If you’ve debated trading Boston’s Seaport for Newton’s leafy suburbs or weighed Springfield’s short commutes against Worcester’s parking perks, you’re not alone: Hybrid work has reshaped Massachusetts, altering not just how people work, but also how cities accommodate them. Now, some companies are calling employees back, while others embrace flexibility, thereby forcing cities to adapt.
Notably, between 2021 and 2023, Massachusetts lost 165,000 remote workers as companies like Fidelity and Mass General Brigham increased in-office mandates. At the same time, Boston’s rising office vacancy rate spurred tax incentives to convert empty towers into housing, reflecting the shifting balance between remote and traditional work.
So, to see which cities are best equipped for today’s work models, we analyzed cities (with populations of at least 65,000) on two factors — remote work readiness (coworking density, internet speeds and housing affordability) and in-office efficiency (commute times, parking and office quality). We then combined the scores to rank the cities that best support both work styles.
How Massachusetts Cities Rank: Newton Leads for Remote Work, Worcester Tops Office Readiness
Eastern Massachusetts dominated the rankings with Newton (#1 overall) leading the pack, scoring 40 out of 50 for remote work — nearly 10 points higher than its closest competitor. A mix of spacious, relatively affordable rental options and strong high-speed internet coverage secured its top placement. Next, Cambridge (#2) followed closely, benefiting from the state’s highest coworking space density while maintaining high-quality office space — an essential draw for hybrid professionals.
In contrast, western Massachusetts stood out for office-goers: Springfield (#3) had the shortest commutes in the state, averaging just 20.2 minutes, making in-office work far more manageable. Then, Worcester (#7) led in housing affordability relative to income, easing cost-of-living pressures for hybrid and in-office workers alike.
Work from Home (WFH):
Rent affordability & average apartment size: With median rent consuming just 16.2% of household income — the lowest in Massachusetts — Newton offers rare financial flexibility to allow residents to allocate more toward childcare, home upgrades or ergonomic workspaces. Meanwhile, with an average apartment size of 949 square feet, remote workers benefit from ample space for dedicated home offices — an uncommon luxury in today’s rental market. High-speed internet coverage: Newton ranks first in Massachusetts with 93.9% broadband coverage to ensure seamless connectivity for bandwidth-heavy tasks that are critical for remote households and professionals in tech and finance. Plus, its internet speeds (also ranking first among the top 10), further solidify its appeal, supported by proximity to Route 128’s tech corridor.Work from Office (WFO):
Quality office space & mixed-use office buildings: Only 23.5% of Newton’s office inventory is rated Class A/A+, which trails other top cities. Limited mixed-use developments further restrict options for flexible work environments. City amenities & establishments: With 57.7 amenities per 100,000 residents, workers may need to venture beyond Newton for childcare, specialty retail or diverse dining. Even so, The Street in Chestnut Hill — just a 10-minute drive — remains a key hub for errands and meals.WFH
Coworking availability: With 16.9 coworking spaces per 100,000 residents — the highest ratio in Massachusetts — Cambridge fosters a thriving innovation ecosystem. In particular, spaces like Workbar Central Square and CIC Cambridge provide collaborative environments for entrepreneurs and remote workers seeking community. Share of Remote Workers: Share of remote workers: Here, 23.3% of residents work remotely — the second-highest share among cities studied. Cambridge’s tech-driven economy attracts firms like Novo Nordisk, Philo and FareHarbor, which actively support remote-friendly roles. Free Wi-Fi: Despite its reputation as a tech hub, Cambridge ranks third-lowest in public Wi-Fi hotspots (fewer than 100 per 100,000 residents), leaving freelancers reliant on cellular data.WFO
City Amenities & Establishments: City amenities & establishments: Boasting 456 amenities per 100,000 residents (first in the state), the city blends work and life seamlessly. From Kendall Square’s fitness centers and artisan lattes at Tatte Bakery to innovative exhibits at the MIT Museum, there’s always something nearby. Quality Office Spaces: With 83.1% of offices classified as Class A/A+ (best in Massachusetts) and more than 45% housed in mixed-use complexes (third place), Cambridge offers dynamic environments for its office workers. Office parking: Limited parking — about 1.3 spots per 1,000 square feet (10th in Massachusetts) — and high fees near Kendall Square (up to $400 or more per month) push many drivers toward public transit. Average commutes are around 27 minutes. Home ownership affordability: Home values at 7.4 times the median income (the highest among the top 10) make purchasing a home a steep challenge for many residents.WFH
Free Wi-Fi: An impressive 683.9 free Wi‑Fi hotspots per 100,000 residents signal a solid community infrastructure, likely driven by proactive initiatives from local libraries or municipal programs. This abundance of connectivity is especially notable in a city with a traditional economic base. Rent affordability: Rent takes up 30.2% of income — a figure positioned between Lawrence and Worcester. Plus, with apartments averaging just 745 square feet, the challenge of balancing rent costs with sufficient workspace becomes even more pronounced for households with multiple remote workers. Remote work-friendly businesses: Measured at the metropolitan statistical area level, Springfield lags behind the eight greater Boston cities and Lawrence due to its lower concentration of tech and professional services.WFO
Commute time: An average commute of 20.2 minutes, the shortest in the top 10, benefits workers in industries clustered along the I-91 corridor, including manufacturing giant Smith & Wesson and Baystate Health’s medical campuses. And, unlike Boston’s gridlocked highways, Springfield’s compact employment hubs minimize traffic delays. Share of on-site workers: With 94.8% of workers commuting on-site — the highest in the top 10 — Springfield underscores its commitment to physical presence in key industries. Housing Affordability: Home values equate to 5.6 times the median income, the second-lowest ratio in Massachusetts. More precisely, neighborhoods like Liberty Heights attract first-time buyers with single-family homes priced below $300,000, which is a stark contrast to eastern Massachusetts, where ratios exceed incomes by eight times. Public transit affordability: PVTA buses and Amtrak’s Hartford Line offer fares starting at $1.30 per ride (the second-lowest in the state), which is critical for daily commuters.
Rent affordability: Rent consumes 22.2% of household income for the second-lowest rate among the top 10. However, with average apartment sizes of just 726 square feet (the smallest in the group), limited space may offset affordability gains for families.
Free Wi-Fi: With just 50 free Wi‑Fi hotspots per 100,000 residents — the lowest among the top 10 — on‑the‑go connectivity is a challenge. As such, remote workers often rely on local spots, like Diesel Café in Davis Square, or their residential networks to stay connected.
Park density: Boston leads Massachusetts with 130.6 parks per 100,000 residents. In particular, iconic areas such as the Emerald Necklace and the Boston Public Garden — with Wi-Fi-enabled benches — offer attractive outdoor workspaces, although some densely populated areas like Chinatown may not enjoy the same green abundance.
Coworking spaces: With 7.4 coworking spaces per 100,000 residents, hubs like WeWork Post Office Square (located conveniently near South Station) offer flexible environments for hybrid professionals seeking a change of scenery amid the city’s urban pace.
Average apartment size: The average Boston apartment spans just 763 square feet, ranking eighth in the top 10. Therefore, in areas like the Seaport District, compact living spaces might prompt remote workers to adapt creatively — sometimes turning kitchen tables into temporary workstations.
WFO
City amenities & entertainment: Somerville offers 378 amenities per 100,000 residents, including Assembly Row’s dining and entertainment complex and Bow Market’s indie retailers. These spaces cater to professionals seeking post-work socializing or errand-running. Quality office spaces: Here, 77.9% of offices meet Class A/A+ standards. This includes Block 6 in Union Square, which attracts tech startups with open-plan layouts and rooftop terraces. Commute time: Despite the Green Line Extension improving access to Boston, Somerville’s average commute stretches to 31 minutes — second-longest in the top 10.WFO
Mixed-use office: Here, 64.3% of offices blend retail, labs or housing. That’s the highest rate in Massachusetts. For example, the South Station complex integrates offices above Tatte Bakery, while One Boston Wharf Road’s rooftop farm merges sustainability with corporate amenities. Quality office spaces: With 74.8% of its office space classified as Class A/A+, Boston’s Seaport and Financial districts continue to attract major employers and support return-to-office efforts. Amazon, for instance, mandated five-day office weeks last year for its roughly 4,500 employees based in its Seaport offices. Office parking ratio & commute time: Downtown Boston faces a dual challenge with just 0.6 parking spots per 1,000 square feet and an average commute of 30.2 minutes. This often results in congestion and delays — especially during peak hours near hubs like TD Garden — influencing both drivers and Red Line riders alike.WFH
Average apartment size & rent as a percentage of household income: Apartments in Framingham average 816 square feet (the third-largest in the top 10) with suburban complexes like Nobscot Commons offering quiet home offices. Moreover, a 23.5% rent burden — third-lowest in the top 10 — makes Framingham a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive urban centers.
Park density: While the city provides 62.6 parks per 100,000 residents, this number falls short compared to some other Massachusetts locales when it comes to readily accessible green spaces. That said, residents near expansive areas — like Cushing Memorial Park, which boasts 67.5 acres of trails — can still enjoy nature’s benefits for a break or outdoor workspace.
WFO
Office parking availability: Framingham’s office areas feature an impressive 3.3 parking spots per 1,000 square feet — the highest in Massachusetts. This generous allocation not only helps smooth the daily commute, but also stands out as a significant perk when compared to the more limited parking options typically seen in metro Boston. Housing value to household income ratio: Framingham also shines in housing affordability with a favorable 6.0 home price-to-income ratio that outperforms Boston. This metric attracts mid-income buyers to areas like Pinefield, thereby bolstering the city’s residential appeal. Mixed-use office buildings: On the downside, Framingham’s offices are unlikely to be situated in mixed-use developments. This limited integration of on-site amenities may pose challenges for those seeking a vibrant, multi-use work environment.WFH
Rent affordability: Remote workers in Worcester face challenges with relatively high rent costs. Although the city’s rent-to-income ratio is more favorable than in other, out-of-Boston markets (like Springfield or Lawrence), a rapid influx of professionals and increased demand have driven rental prices upward in several neighborhoods.
Park density: Worcester offers 33.2 parks per 100,000 residents — noticeably fewer than Boston’s 130.6. However, given its central location in Massachusetts and proximity by car to vast natural areas up north, residents may feel less urgency to seek out urban green spaces for their outdoor work needs. High-speed internet coverage: With the lowest reported coverage of high-speed internet, remote workers may still need to rely on public hotspots or alternate providers to ensure consistent access.WFO
Homeownership affordability: Worcester’s home price-to-income ratio of 5.5 — the best in Massachusetts — makes it attractive for first-time buyers and families. Furthermore, neighborhoods like Greendale offer a blend of affordability and community amenities for those transitioning from renting to owning. Average public transit fare: Worcester boasts the most affordable public transit in our ranking. In fact, the WRTA has operated a fare-free system since March 2020 — one of the longest-running in the U.S. — which significantly boosts accessibility and promotes sustainable commuting. Office parking availability: Many office complexes in Worcester offer around 3.0 parking spots per 1,000 square feet. Compared to larger urban centers, this generous ratio eases the challenge of finding parking and helps reduce commuter stress.WFH
High-speed internet coverage: Lowell’s high-speed internet reaches 86.2% of the area — second-best in Massachusetts — ensuring reliable connectivity for remote work at home or on the go. Free Wi-Fi hotspot density: Despite robust wired connections, Lowell lags in free Wi‑Fi hotspot density compared to its peers. This shortfall means remote workers might need to rely on personal data or local spots when away from home. Coworking density: With just 0.9 coworking spaces per 100,000 residents — the lowest among the top 10 — remote workers often turn to alternatives like UMass Lowell’s libraries or local cafés for a productive setting.WFO
Lowell didn't crack the top three in any work-from-office metric, instead finishing fourth across the board. Even so, housing affordability makes homeownership more attainable here than in nearby Lawrence. Additionally, 37.9% of Lowell’s office space is Class A/A+, and 90.5% of its workforce commutes on-site. Unemployment rate: At 5.7% (per the Census Bureau’s one-year estimates), Lowell’s unemployment rate is the second-highest among the top 10 cities. This figure can affect job prospects for both remote and on-site workers.WFH
Free Wi-Fi hotspot density: With 499 free Wi-Fi hotspots per 100,000 residents, Lawrence ranks second in the state for public connectivity. Specifically, key locations — like the Lawrence Public Library and bustling Essex Street cafes — ensure that remote workers have ample access to reliable internet, even outside of their homes.
Average apartment size: At 863 square feet, on average, Lawrence offers the second-largest apartments in the study, providing extra space for dedicated home offices or creative work setups.
Rent affordability: Despite the spacious apartments, affordability remains a challenge. That’s because rent consumes 32.2% of household income — the highest among the top 10 — placing particular strain on Lawrence’s large base of on-site workforce.
Park density: With just 49.9 parks per 100,000 residents — the second-lowest in the top 10 — access to green space is limited. Even so, public spaces like Campagnone Common serve as essential outdoor spots by offering a much-needed escape for remote workers looking for fresh air during the workday.
Commute time: Lawrence’s 24.9-minute, one-way average commute is the second-shortest in ranking, offering a relatively smooth drive compared to the congested Boston-area routes. Accordingly, workers commuting within the Merrimack Valley avoid major highway bottlenecks, keeping travel times more predictable.
Share of on-site workers: With 92.5% of workers reporting on-site, Lawrence has the second-highest share of in-person jobs among the top 10. In this case, a large portion of the workforce is concentrated in warehousing and logistics, which require consistent on-site presence.
Office parking ratio: Parking remains a challenge with just 1.2 parking spots per 1,000 square feet — the second-lowest ratio in the top 10.
WFO
WFH
Like Lowell, Quincy didn’t feature in the top three for any one WFH metric, but it did come close by finishing in fourth place for its share of remote workers, rent affordability, free Wi-Fi availability and density of parks. Here, 77.8 parks per 100,000 residents provide scenic escapes for a mid-day walk in places like Squantum Point Park’s waterfront trails.
High-speed internet coverage: Just 6.4% high-speed internet coverage means not all remote workers in the city have access to high-speed internet, which can be a challenge for tasks like file transfers and other bandwidth-intensive work.
WFO
Office parking availability: By claiming 2.9 parking spots per 1,000 square feet (third in Massachusetts), Quincy eases drives to downtown offices like 100 Hancock Tower. City amenities & establishments: An impressive 344.5 amenities per 100,000 residents (also third in the state) blend history and leisure in the city: Workers can lunch at Wollaston Beach’s Clam Box or tour Adams National Historical Park. Commute time: A 38.4-minute average commute — the longest in the Bay State — stems from Red Line delays and Fore River Bridge bottlenecks. Thus, Quincy workers lose 15 days per year stuck in traffic.You can also compare the WFH, WFO and overall scores of any two Massachusetts cities by using our interactive tool:
