2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Massachusetts — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

695 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 02066 (Scituate, MA) - 65/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 695 ZIP codes with data in Massachusetts, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Massachusetts Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 695
Highest value 65/100
Median value 34/100
State Massachusetts

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 02066 Scituate MA 65/100 51/100
2 01908 Nahant MA 60/100 53/100
3 01338 Buckland MA 58/100 63/100
4 01840 Lawrence MA 58/100 65/100
5 01810 Andover MA 57/100 47/100
6 01610 Worcester MA 56/100 60/100
7 02050 Marshfield MA 56/100 58/100
8 02558 Onset MA 56/100 73/100
9 02571 Wareham MA 56/100 63/100
10 01821 Billerica MA 55/100 43/100
11 01951 Newbury MA 55/100 52/100
12 01103 Springfield MA 53/100 82/100
13 01107 Springfield MA 53/100 82/100
14 02540 Falmouth MA 53/100 63/100
15 01608 Worcester MA 52/100 65/100
16 01901 Lynn MA 52/100 65/100
17 01952 Salisbury MA 52/100 51/100
18 02554 Nantucket MA 52/100 59/100
19 02719 Fairhaven MA 52/100 66/100
20 02738 Marion MA 52/100 72/100
21 01011 Chester MA 51/100 74/100
22 01105 Springfield MA 51/100 82/100
23 01540 Oxford MA 51/100 68/100
24 01841 Lawrence MA 51/100 55/100
25 01854 Lowell MA 51/100 58/100
26 02152 Winthrop MA 51/100 67/100
27 02176 Melrose MA 51/100 43/100
28 02325 Bridgewater MA 51/100 73/100
29 02725 Somerset MA 51/100 42/100
30 01524 Leicester MA 50/100 54/100
31 01921 Boxford MA 50/100 49/100
32 01930 Gloucester MA 50/100 55/100
33 01950 Newburyport MA 50/100 45/100
34 01966 Rockport MA 50/100 55/100
35 02155 Medford MA 50/100 36/100
36 02726 Somerset MA 50/100 37/100
37 01506 Brookfield MA 49/100 65/100
38 01611 Cherry Valley MA 49/100 55/100
39 02045 Hull MA 49/100 40/100
40 02047 Humarock MA 49/100 45/100
41 01104 Springfield MA 48/100 82/100
42 01603 Worcester MA 48/100 65/100
43 01730 Bedford MA 48/100 59/100
44 01843 Lawrence MA 48/100 60/100
45 02630 Barnstable MA 48/100 71/100
46 02657 Provincetown MA 48/100 68/100
47 02723 Fall River MA 48/100 58/100
48 01109 Springfield MA 47/100 82/100
49 01230 Great Barrington MA 47/100 74/100
50 01301 Greenfield MA 47/100 75/100
51 01339 Charlemont MA 47/100 81/100
52 01757 Milford MA 47/100 57/100
53 01929 Essex MA 47/100 60/100
54 01944 Manchester MA 47/100 60/100
55 02025 Cohasset MA 47/100 69/100
56 02330 Carver MA 47/100 78/100
57 02343 Holbrook MA 47/100 68/100
58 02766 Norton MA 47/100 53/100
59 01005 Barre MA 46/100 56/100
60 01330 Ashfield MA 46/100 80/100
61 01440 Gardner MA 46/100 69/100
62 01719 Boxborough MA 46/100 65/100
63 01830 Haverhill MA 46/100 58/100
64 01851 Lowell MA 46/100 58/100
65 01876 Tewksbury MA 46/100 58/100
66 01907 Swampscott MA 46/100 55/100
67 01915 Beverly MA 46/100 58/100
68 02667 Wellfleet MA 46/100 69/100
69 02764 North Dighton MA 46/100 70/100
70 01108 Springfield MA 45/100 82/100
71 01501 Auburn MA 45/100 64/100
72 01543 Rutland MA 45/100 61/100
73 01605 Worcester MA 45/100 65/100
74 01742 Concord MA 45/100 56/100
75 01850 Lowell MA 45/100 68/100
76 01905 Lynn MA 45/100 60/100
77 01913 Amesbury MA 45/100 58/100
78 01940 Lynnfield MA 45/100 59/100
79 02093 Wrentham MA 45/100 58/100
80 02110 Boston MA 45/100 84/100
81 02148 Malden MA 45/100 33/100
82 02360 Plymouth MA 45/100 62/100
83 02543 Woods Hole MA 45/100 50/100
84 02559 Pocasset MA 45/100 68/100
85 02647 Hyannis Port MA 45/100 63/100
86 02663 South Wellfleet MA 45/100 68/100
87 02724 Fall River MA 45/100 64/100
88 02739 Mattapoisett MA 45/100 68/100
89 02791 Westport Point MA 45/100 55/100
90 01085 Westfield MA 44/100 72/100
91 01469 Townsend MA 44/100 59/100
92 01515 East Brookfield MA 44/100 68/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

Get safety alerts for Massachusetts

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool - no phone call required.