Suffolk County
MA · Pop. 782,172 · Urban County
Suffolk County sits in Massachusetts across 58 square miles, home to 782,172 people at 13485.7 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. A median home price of $681,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.67% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F and average winter lows of 25°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Tufts Medical Center is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Tufts Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 43.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $681,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 13485.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Suffolk County, MA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $681k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 215 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.8"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Tufts Medical Center, 2.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Suffolk County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Suffolk County?
- Suffolk County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F, and average winter lows of 25°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $681,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tufts Medical Center is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 23 hospitals in the county.
Explore Massachusetts Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Massachusetts
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The closest counties to Suffolk County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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