RANK #801 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 12 MA · POP 785,121
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Suffolk County, Massachusetts, is defined by Boston, its largest city and the state capital, which anchors the county's identity. The county is situated on Massachusetts Bay, featuring a hilly coastal region and several islands. Notable towns like Winthrop and Revere offer coastal living with access to Boston. Residents and visitors can explore historical sites along the Freedom Trail, including the Old North Church and Paul Revere House, or enjoy green spaces like Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden. Commuting within the county and to surrounding areas is facilitated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) subway, bus, and commuter rail services, along with ferries and various shuttle programs.
Life in Suffolk County is characterized by its urban and diverse environment, attracting many young professionals. The county's economy is largely driven by financial services, including banking, insurance, and investment management, alongside health care and social assistance, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Education also plays a significant role, with numerous colleges and universities in and around Boston. Recent economic developments include the Suffolk Downs redevelopment project in East Boston and Revere, which aims to create a mixed-use neighborhood with residential units, commercial spaces, and life sciences facilities, projected to generate thousands of jobs.
Suffolk County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.5% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Suffolk County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #801 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.3% and median household income of $95,631 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Affordability is a real challenge in Suffolk County. The median home is valued at $705,800 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.14, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $2,129/month.
Population and employment in Suffolk County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs -0.3%. Home values shifted +0.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.0% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Suffolk County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.