Cambridge
RANK #704 / 996 NAT · #7 / 12 MA · POP 1,623,109
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Concord, Massachusetts, a town within Middlesex County, holds historical significance as the site of the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, alongside Lexington. Located west and northwest of Boston, Middlesex County offers a blend of suburban and urban environments. Commuting to Boston is feasible, with options including the MBTA commuter rail from towns like Concord and West Concord, and various shuttle services connecting to MBTA stations like Alewife. The county features diverse natural scenery, including rivers like the Merrimack and Concord, and notable spots like Walden Pond and the expansive Middlesex Fells Reservation, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and boating.
Life in Middlesex County is characterized by a high quality of life, supported by strong educational institutions, including Harvard University and MIT in Cambridge, and top-rated public schools across many towns. The economy is driven by innovation, with a concentration of technology, education, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. While the county experienced a slight decline in employment between September 2024 and September 2025, average weekly wages saw a significant increase, making Middlesex County among the highest in the U.S. for average weekly wages. This economic landscape attracts professionals and families seeking both career opportunities and community amenities.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 29/100, Middlesex County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $121,304 combined with job growth of -0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Middlesex County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $654,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.19 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $2,004/month on average.
Population and employment in Middlesex County are both close to flat — population -0.0% YoY and jobs -0.5%. Home values shifted +1.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.77% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Middlesex County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.