providing
paid family medical leave, delivering on our new wage transparency law, and
ensuring worker rights and protections are upheld. There’s always more work to
do, and we value the incredible partnerships that will continue to foster a
more competitive and equitable workforce and work environment across
Massachusetts.”
"From day one, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has
prioritized public safety, investing in vital programs that safeguard
Massachusetts communities, advance meaningful reforms, and enhance community
preparedness and resilience," said Public Safety and Security Secretary
Terrence Reidy. "Our dedicated team combined with strong federal,
state and local partnerships is how we achieve our goals and build upon our
successes. Massachusetts' top ranking reflects the effectiveness of teamwork
and highlights our shared commitment to ensuring the safety of all those who
live, work and raise families in our communities across
Massachusetts."
“Few states can match Massachusetts’ unwavering commitment
to veterans," said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago.
"The Healey-Driscoll Administration has transformed Veterans Services,
increasing our operating budget by 11 percent and intensifying our efforts to
honorably serve those who served us by launching innovative programs and
services, prioritizing employment and education, committing to ending veteran
homelessness, and enhancing our Veterans Homes with state-of-the-art long-term
care and independent living facilities. Just last week, the Governor signed the
historic HERO Act, the most comprehensive veterans’ benefits legislation in
Massachusetts history, featuring over 30 provisions to expand benefits,
modernize services, and promote inclusion."
“In addition to being a great place to live and work, the
Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to making the delivery of
government services for Massachusetts residents the best in the nation,” said
Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder. “And with the
front door to government now digital, I’m excited to lead the Administration’s
innovations in state government IT systems that meet residents where they are,
with accessibility, equity, security and inclusivity front of mind.”
“We are honored to be recognized nationally for the many
reasons why Massachusetts is a great place to live,” said Transportation
Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Massachusetts is a place where everyone is
welcome, where we lead in access to public transportation, high-quality health
care and world-class educational opportunities. Our government leaders work
tirelessly to advance diversity, equity, affordability and climate resiliency
goals.”
"Here in Massachusetts, we view clean energy transition
as a tremendous opportunity and we are seizing it," said Energy and
Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Our residents reap
the benefits of a thriving climatetech industry, new clean sources coming
online and strong investments in infrastructure resilient to extreme weather.
This means cleaner air, good-paying jobs, better energy efficiency and healthier
communities for all. Not to mention, we are home to beautiful natural
resources, from the Berkshires to the Cape Cod National Seashore. The
Healey-Driscoll Administration is forging ahead with the clean energy
transition and lengthening our lead in climate leadership."
“Massachusetts is the birthplace of public education in the
U.S., and home to world-renowned schools. In the past year and a half, we have
made significant policy advances and financial investments to transform our
state’s education system towards equity, access and affordability from early
education and care through higher education,” said Education Secretary Dr.
Patrick Tutwiler. “That includes being the only state in the country to
continue child care stabilization grants at the same funding as the federal
government and surpassing pre-pandemic child care capacity, making free school
meals permanent, and launching a nation-leading early literacy strategy and the
most comprehensive free community college program in the country. We have more
work to do, but I am incredibly proud of all the progress we have made – it is
nothing less than our students, educators and families deserve. Massachusetts
continues to be the best place to go to school.”
“We truly value the quality of and equitable access to
health care in Massachusetts, which allows us to attract talent and provide for
the people who call this state home,” said Health and Human Services
Secretary Kate Walsh. “While we can celebrate being at the top of this list
today, what it really means is that we must continue to make Massachusetts an
inclusive, healthy, and innovative place for people to come, stay, and make
their own.”
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.
Each year, Massachusetts is a national leader in research
and development on a per capita basis across federal grant programs, such as
NIH, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer
programs. The state also leads the country in venture capital invested per
capita. In 2023, Massachusetts ranked number one in US News & World
Report’s state ranking of business environments, and the state ranked the
strongest knowledge economy by the Milken Institute. Based on data from the
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state has also ranked number two in GDP
per capita, and Pitchbook
ranks the city of Boston at number six as a top startup city in the
world.