Welcome to Massachusetts

Your life in the Bay State begins

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Massachusetts Self-StorageReasons to Move to MassachusettsMoving to MassachusettsEconomic OutlookPlaces to LiveResources

Welcome to Massachusetts

Although Massachusetts is the seventh smallest state in the U.S. by area, it’s one of the most populous of the six New England states with nearly seven million people calling it home. It’s bordered by Vermont and New Hampshire on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east and southeast, Connecticut and Rhode Island on the south, and New York on the east. Rivers and waterways snake throughout the state, offering unrivaled views of lush trees and foliage. Plenty of wildlife resides in Massachusetts, as well, including deer, beavers, red foxes, blue heron, wild turkeys, and more.

The glacier-shaped indented coast has left most of the ground rocky, sandy, and non-fertile. Although the western region rolls with gentle hills, the southeastern waters near Cape Cod are some of the most perilous in the U.S. Directly off the fierce coast of Massachusetts, rests famous tourist attractions, such as the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The state capital of Boston offers Old World history and New World charm, featuring the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Harvard University, and several professional sports teams. Although fishing and shipbuilding were once significant resources for Massachusetts, technological research and development spearhead the state’s economy. However, with a rich history in religion and government, Massachusetts still teems with the early American “Yankee” energy.

Massachusetts Self-Storage Facts

As one of the tiniest states, Massachusetts residents know what it's like to be starved for space. That's true when it comes to self-storage as well. The state has one of the lowest rates of self-storage per capita in the country, compared to the national average. However, developers in Boston and throughout the state are busy developing new sites which should lower rates and lead to more available storage for folks that are moving around the state, as well as those moving in or out. During the recession and immediately after, less self-storage space was built than the market demanded. That has led to the current boom in self-storage building, which also includes converting vacant retail stores into storage facilities. You can spot that trend here in Massachusetts and around the country.

Below is an overview of the current state of the Massachusetts self-storage market:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Massachusetts:

537

Massachusetts is home to about 537 self-storage facilities.

20,971,621

Massachusetts self-storage facilities cover 20,971,621 square feet of storage space.

3.67

Massachusetts storage facilities offer 3.67 square feet of storage per person, which is much lower than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to Massachusetts

Thinking about moving to the Pelican State, but aren't sure if it would be a good fit for you? Check out our top 10 reasons to move to Louisiana to help you make the right decision.

1

Unparalleled seafood. In the Bay State, no shortage of lobster-lovers exists. And for a good reason, too! With fishing still a significant part of the Massachusetts economy, the Atlantic Ocean pours in fresh seafood daily. It’s particularly well-known for its shellfish, harvesting some of the world’s best lobsters for us all to enjoy.

2

Boston...just Boston. Known as the “Hub of the Universe,” Boston has always played a significant role in U.S. and world history. This city offers an array of cultural happenings, including multiple museums, plenty of theater presentations, and delicious ethnic eateries. The job market is overflowing with opportunity, which is why many professionals flock to Boston.

3

Quaint seaside towns. Whether it’s Chatham, Provincetown, Nantucket, or Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts offers some of the best beach towns in the U.S. With classic New England architecture and 19-century lighthouses; it can seem as though time stands still on this coast.

4

Forward thinking. As one of America’s original 13 states, Massachusetts continually sets the standard for this country. Unlike other areas in the U.S., the Bay State tends to support outside-of-the-box thinking. With that said, it was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. Even with the profound role Massachusetts played in this country’s beginnings, it’s not stuck in the past.

5

Diverse economy. From the booming job market to the deeply rooted historical foundation, Massachusetts prides itself on having a healthy economy. Plus, during the Industrial Revolution, it became a national leader and hasn’t ever stopped. Instead of relying solely on whaling and fishing, Massachusetts expanded its revenues by including numerous industries.

6

Stunning seasons. Winters in Massachusetts can feel brutal, even with the vast amount of wintertime activities. However, most residents claim that the beauty of the other seasons wipes away any winter-induced bitterness. The summers are incredibly pleasant, rarely reaching above 80 ℉ or dipping below 60 ℉. And when fall rolls around, a more naturally colored radiance has never existed.

7

Rich history. The landing of the Mayflower, the Boston Tea Party, and the Salem Witch Trials are a few of the famous stories that happened in Massachusetts. The state is overflowing with American history, and its people love it for that very reason. It’s where the first Thanksgiving took place and also the horrendous Boston Massacre that sparked America’s independence.

8

Education system. With such rich historical significance, how could Massachusetts have anything but a leading education system? From preschool up to university, the state is renowned for its academics. Not only are there top-ranking elementary schools, but Massachusetts is home to Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and more.

9

Top-notch healthcare. It’s not only famous schools that are peppered across the state; Massachusetts has a world-renowned healthcare system, as well. Hospitals such as Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital are just a handful of the highly ranked institutions that inhabit the state. In terms of statistics, Massachusetts came in second place for the best overall healthcare system.

10

Sports culture. From the Boston Red Sox to the New England Patriots, from the Boston Bruins to the Boston Celtics, the Bay State is nuts about their sports. Hockey, baseball, basketball, and football are all popular, too. Massachusetts residents love them all.

Moving to Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the 15th most populated state, but it’s the 3rd most densely populated area in the U.S. with over 840 people per square mile of land. Although the state’s population has increased steadily in recent years, the rate of growth is under 4 percent, which is well below the national average of 10 percent. From 2017 to 2018, the population bumped from 6.86 million to 6.9 million. Many attribute this growth mainly to foreign immigration. Aside from the high cost of housing, most people are choosing to leave Massachusetts because of a job transfer or a new job, family reasons, relationship status, and climate. Also, the state’s economy is gradually transforming from manufacturing-based to one based on technology, which is shifting the job market significantly. Even with the steady increase, the state’s population isn’t expected to budge much beyond its current numbers by 2020.

Massachusetts Economic Outlook

Financial and professional services are the most significant industries in Massachusetts, landing its real GDP at $588.2 billion. With a 2.7% growth in 2018, the state ranks 11th in U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in Massachusetts has increased from 2018 to 2019, leaving the unemployment rate at 2.9% in August 2019.

The economic outlook for Massachusetts looks sharp as it’s expected to experience continued job growth in the coming years. Mainly we’ll see the growth in industries, such as health services as well as professional, scientific, and business services. With the booming job industry, Massachusetts has a higher cost of living than most other U.S. states. With a cost of living score of 139, housing is undoubtedly the most expensive part of living in the Bay State. However, many people overlook the higher housing costs to enjoy all that the state has to offer.

The following are Massachusetts’ top five sectors of real value added by GDP:

$105,090 billion
Financial, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing
$96,117 billion
Professional and business services
$61,215 billion
Educational services, health care, and social assistance
$49,815 billion
Manufacturing
$47,437 billion
Government and government enterprises

Who are Massachusetts's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
General Electric
295,000
The TJX Companies
235,000
Showcase Cinemas
133.269
Fresenius Medical Care North America
114,000
Raytheon
63,000

Places to live in Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts covers 10,565 square miles of land and sea. Residents are officially known as Bay Stater. Move to any of these three major cities, or anywhere else, and that's what you'll be!

Boston

As the capital of Massachusetts and one of the oldest cities in the country, Boston’s 89.63 square miles are spilling over with culture. It’s the most populous city in the New England region, home to 673,184 people. The rich history and ample job opportunities attract plenty of outsiders to Boston, too, despite the high cost of living. It’s the economic and cultural hub of the state, which makes Boston an attractive place to relocate.

Cost of living
48% higher than the national average
Median home price
$594,600
Average rent
$3,298/month
Average apartment size
817 square feet

Worcester

As the second-largest city in Massachusetts, Worcester has a population of 184,508 people. The city is spread across 38.57 square miles and is located in the center of Massachusetts, earning its official heart symbol. Worcester is just west of Boston, and its economy thrives off of education and healthcare industries.

Cost of living
18% higher than the national average
Median home price
$245,800
Average rent
$1,392/month
Average apartment size
786 square feet

Springfield

With 154,074 people calling Springfield home, it’s the third most populated city in Massachusetts. It covers 33.09 square miles and is located on the Connecticut River’s eastern bank. Springfield is commonly dubbed the “Hoop City” as James Naismith invented basketball here in 1891. Springfield has many other firsts, including: the first American dictionary was published here and the first American gas-powered automobile was produced here as well.

Cost of living
12% below the national average
Median home price
$165,400
Average rent
$1,168/month
Average apartment size
1048 square feet

Moving to Massachusetts Resources

All Massachusetts Cities