These high prices have created an affordability crisis that has compelled many families to move out of the area in search of less expensive housing.

To learn more, check out the report card.

In September 2025, the Zillow Observed Rent Index benchmark for Boston’s Metropolitan Statistical Area was nearly $3,000, a price that does not include heat, electricity, and water.

When it comes to rentals, Boston is the fifth most expensive market in the country behind New York, San Jose, San Francisco, and San Diego.

As of 2025, only three municipalities had median single-family home prices under $500,000: Brockton, Wareham, and Halifax.

Since the pandemic, both home values and rents have climbed steadily. This year, from January through June, the median sale price for a single-family home was $741,738. The median condo price was $721,852.

Full implementation of the work requirement will go into effect on January 1, 2027.

States can delay implementation if they show a good faith effort to comply, but any such delay would require a federal dispensation, which is far from assured.

As our new report—“A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements” buff.ly/dMZvt4h explains, policymakers “need to start developing a Massachusetts Model for successful implementation before the final rules are even available.”

On this front, there’s little Massachusetts can do, apart from potentially creating new state-funded programs for these populations.

Arkansas and Georgia both piloted programs that required Medicaid recipients to work. And both states saw a massive loss of health insurance coverage among residents. Learn more in our new report, “A Massachusetts Model for Medicaid Work Requirements.” buff.ly/dMZvt4h

Massachusetts has already seen record numbers of deportations, and most of these have not been criminal cases but rather instances of “Entry without inspection” or other immigration charges such as overstaying a visa.

To learn more, check out the report card.

Federal immigration policies also stand to limit local population growth. For decades, domestic population loss has been offset by immigrants moving into the area. But this year, demographers have warned of population declines across the United States.

Tariffs have driven up the cost of nails, lumber, and other construction materials, making it more expensive to build homes. And harsh immigration policies have limited the number of visas issued and increased deportations, which could lead to shortages of construction workers.

"To live up to that promise, building a wide range of diverse housing options must be a central goal, ensuring that new families can put down roots and that existing residents are not priced out by rising costs."

To learn more, check out the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025.

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"Often, market rate units can pay more than some underutilized commercial, commercial building in terms of tax revenue helping support the cost of governing, from schools to public safety to public maintenance."

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Speaking at the release event for the Greater Boston Housing Report Card, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll says: