All Mass. Residents Want For Christmas is a Lower Cost of Living

All Massachusetts residents want for Christmas this year is for their state leaders to reduce the cost of living. It may be a tall order, but it should come as no surprise. This summer, Forbes ranked Massachusetts as having the second highest cost of living in the country. CNBC’s study on cost of living found that Massachusetts has the highest cost of living for single people.

According to our latest survey of Massachusetts voters, 52 percent of residents think that addressing this crisis should be lawmakers’ focus in the upcoming year. 

That doesn’t mean these other issues are unimportant: Earlier MOA polling found that 82 percent of Massachusetts residents believe their taxes are too high. Last week, we released polling that showed broad support for new statewide education standards. But when forced to choose one priority over all others, cost of living is the primary focus. 

These results track with the outcome of the latest election, where Mass. voters cast their ballots with the economy at the forefront of their minds. As Massachusetts policymakers begin a new legislative session in January, voters are looking to them for solutions to the Commonwealth’s expensive cost of living.

Our survey shows cost concerns are especially prevalent around the holidays. According to our poll, only 11 percent of Mass. voters report they aren’t feeling financial pressure from the holiday season, with 30 percent saying they feel a high degree of pressure on their budgets. 

Evidence indicates that these pressures are intensifying. Over one-third (36 percent) of surveyed voters plan to spend less than last year on holiday gifts.

But, how much are they actually budgeting to spend? According to our poll, the most common budget for gifts this year is between $500 and $1,500. 

As 2024 comes to a close, Bay Staters expect that lawmakers will listen to their concerns. Let’s hope that in 2025 state policymakers seize the opportunity to address serious issues like cost of living that directly impact residents and threaten Massachusetts’ overall competitiveness.