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 02584 Nantucket MA 58/100 74/100
6 01810 Andover MA 57/100 47/100
7 01610 Worcester MA 56/100 60/100
8 02050 Marshfield MA 56/100 58/100
9 02558 Onset MA 56/100 73/100
10 02571 Wareham MA 56/100 63/100
11 01821 Billerica MA 55/100 43/100
12 01951 Newbury MA 55/100 52/100
13 01103 Springfield MA 53/100 82/100
14 01107 Springfield MA 53/100 82/100
15 02540 Falmouth MA 53/100 63/100
16 01608 Worcester MA 52/100 65/100
17 01901 Lynn MA 52/100 65/100
18 01952 Salisbury MA 52/100 51/100
19 02554 Nantucket MA 52/100 59/100
20 02719 Fairhaven MA 52/100 66/100
21 02738 Marion MA 52/100 72/100
22 01011 Chester MA 51/100 74/100
23 01105 Springfield MA 51/100 82/100
24 01540 Oxford MA 51/100 68/100
25 01841 Lawrence MA 51/100 55/100
26 01854 Lowell MA 51/100 58/100
27 02152 Winthrop MA 51/100 67/100
28 02176 Melrose MA 51/100 43/100
29 02325 Bridgewater MA 51/100 73/100
30 02725 Somerset MA 51/100 42/100
31 01524 Leicester MA 50/100 54/100
32 01822 Billerica MA 50/100 51/100
33 01921 Boxford MA 50/100 49/100
34 01930 Gloucester MA 50/100 55/100
35 01950 Newburyport MA 50/100 45/100
36 01966 Rockport MA 50/100 55/100
37 02155 Medford MA 50/100 36/100
38 02643 East Orleans MA 50/100 55/100
39 02726 Somerset MA 50/100 37/100
40 01506 Brookfield MA 49/100 65/100
41 01611 Cherry Valley MA 49/100 55/100
42 02045 Hull MA 49/100 40/100
43 02047 Humarock MA 49/100 45/100
44 01104 Springfield MA 48/100 82/100
45 01603 Worcester MA 48/100 65/100
46 01730 Bedford MA 48/100 59/100
47 01843 Lawrence MA 48/100 60/100
48 02630 Barnstable MA 48/100 71/100
49 02657 Provincetown MA 48/100 68/100
50 02723 Fall River MA 48/100 58/100
51 01109 Springfield MA 47/100 82/100
52 01230 Great Barrington MA 47/100 74/100
53 01301 Greenfield MA 47/100 75/100
54 01339 Charlemont MA 47/100 81/100
55 01757 Milford MA 47/100 57/100
56 01812 Andover MA 47/100 56/100
57 01899 Andover MA 47/100 56/100
58 01929 Essex MA 47/100 60/100
59 01944 Manchester MA 47/100 60/100
60 02025 Cohasset MA 47/100 69/100
61 02330 Carver MA 47/100 78/100
62 02343 Holbrook MA 47/100 68/100
63 02766 Norton MA 47/100 53/100
64 05501 Andover MA 47/100 56/100
65 05544 Andover MA 47/100 56/100
66 01005 Barre MA 46/100 56/100
67 01330 Ashfield MA 46/100 80/100
68 01440 Gardner MA 46/100 69/100
69 01719 Boxborough MA 46/100 65/100
70 01830 Haverhill MA 46/100 58/100
71 01851 Lowell MA 46/100 58/100
72 01876 Tewksbury MA 46/100 58/100
73 01907 Swampscott MA 46/100 55/100
74 01915 Beverly MA 46/100 58/100
75 02553 Monument Beach MA 46/100 55/100
76 02667 Wellfleet MA 46/100 69/100
77 02764 North Dighton MA 46/100 70/100
78 01108 Springfield MA 45/100 82/100
79 01501 Auburn MA 45/100 64/100
80 01543 Rutland MA 45/100 61/100
81 01605 Worcester MA 45/100 65/100
82 01742 Concord MA 45/100 56/100
83 01850 Lowell MA 45/100 68/100
84 01905 Lynn MA 45/100 60/100
85 01913 Amesbury MA 45/100 58/100
86 01940 Lynnfield MA 45/100 59/100
87 02093 Wrentham MA 45/100 58/100
88 02110 Boston MA 45/100 84/100
89 02148 Malden MA 45/100 33/100
90 02360 Plymouth MA 45/100 62/100
91 02543 Woods Hole MA 45/100 50/100
92 02559 Pocasset MA 45/100 68/100
93 02647 Hyannis Port MA 45/100 63/100
94 02663 South Wellfleet MA 45/100 68/100
95 02724 Fall River MA 45/100 64/100
96 02739 Mattapoisett MA 45/100 68/100
97 02791 Westport Point MA 45/100 55/100
98 01085 Westfield MA 44/100 72/100
99 01469 Townsend MA 44/100 59/100
100 01515 East Brookfield MA 44/100 68/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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 pipe infrastructure and EPA 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.

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