24. Massachusetts
Cost of living: 38 percent above the U.S. average
Population: 6.902 million (as of 2018, U.S. Census Bureau)
Best city: Northampton, says Forbes
PRO: Massachusetts is a state with a lot of interesting history; it was one of the original 13 colonies, the landing spot of the Mayflower, the original Boston Tea Party, and more!
Massachusetts
CON: The state is also known as the Bay State and, according to Kiplinger, has high living costs, at 38 percent higher than the U.S. average. The cost of healthcare is also high, and so are taxes. And if you are not a fan of the cold then beware of the East Coast winters.
23. Rhode Island
Cost of living: 22 percent above U.S. average
Population: 1.057 million (as of 2018, says U.S. Census Bureau)
Best city: Jamestown, says Niche.com
PRO: As one of the original 13 colonies in the U.S., Rhode Island is full of interesting history, with stunning views of the ocean and beautiful beaches. It is situated near to big metropolitan tourist areas, giving you the opportunity to choose if you prefer the quiet of nature or the bustle of the city.
Rhode Island
CON: According to Kiplinger, the small eastern state has high tax rates as well as a cost of living which is 22 percent higher than the U.S. average. So Rhode Island can work for you, but most likely only if you have been saving for a good number of years, have a family that supports you financially, or you won the lottery!
