Building Net Worth in Massachusetts
Net worth is the single most comprehensive measure of financial health โ it captures everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). In Massachusetts, with a cost of living index of 148.5 and a median home price of $645K, housing is typically the dominant asset for middle-income households.
The price-to-income ratio in Massachusetts is 6.2ร โ meaning the median home costs 6.2 years of the median household's gross income. This is a high ratio suggesting significant home-equity-driven wealth concentration among existing homeowners, but barriers to entry for first-time buyers.
Net Worth Targets by Age in Massachusetts
| Age | Benchmark (ร income) | At $105K/yr |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1ร annual income | $104,828 |
| 40 | 3ร annual income | $314,484 |
| 50 | 6ร annual income | $628,968 |
| 60 | 8ร annual income | $838,624 |
| 67 (retirement) | 10ร annual income | $1,048,280 |
Targets apply to investable assets (retirement accounts + savings), not including home equity.
Massachusetts vs. National Wealth Context
| Metric | Massachusetts | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $104,828 | $74,580 |
| Median Home Price | $645,000 | $420,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 148.5 | 100 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 6.2ร | 5.6ร |
| National Median Net Worth | โ | $192,700 |