Massachusetts replacing Sun Belt as retirement paradise

Read more at Boston Agent Magazine.

The Bay State attracted 20% of interstate retirees in 2024, surpassing traditional snowbird destinations like Florida. That’s according to a new study from AInvest that used data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. News & World Report to analyze trends among older homebuyers.

The AI investment company identified several reasons that retirees are increasingly choosing to move to Massachusetts, including excellent healthcare, relative safety from climate-related risks, cultural and outdoor appeal and opportunity for investment.

In suburbs like Worcester or Salem, homes fetch median prices of $400,000–$500,000. These prices are significantly more affordable than Boston’s median home price of over $800,000 and offer rental yields around 5%.

“A seismic demographic shift is reshaping U.S. real estate markets, as retirees increasingly prioritize affordability, healthcare access and climate resilience over sun-soaked climates,” researchers said in the report. “This trend opens compelling opportunities for investors to capitalize on undervalued regions poised for growth.”