How Much Massachusetts Households Make Per Year: Census Data (Billerica: rental market, homes)

[GeePee]

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site


Heres a good data set for Boston specific

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

It is. You still have your general population of townies in Bev, I see a lot of similarities of Bev and 1990's Somerville before Somerville became what it is today.


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I've always wanted to see a similar list that only takes into account the median income of homeowners in a specific town. It would give me a good reference point to where I am vs my HH income and how it compares to other towns.

Same with Arlington. I was a bit surprised to see my town, Sterling, at parity with Arlington given current RE prices and proximity to Boston. However, an objective view reveals little surprise.

There is a large population of retired and semi-retired households in Arlington with very blue collar backgrounds - bought cheap in the '70's/'80's and are now comfortably living of a pension and/or reverse mortgages. Meanwhile, my town is consists mostly of larger homes on larger lots - the type of properties that, even if affordable, require a certain means to maintain/manage. Unlike the retirees in Arlington, who's wealth is largely tied to their RE, the retirees in my town had significant incomes prior to retirement and/or cashed out of significant RE holdings. Additionally, there are few rentals or subsidized units which skew income down.

If this list were to only included active participants in the labor force, the rankings would differ greatly.

[timberline742]

There are still plenty of townies in Somerville too. If you want that scene, play some keno at the China Delight. Bobby makes a mean mai tai.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

Same with Arlington. I was a bit surprised to see my town, Sterling, at parity with Arlington given current RE prices and proximity to Boston. However, an objective view reveals little surprise.

There is a large population of retired and semi-retired households in Arlington with very blue collar backgrounds - bought cheap in the '70's/'80's and are now comfortably living of a pension and/or reverse mortgages. Meanwhile, my town is consists mostly of larger homes on larger lots - the type of properties that, even if affordable, require a certain means to maintain/manage. Unlike the retirees in Arlington, who's wealth is largely tied to their RE, the retirees in my town had significant incomes prior to retirement and/or cashed out of significant RE holdings. Additionally, there are few rentals or subsidized units which skew income down.

If this list were to only included active participants in the labor force, the rankings would differ greatly.

Similar distinction here with my city and exactly along the lines of how I was thinking. It would be nice to break the data down further to paint a better picture of home affordability in comparison to personal metrics.

Originally Posted by timberline742

There are still plenty of townies in Somerville too. If you want that scene, play some keno at the China Delight. Bobby makes a mean mai tai.

Well aware of that. Probably related to a good chunk of them.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Well aware of that. Probably related to a good chunk of them.

Not a bad lot if I am in the mood to talk sports, I just avoid the politics! Or, try too.

[mwj119]

Higher median income levels in Westford than in Concord?

Ha.

[Idontwanttocheckmymessage]

For a comparison, Wikipedia ranks MA communities based on median per capita income based on older 2009-13 census data, as opposed to median household income. However, it also includes figures for median household income and median family income.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List..._capita_income

[robr2]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Higher median income levels in Westford than in Concord?

Ha.

Do they count the "residents" at the rotary? Didn't Concord tried to count the prison cells as affordable housing units a few years back?

[BostonBornMassMade]

Most urban areas actually have same HH size as the suburbs with the exception of Boston and Camberville. That where many families live-in those tenements.

[mdovell]

This argument can be complicated for a variety of reasons.

1) Just because someone lives somewhere does not automatically mean they spend time there.

2) How is income defined? If it's by wages alone then retirees are considered poor. If it includes investment income and pensions that is totally different

3) What about those that live and work in different states? Long ago I used to see a woman in Lawrence. They are so close to NH that frankly it makes more sense due to the demographics and sales taxes to cross the border. Sales taxes are regressive so this makes sense. Springfield is about ten minutes from CT. Practically a third of the cars here have CT plates and the rail goes directly in. Likewise Providence to Fall river is less than a half hour. Pittsfield to Albany about an hour. Let's be honest here. If everyone that worked in boston actually lived there the size of it would be much larger along with most of the cities in the state and region.