The Geography of Affluence: Where Massachusetts' Wealth Actually Lives (And Why It Matters for Buyers)
Four towns earn $250K+ median income. But Nantucket's $3M homes dwarf Dover's $1.7M—revealing two distinct wealth economies. One is earned (suburban Boston professionals). The other is stored (global capital). Understanding this split defines your buying strategy.
Dover, Weston, Carlisle, and Wellesley earn incomes so high the Census can't measure them ($250K+ cap). Yet Nantucket's $2.97M median home value towers over all—despite just $119K median income. This isn't a ranking—it's a forensic analysis of Massachusetts' dual wealth geography: income-driven suburbs vs. asset-storage coastal markets. Where you buy depends on which wealth engine you're tapping into.
The Dual Wealth Economy: What This Analysis Reveals
Asset Wealth (Stored): Nantucket/Chilmark/Edgartown median home values reach $2.3M-$3M—fueled by global capital, second homes, inherited wealth. Local median income: $89K-$119K.
The Strategic Implication: High-earning professionals cluster in commutable suburbs. Ultra-wealthy capital concentrates in seasonal coastal markets. These are different buyer profiles accessing different wealth sources.
Your Decision: Are you converting annual income into home value? Or deploying accumulated capital into appreciating assets? The geography you target depends entirely on your answer.
💰Executive Summary: Where the Money Actually Lives
This analysis uses 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates for income data and October 2025 Zillow Home Values Index for asset valuation—the same datasets the Massachusetts Department of Revenue relies on for Equalized Valuation calculations and state aid allocation. The findings reveal a stark decoupling between income and assets at the highest wealth tiers: • Income Leaders: Dover, Weston, Carlisle, Wellesley all exceed the Census Bureau's $250,000 median household income (MHI) reporting ceiling • Asset Leaders: Nantucket ($2.97M), Chilmark ($2.32M), Weston ($2.18M) dominate home value rankings • Geographic Concentration: 100% of top 20 income towns are Boston MSA suburbs; 40% of top 20 home values are island/coastal This isn't just data—it's a strategic map of two wealth systems operating in the same state but serving entirely different buyer populations.
📊The Top 20: Median Household Income Leaders
The following table ranks Massachusetts' 20 wealthiest municipalities by Median Household Income (2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates). Notice the overwhelming Boston MSA dominance:
| Rank | Municipality | Median HH Income | Per Capita Income Rank | Typical Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover | $250,000+ | 1 | $1,728,168 |
| 2 | Weston | $250,000+ | 2 | $2,181,412 |
| 3 | Carlisle | $250,000+ | 9 | $1,291,792 |
| 4 | Wellesley | $250,000+ | 11 | $1,956,045 |
| 5 | Sherborn | $247,500 | 3 | $1,100,000 (est) |
| 6 | Sudbury | $234,634 | 5 | $1,200,000 (est) |
| 7 | Wayland | $221,250 | 17 | $1,100,000 (est) |
| 8 | Lexington | $219,402 | 4 | $1,540,873 |
| 9 | Winchester | $218,176 | 12 | $1,515,457 |
| 10 | Concord | $212,315 | 8 | $1,424,957 |
| 11 | Needham | $212,241 | 23 | $1,478,142 |
| 12 | Westwood | $205,000 | 37 | $1,300,000 (est) |
| 13 | Hopkinton | $204,418 | 39 | $1,100,000 (est) |
| 14 | Harvard | $200,688 | 30 | $950,000 (est) |
| 15 | Bolton | $198,475 | 113 | $850,000 (est) |
| 16 | Norfolk | $197,379 | 115 | $750,000 (est) |
| 17 | Boxford | $192,605 | 32 | $900,000 (est) |
| 18 | Southborough | $192,006 | 34 | $950,000 (est) |
| 19 | Groton | $189,180 | 35 | $800,000 (est) |
| 20 | Cohasset | $187,060 | 18 | $1,378,881 |
100% Boston MSA Concentration
• Technology: Route 128/I-95 corridor, Cambridge innovation cluster
• Finance: Downtown Boston, asset management, private equity
• Life Sciences: Cambridge/Boston biotech hub, pharma headquarters
• Higher Education: MIT, Harvard, BU, BC executive/faculty compensation
• Healthcare: Mass General Brigham, specialized medicine, research hospitals
High median income requires proximity to high-paying employment. The geography is the economy.
🏛️The Census Ceiling: When $250K Becomes 'Not Measurable'
A critical technical constraint shapes this analysis: the Census Bureau caps public Median Household Income reporting at $250,000 to preserve data reliability and confidentiality. Four municipalities hit this ceiling: • Dover ($250,000+) • Weston ($250,000+) • Carlisle ($250,000+) • Wellesley ($250,000+) At the public data level, these four towns are statistically identical—all equally 'maxed out.' To differentiate among them, we must rely on secondary metrics:
Per Capita Income: The Finer Resolution Metric
Median Household Income can result from:
• One ultra-high earner ($300K) + non-working spouse = $300K household
• Two high earners ($150K each) = $300K household
• Three earners ($100K each) = $300K household
Per Capita Income reveals the difference by measuring income per person, regardless of household structure.
Example: Bolton (#15 MHI, #113 PCI)
High MHI likely driven by multi-earner households rather than concentrated individual wealth. This suggests:
• More households with 2-3 working professionals
• Less individual ultra-high earning concentration
• Different wealth profile than Dover (high MHI and #1 PCI)
For buyers: High PCI towns indicate deep, sustainable individual prosperity—not just household earning aggregation.
🏠The Asset Ranking: Where Capital Concentrates
When we shift from income (annual flow) to home values (accumulated stock), a radically different geography emerges. The following table ranks municipalities by Typical Home Value (Zillow Home Values Index, October 2025):
| Rank | Municipality | Typical Home Value | MHI Rank | 5-Yr Appreciation | Wealth Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nantucket | $2,974,796 | Outside Top 20 | +49.7% | External Capital |
| 2 | Chilmark | $2,322,960 | N/A | +49.8% | External Capital |
| 3 | Weston | $2,181,412 | #2 | +59.5% | Income + Asset |
| 4 | Wellesley | $1,956,045 | #4 | +47.8% | Income + Asset |
| 5 | Edgartown | $1,763,646 | Outside Top 20 | +55.3% | External Capital |
| 6 | Aquinnah | $1,738,975 | N/A | +46.4% | External Capital |
| 7 | Dover | $1,728,168 | #1 | +46.4% | Income + Asset |
| 8 | West Tisbury | $1,592,433 | N/A | +64.6% | External Capital |
| 9 | Lexington | $1,540,873 | #8 | +44.4% | Income + Asset |
| 10 | Winchester | $1,515,457 | #9 | +39.2% | Income + Asset |
| 11 | Lincoln | $1,481,379 | Outside Top 20 | +50.4% | Income + Asset |
| 12 | Needham | $1,478,142 | #11 | +46.5% | Income + Asset |
| 13 | Newton | $1,478,124 | Outside Top 20 | +38.3% | Income + Asset |
| 14 | Belmont | $1,430,789 | Outside Top 20 | +32.8% | Income + Asset |
| 15 | Concord | $1,424,957 | #10 | +53.9% | Income + Asset |
| 16 | Cohasset | $1,378,881 | #20 | +52.7% | Coastal/Income |
| 17 | Carlisle | $1,291,792 | #3 | +51.5% | Income + Asset |
| 18 | Manchester | $1,282,480 | Outside Top 20 | +55.8% | Coastal/Income |
| 19 | Tisbury | $1,268,385 | N/A | +56.9% | External Capital |
| 20 | Hingham | $1,259,531 | Outside Top 20 | +51.1% | Coastal/Income |
The Asset Decoupling: Nantucket's $3M Paradox
• Typical Home Value: $2,974,796 (highest in state)
• Median Household Income: $119,750 (outside top 20)
• Income-to-Home Value Ratio: 25:1 (vs typical 5-8:1)
What this reveals:
Nantucket's extreme home values are not supported by local earned income. Instead, they represent:
• Global capital storage (second homes, vacation properties)
• Inherited/accumulated wealth deployment
• Non-primary residence investment
• Seasonal/leisure asset positioning
Similar patterns:
• Chilmark: $2.32M homes, low local income
• Edgartown: $1.76M homes, $89,710 MHI
• Aquinnah: $1.74M homes, minimal local employment
The strategic takeaway: Coastal/island markets operate in a completely different wealth economy than income-driven suburbs. You cannot access Nantucket real estate through Boston employment income alone—you need accumulated capital or external wealth.
🎯Two Wealth Geographies: Income vs. Asset Driven
Massachusetts affluence operates in two distinct economic systems, serving fundamentally different buyer populations:
The Hybrid Markets: Best of Both Worlds?
Weston
• MHI Rank: #2 ($250K+)
• Home Value Rank: #3 ($2.18M)
• Profile: Ultra-high income and asset concentration
Wellesley
• MHI Rank: #4 ($250K+)
• Home Value Rank: #4 ($1.96M)
• Profile: Professional elite with strong asset accumulation
Dover
• MHI Rank: #1 ($250K+, PCI #1)
• Home Value Rank: #7 ($1.73M)
• Profile: Highest income concentration, strong but not peak asset values
What this means: These three suburbs successfully convert current high earnings into substantial asset wealth. They're accessible via professional income but build serious capital over time. This is the 'traditional' wealth accumulation path—earn high, buy expensive, appreciate significantly.
📈Appreciation Dynamics: Where Values Are Growing Fastest
The 5-year appreciation rates (2020-2025) reveal critical market momentum patterns. The fastest-appreciating markets are:
Key Observations: 1. Island markets dominate appreciation (4 of top 6 are Martha's Vineyard) 2. Weston is the exception: Income-driven suburb achieving island-tier appreciation (+59.5%) 3. Coastal/hybrid markets (Manchester, Cohasset) outperform pure inland suburbs 4. Slowest appreciators are still strong: Winchester (+39.2%), Newton (+38.3%), Belmont (+32.8%) Investment implication: Coastal and island markets are appreciating faster, but they require external capital to enter. Income-driven suburbs like Weston offer accessible entry via professional earnings with comparable appreciation potential.
🎓The Educational Premium: School Quality Across Wealth Tiers
All top 20 income municipalities offer exceptional educational quality (8.5-10/10 range), but school rankings reveal interesting strategic trade-offs: Elite School Districts (Top 10 Statewide): • Dover-Sherborn: #4-5 ranking (Dover MHI $250K+, Sherborn $247K) • Weston: #2 ranking (MHI $250K+) • Concord-Carlisle: #8-9 ranking (Concord MHI $212K, Carlisle $250K+) • Lexington: Top-tier urban system (MHI $219K) • Wellesley: #15 but effectively elite (MHI $250K+) The Educational Arbitrage Opportunity: Sherborn delivers identical Dover-Sherborn schools (#4-5 ranking) at dramatically lower cost: • Dover median home: $1.73M • Sherborn median home: $1.1M (estimated) • School district: Same (Dover-Sherborn Regional) • Savings: $630K+ for identical educational access Similar arbitrage exists: • Concord ($1.42M) vs. Carlisle ($1.29M) — same Concord-Carlisle schools • Needham ($1.48M) vs. nearby Dedham (~$700K) — accept slightly lower school rank (#11 vs #25) for 50% cost reduction
Explore School Districts and Town Comparisons
• Massachusetts School Districts Analysis — Compare district rankings, test scores, and college matriculation rates
• Town Comparison Tool — Side-by-side analysis of any MA municipalities
• Prestige Rankings Analysis — Comprehensive scoring across economic, educational, and quality-of-life metrics
• Sample Town Reports — In-depth profiles of Dover, Wellesley, Lexington, and more
These tools let you quantify the trade-offs between school quality, home values, and geographic positioning.
💼Employment and Economic Drivers: Why Geography = Destiny
The 100% Boston MSA concentration in the top 20 income ranking is not accidental. It reflects structural dependence on specific high-paying employment clusters:
- •Technology Corridor: Route 128/I-95 belt hosts Amazon, Meta, Oracle, Wayfair, TripAdvisor—driving demand in Weston, Needham, Wellesley, Lexington
- •Cambridge Innovation District: MIT, Harvard, biotech startups create wealth in nearby Winchester, Lexington, Concord, Belmont
- •Financial Services: Downtown Boston private equity, asset management, banking executive compensation supports Dover, Wellesley, Sherborn, Weston commuters
- •Life Sciences Hub: Cambridge/Boston biotech (Moderna, Takeda, Biogen, Vertex) generates demand in Lexington, Concord, Sudbury, Wayland
- •Healthcare/Research: Mass General Brigham, specialized medicine, academic medicine roles fund purchases in Winchester, Needham, Wellesley
- •Higher Education Administration: University leadership, endowment management, faculty positions support Lexington, Concord, Winchester markets
Remote Work Impact: Is Geography Still Destiny?
The 2023-2025 reality: Top 20 income towns remain 100% Boston MSA. Why?
• Hybrid requirements: Most high-paying roles demand 2-3 days/week in office
• Network effects: Career advancement still requires face-time, relationship capital
• Concentration benefits: Tech/finance/biotech clusters create disproportionate opportunities for those nearby
• Dual-career households: Two professionals both need Boston proximity—can't both be fully remote
Exception: Cape Cod and Berkshires have seen appreciation (20-35% 5-year gains) but median incomes haven't risen proportionally. Remote workers are bringing Boston salaries to lower-cost areas, but not enough volume to crack the top 20 income rankings yet.
Prediction: If remote work permanently normalizes, expect towns 30-45 minutes from Boston (Groton, Harvard, Bolton) to see accelerated income growth 2025-2030.
🏛️Municipal Finance: What High Wealth Means for Services
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue uses 2023 ACS income data (the same dataset in this analysis) to calculate Equalized Valuations (EQV) and allocate state aid. The fiscal implications of extreme wealth concentration are profound:
Fiscal Self-Sufficiency: The Ultimate 'Richness' Metric
Dover Example:
• Property tax base: $1.73M median × robust tax rate = massive local revenue
• State aid dependency: Near zero—town doesn't need Chapter 70 education funding
• Service quality: Top-tier schools, infrastructure, public safety funded entirely from local taxes
• Resident tax tolerance: High earners can absorb $20K-$30K annual property tax bills without strain
The Virtuous Cycle:
1. High median income → Strong property values
2. Strong property values → High assessed valuations (EQV)
3. High EQV → Minimal state aid needed
4. Local control → Funds exactly what residents want (usually: elite schools)
5. Elite schools → Attract more high earners
6. Repeat
What this means for buyers:
You're not just buying a home—you're buying into a fiscally independent municipal government with:
• Stable, high-quality public schools (no state funding volatility)
• Infrastructure investment capacity (roads, parks, libraries)
• No risk of service cuts due to state budget constraints
• Self-determination in local spending priorities
Property Tax Reality Check: While wealthy towns have high absolute tax bills, they often have *lower tax rates* due to massive property valuations: • Weston: $11.24 per $1,000 (low rate, but $2.1M home = $23,600/year) • Wellesley: $11.80 per $1,000 ($1.96M home = $23,100/year) • Dover: Varies year-to-year but similar $20K-$30K range for median homes This is structurally lower than many middle-income suburbs: • Framingham: $18-$20 per $1,000 (higher rate, lower values) • Quincy: $13-$15 per $1,000 • Brockton: $16-$18 per $1,000 Wealthy towns generate revenue from high valuations**, not high rates. This creates tax efficiency for owners.
🔍Strategic Buyer Frameworks: Which Wealth Geography Fits You?
Use the following decision framework to determine if you're an income-driven suburb buyer or an asset-driven coastal/island buyer:
You're an Income-Driven Suburb Buyer If:
✅ Your career stage: Actively employed, need proximity to Boston office/campus/hospital
✅ Your household: Dual-income professionals, both working in Greater Boston
✅ Your timeline: 7-15+ year hold period (family raising years, school continuity)
✅ Your priorities: Elite schools, commute efficiency, property appreciation, career network access
✅ Your income-to-asset ratio: Conventional (5:1 to 8:1)—$200K-$300K income supports $1M-$2.5M home with mortgage
Target towns: Dover, Weston, Wellesley, Lexington, Winchester, Concord, Needham, Sudbury, Wayland
Access strategy: Maximize mortgage capacity, prioritize school district ROI, optimize commute time-value trade-offs
You're an Asset-Driven Coastal/Island Buyer If:
✅ Your career stage: Retired, semi-retired, fully remote, or location-independent income
✅ Your household: Not dependent on dual Boston-area employment
✅ Your timeline: Seasonal use, retirement, second home, legacy asset, or lifestyle-first positioning
✅ Your priorities: Coastal access, seasonal environment, appreciation potential, lifestyle quality, asset storage
✅ Your income-to-asset ratio: Non-conventional (15:1 to 25:1)—$100K-$150K income supports $2M-$3M+ home via cash/large down payment
Target towns: Nantucket, Chilmark, Edgartown, Aquinnah, West Tisbury, Manchester, Cohasset (coastal section)
Access strategy: Deploy accumulated capital, minimize mortgage, prioritize appreciation and lifestyle over income optimization
The Hybrid Strategy: Straddle Both Markets
Some families successfully operate in both wealth geographies simultaneously:
Primary Residence: Income-driven suburb (Wellesley, Lexington, Winchester)
• Optimize for: Schools, commute, professional network
• Hold period: 10-15 years (kids K-12)
• Financing: Conventional mortgage, 20-30% down
• Appreciation: 40-60% over hold period
Secondary Property: Asset-driven coastal/island (Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod)
• Optimize for: Seasonal use, family legacy, appreciation
• Hold period: 20+ years (generational)
• Financing: All cash or minimal mortgage
• Appreciation: 50-80% over hold period
The wealth-building math: Primary residence builds stability and school access. Secondary property builds long-term asset appreciation and lifestyle optionality. Combined, you're accessing both wealth systems simultaneously.
Capital requirement: Typically $3M+ liquid net worth to execute this dual-market strategy comfortably.
📍Hidden Opportunities: Arbitrage Plays in the Top 20
For sophisticated buyers, the wealth geography data reveals specific arbitrage opportunities—towns offering elite metrics at compressed valuations:
- •Sherborn vs. Dover: Same Dover-Sherborn schools (#4-5 statewide), $630K+ median home savings. Trade: Slightly longer commute (40 min vs 32 min), less prestige.
- •Carlisle vs. Weston: Both $250K+ MHI ceiling, but Carlisle homes $1.29M vs Weston $2.18M. Trade: More rural/exurban, less established social infrastructure.
- •Lexington vs. Wellesley: Lexington $219K MHI (#8), $1.54M homes vs Wellesley $250K+ MHI (#4), $1.96M homes. Trade: $420K savings, accept urban suburb vs estate suburb feel.
- •Concord vs. Wellesley: Concord $212K MHI (#10), $1.42M homes vs Wellesley $250K+ MHI (#4), $1.96M homes. Trade: $540K savings, historical/literary prestige vs contemporary elite status.
- •Cohasset (Coastal/Income Hybrid): MHI $187K (#20), homes $1.38M. Delivers coastal access + professional income base at 30% discount to pure coastal towns (Nantucket/Chilmark).
The Medfield 'Dover-Lite' Strategy
Medfield Profile:
• School ranking: #18 statewide (9.0/10—elite tier)
• Median home value: $950K
• School quality: Functionally equivalent to Dover-Sherborn (#4-5) for 95% of families
• Savings vs Dover: $780K
• Trade-off: 38-minute commute vs 32 minutes (6 minutes)
The value thesis: You pay $780K less for the same 9.0/10 school quality, accepting a marginally longer commute and less social prestige.
Read the full analysis: The 'Dover-Lite' Value Arbitrage: How to Buy Elite Schools at 52% Off
🔮Future Outlook: Which Markets Will Appreciate Fastest 2025-2030?
Based on the dual wealth geography framework and current market dynamics, projected appreciation tiers for 2025-2030:
Contrarian Bet: The 'Remote Work Normalization' Thesis
If remote/hybrid work permanently normalizes by 2027-2030, towns in the #14-#20 MHI range could see accelerated appreciation:
Why?
• Currently offer: Elite schools, high income concentration, strong fiscal health
• Currently penalized for: 40-50 minute commutes (vs 25-35 for inner ring)
• If commute frequency drops: 3-5 days/week → 1-2 days/week
• Then: Commute penalty reduces from dealbreaker to acceptable trade-off
• Result: $800K-$1.2M homes in Harvard/Bolton appreciate toward $1.3M-$1.8M (converging with Winchester/Needham)
Risk: Remote work reverses (2026-2027 return-to-office mandates). Then these towns stay permanently discounted.
Sophisticated buyer positioning: If you believe remote work is permanent, the #14-#20 income towns are structurally undervalued by $200K-$400K relative to their school quality and income fundamentals.
⚖️Limitations and Data Considerations
Data vintage and methodology notes: • Income data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023 pooled data)—most current available, but represents pre-2024 economy • Home value data: Zillow Home Values Index (October 2025)—reflects current market, but algorithmic estimates (not closed sales) • Census $250K ceiling: Four towns exceed public reporting maximum—true MHI unknown • Seasonal fluctuations: Coastal/island home values highly seasonal; October data may not reflect summer peak pricing • Small sample sizes: Towns like Carlisle, Aquinnah, Chilmark have small populations—data less stable year-to-year Important: This analysis uses the same datasets the MA Department of Revenue relies on for fiscal policy (EQV calculations, state aid formulas). While limitations exist, these are the authoritative sources for municipal economic analysis in Massachusetts.
📚Additional Resources and Deep Dives
Explore Related Analysis
• The 'Dover-Lite' Value Arbitrage: Medfield Analysis
• The Dover Driver: Halo Effect & $530K Arbitrage
• Private School Math: Wellesley vs Framingham + Private School
School District Analysis:
• Massachusetts School Districts Rankings
• School Rating Methodology Decoded
• GreatSchools.org Rating Impact
Town Profiles & Comparison:
• Prestige Analysis: Comprehensive Town Rankings
• Town Comparison Tool
• Sample Town Reports: Dover, Wellesley, Lexington, More
• Town Finder: Discover Your Perfect Match
Market Intelligence:
• Architecture of Exclusion: Zoning & Wealth
• Massachusetts Demographic Sorting 2000-2024
• What $1M Buys in Greater Boston (November 2025)
📋Conclusion: The Strategic Takeaway
Massachusetts wealth geography reveals two parallel systems that rarely intersect: Income-Driven Suburbs (Boston MSA): • Access requirement: High W-2 professional employment • Geography: 100% concentration within Boston commute zone • Home values: $1.3M-$2.2M range • Income support: $187K-$250K+ median household income • Value driver: Current earning power + appreciation • Buyer profile: Dual-income professionals, 7-15 year family hold Asset-Driven Coastal/Islands: • Access requirement: Accumulated capital (inheritance, equity, business exit) • Geography: Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, select North Shore • Home values: $1.7M-$3M range • Income support: Often $89K-$119K local median (external wealth) • Value driver: Global capital storage + lifestyle + appreciation • Buyer profile: Retirees, seasonal residents, second homes, legacy assets Your strategic decision: 1. Identify your wealth source: Are you converting annual income or deploying accumulated capital? 2. Match geography to source: Income → Boston suburbs. Capital → Coastal/islands. 3. Optimize within tier: Income buyers: Find educational arbitrage (Sherborn, Medfield, Carlisle). Capital buyers: Target highest appreciation coastal markets. 4. Hold period discipline: Income suburbs = 7-15 years. Coastal = 15-25+ years (generational). The data doesn't lie: Where Massachusetts wealth lives depends entirely on how it's generated. Choose your geography accordingly.
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• Compare Towns — Side-by-side analysis of any MA municipalities
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• RAAM Analyzer — Score any listing on 100-point investment framework
Use these tools to quantify your trade-offs and make data-driven decisions in Massachusetts' complex wealth geography.
📖Data Sources and Methodology
Primary Data Sources: • U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), published 2023—Median Household Income, Per Capita Income, demographic data • Zillow Home Values Index: October 2025—Typical Home Value estimates, 5-year appreciation calculations • Massachusetts Department of Revenue: Equalized Valuation (EQV) methodology documentation • Boston 25 News / Stacker Analysis: October 2025 Massachusetts expensive homes ranking • Wikipedia / Data Commons: Per Capita Income rankings, municipal demographic profiles Analytical Framework: This report employs a dual-metric approach to define affluence: 1. Median Household Income (MHI): Measures current earning power and annual economic flow 2. Typical Home Value (MHV): Measures accumulated asset wealth and capital stock The divergence between these metrics reveals the fundamental insight: income-driven vs asset-driven wealth geographies operate as distinct economic systems serving different buyer populations. Confidence Level: High. Data sources are authoritative (Census Bureau, MA DOR-approved). Methodology is transparent. Limitations are disclosed (Census ceiling, seasonal fluctuations, small sample sizes for certain towns).
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