'It's financial suicide to remain here': Here's why readers say they're leaving Mass. in 2026

"As housing, utilities, and everyday costs of living continue to climb, a growing share of Massachusetts residents say the math of staying in the Bay State no longer works. In a recent Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll and an informal survey of Boston.com readers, residents said Massachusetts is just too expensive to get by. The Globe/Suffolk survey found that about one-third of Massachusetts voters have seriously considered leaving the state in the past year because of affordability pressures, even as a majority still believe the state is generally moving in the right direction."

"Against that backdrop, we asked Boston.com readers a more pointed question: Are you planning to leave the Commonwealth in 2026 because of affordability concerns? More than 300 people responded, and the results were stark. Nearly two-thirds said they are planning to leave the state, while another 21% said they are thinking about it. Just 17% said they plan to stay."

"Many readers described feeling priced out despite working full time, earning solid incomes, or having deep roots in Massachusetts. "I have to work two jobs full and part time to make ends meet, and I can't. I'm moving to Rhode Island," Hakeem from Cambridge said. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity. Others pointed to rising rents, childcare costs, property taxes, and utilities as breaking points - while a smaller but vocal group said the state's schools, hospitals, jobs, and values still make the high cost of living worth it."

A majority of respondents report that rising housing costs, utilities, taxes, healthcare, and childcare have made living in Massachusetts unaffordable. Nearly two-thirds of Boston.com respondents say they plan to leave in 2026 and another 21% are considering leaving; only 17% intend to stay. Many people described being priced out despite working full time, holding solid incomes, or having deep local roots. Common breaking points include rent increases, property taxes, childcare expenses, and soaring utility bills. A smaller group still values the state's schools, hospitals, jobs, and civic culture enough to remain despite high costs.

Read at Boston.com