Data Dive: Massachusetts Taxes are Top Concern for Young, Hispanic, and Suburban Residents

In 2022, Massachusetts had more people leaving the state than moving into the state — over 45,000 more to be exact. We polled Massachusetts residents to find out what is pushing people out of state — and roughly 2 out of 3 said the state’s high tax environment was a factor.

How serious is this problem? More than 1 in 3 of Massachusetts residents said they had considered moving out of state in the last year.

How does that affect different groups? See the results below:

Residents aged 18-34 years old were the age cohort most likely to consider moving (48% replied “yes”), with 35-54 year olds not far behind. Nearly half of Hispanics said they considered moving. Those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 were slightly more likely to consider moving than other income brackets, and nearly half of those in urban areas said they considered moving.

But who exactly are the state’s high taxes affecting? On average, Massachusetts residents said the state’s taxes in general were too high (82%) – and concerned residents were not just among wealthy folks. See what residents across gender, age, race, income, and location cohorts said about taxes below:

Residents aged 18-34 were the age category most likely to say taxes were too high, while Hispanics were the most likely race cohort to say so. Those living in suburban parts of the state were most likely to say their taxes were too high.

So which taxes are the worst offenders?

The large majority of residents across various socioeconomic groups said Massachusetts’ income tax caused them the most hardship. Others cited local property taxes and sales taxes as being a burden on their lives and families.

Many like Pioneer Institute have cited that Massachusetts has an outmigration issue, where the state is seeing a net loss of residents leaving the state greater than the number moving into the state. Among those currently living in the state, many are still considering making a move – and taxes are one of the top concerns.

Massachusetts lawmakers should consider how current and proposed new taxes may affect residents across socioeconomic groups, and how they may change the structure to keep residents happy and thriving in the Commonwealth.