Here’s MA's Best Town To Live In

The best place to live in Massachusetts is apparently Winchester, which has some claim to being the best-educated place in the United States. That’s according to a new report from the financial news and opinion site 24/7 Wall St., which determined the best city to live in every state.

The reports' authors acknowledge that many things factor into what makes a place “home,” but some attributes are commonly shared and “universally desirable.” These include essentials like safe streets, a strong local economy, affordability and diverse entertainment options.

Here’s a breakdown of Winchester:

• Population: 22,491
• 5 year population change: +6.1 percent
• Median home value: $796,500
• Median household income: $149,321

Here’s what the authors had to say:

“Winchester is the best-educated place in Massachusetts and one of the most highly educated in the entire country. Nearly three-quarters of adults in the area have at least a bachelor’s degree. This college degree attainment rate is well above that of Massachusetts, which sits at 41.2%.

"This high level of education, coupled with the fact that Winchester is just outside of Boston, can make it easier for residents to find jobs. Winchester has the lowest unemployment rate, at 2.7%, of anywhere in the state. Massachusetts’ unemployment rate is a full percentage point higher. This high level of employment likely helps drive down the poverty rate in Winchester. Just 2.4% of Winchester residents live below the poverty line, the lowest share in Massachusetts.”

Most of the best cities to live in were relatively affluent. That includes Paradise Valley, dubbed the best place to live in Arizona, where the median home value is north of $1.3 million — more than seven times the national median. The median household in the town earns an income of $173,487.

But several cities and towns were much more modest. Batesville, Arkansas, was highlighted specifically because it’s so affordable and has various attractions and amenities. The median household in the city earns $42,143 a year, while the median home is worth $120,400.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

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