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Retirement community in Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Gloucester, Massachusetts Retirement Guide

61

Retirement Score

Gloucester, Massachusetts at a Glance

Median Home Price
$535,100
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.
Avg January Low
24.7°F
Cost of Living Index
109.4 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
61 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Gloucester, Massachusetts, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
109.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$84,465High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Gloucester's cost of living is 9.400000000000006% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$535,100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,390High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
61.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Gloucester using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,159

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,302

Median home price used: $535,100

Median rent reference: $1,390 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Gloucester, Massachusetts after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
64.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Gloucester scores 100 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Gloucester

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Gloucester →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Massachusetts has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
81.2°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
24.7°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
47.6"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
272 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 272 sunny days a year and an average January low of 24.7°F, Gloucester offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
51.6 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
7 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
29,830High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
51.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
25.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
5.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
39.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
90.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
1.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
4.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
2.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Gloucester

What is the cost of living in Gloucester, Massachusetts for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 109, roughly 9% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $535,100.

Does Massachusetts tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Massachusetts residents: State income tax; Social Security exempt; many public pensions exempt with partial rules for others.

What is the climate like in Gloucester, Massachusetts?▾

Gloucester, Massachusetts has January average low around 25°F, July average high around 81°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Gloucester, Massachusetts?▾

Gloucester scores 100/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

WERNAU ASSET MANAGEMENT

WERNAU ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.

Financial Advisor

GOOD HARBOR ADVISORS, INC.

Financial Advisor

GOOD HARBOR ADVISORS, INC.

Financial Advisor

+17 more financial advisors available

Interested in Gloucester? Talk to a Local Expert.

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