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Melrose, Massachusetts Retirement Guide
established retirement community
39
Retirement Score
Melrose, Massachusetts at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $732,300
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.
- Avg January Low
- 23.1°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 109.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 39 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
109.4 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$732,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,837High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
39.9 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
55.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
39.9 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
83.9°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Avg January Low
23.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Annual Precipitation
50.2"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Sunny Days / Year
272 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
13.3 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
60.6 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
29,477High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
43.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
19.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$126,305High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
65.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
3.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
61.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
4.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
80.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
2.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
9.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Melrose using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$1,587
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,782
Median home price used: $732,300
Median rent reference: $1,837 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.