2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Massachusetts — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

695 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 02066 (Scituate, MA) - 68/100
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 68/100
Median value 36/100
State Massachusetts

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 02066 Scituate MA 68/100 51/100
2 01908 Nahant MA 63/100 53/100
3 01338 Buckland MA 62/100 63/100
4 02584 Nantucket MA 61/100 74/100
5 01810 Andover MA 60/100 47/100
6 01840 Lawrence MA 60/100 65/100
7 01610 Worcester MA 59/100 60/100
8 02050 Marshfield MA 59/100 58/100
9 02558 Onset MA 59/100 73/100
10 02571 Wareham MA 59/100 63/100
11 01951 Newbury MA 58/100 52/100
12 01821 Billerica MA 57/100 43/100
13 02540 Falmouth MA 56/100 63/100
14 01103 Springfield MA 55/100 82/100
15 01107 Springfield MA 55/100 82/100
16 01901 Lynn MA 55/100 65/100
17 02719 Fairhaven MA 55/100 66/100
18 02738 Marion MA 55/100 72/100
19 01608 Worcester MA 54/100 65/100
20 01822 Billerica MA 54/100 51/100
21 01841 Lawrence MA 54/100 55/100
22 01952 Salisbury MA 54/100 51/100
23 02152 Winthrop MA 54/100 67/100
24 02176 Melrose MA 54/100 43/100
25 02325 Bridgewater MA 54/100 73/100
26 02554 Nantucket MA 54/100 59/100
27 02725 Somerset MA 54/100 42/100
28 01011 Chester MA 53/100 74/100
29 01105 Springfield MA 53/100 82/100
30 01540 Oxford MA 53/100 68/100
31 01854 Lowell MA 53/100 58/100
32 01921 Boxford MA 53/100 49/100
33 01950 Newburyport MA 53/100 45/100
34 01966 Rockport MA 53/100 55/100
35 02155 Medford MA 53/100 36/100
36 02643 East Orleans MA 53/100 55/100
37 02726 Somerset MA 53/100 37/100
38 01524 Leicester MA 52/100 54/100
39 01930 Gloucester MA 52/100 55/100
40 02045 Hull MA 52/100 40/100
41 02047 Humarock MA 52/100 45/100
42 01506 Brookfield MA 51/100 65/100
43 01603 Worcester MA 51/100 65/100
44 01611 Cherry Valley MA 51/100 55/100
45 01812 Andover MA 51/100 56/100
46 01843 Lawrence MA 51/100 60/100
47 01899 Andover MA 51/100 56/100
48 02723 Fall River MA 51/100 58/100
49 05501 Andover MA 51/100 56/100
50 05544 Andover MA 51/100 56/100
51 01104 Springfield MA 50/100 82/100
52 01109 Springfield MA 50/100 82/100
53 01301 Greenfield MA 50/100 75/100
54 01339 Charlemont MA 50/100 81/100
55 01730 Bedford MA 50/100 59/100
56 01757 Milford MA 50/100 57/100
57 01944 Manchester MA 50/100 60/100
58 02025 Cohasset MA 50/100 69/100
59 02330 Carver MA 50/100 78/100
60 02343 Holbrook MA 50/100 68/100
61 02630 Barnstable MA 50/100 71/100
62 02766 Norton MA 50/100 53/100
63 01005 Barre MA 49/100 56/100
64 01230 Great Barrington MA 49/100 74/100
65 01330 Ashfield MA 49/100 80/100
66 01719 Boxborough MA 49/100 65/100
67 01830 Haverhill MA 49/100 58/100
68 01907 Swampscott MA 49/100 55/100
69 01915 Beverly MA 49/100 58/100
70 01929 Essex MA 49/100 60/100
71 02553 Monument Beach MA 49/100 55/100
72 02714 Dartmouth MA 49/100 62/100
73 01108 Springfield MA 48/100 82/100
74 01440 Gardner MA 48/100 69/100
75 01501 Auburn MA 48/100 64/100
76 01543 Rutland MA 48/100 61/100
77 01742 Concord MA 48/100 56/100
78 01850 Lowell MA 48/100 68/100
79 01851 Lowell MA 48/100 58/100
80 01876 Tewksbury MA 48/100 58/100
81 01905 Lynn MA 48/100 60/100
82 01940 Lynnfield MA 48/100 59/100
83 02093 Wrentham MA 48/100 58/100
84 02110 Boston MA 48/100 84/100
85 02148 Malden MA 48/100 33/100
86 02360 Plymouth MA 48/100 62/100
87 02559 Pocasset MA 48/100 68/100
88 02647 Hyannis Port MA 48/100 63/100
89 02657 Provincetown MA 48/100 68/100
90 02663 South Wellfleet MA 48/100 68/100
91 02667 Wellfleet MA 48/100 69/100
92 02739 Mattapoisett MA 48/100 68/100
93 02764 North Dighton MA 48/100 70/100
94 02791 Westport Point MA 48/100 55/100
95 01469 Townsend MA 47/100 59/100
96 01515 East Brookfield MA 47/100 68/100
97 01527 Millbury MA 47/100 53/100
98 01560 South Grafton MA 47/100 64/100
99 01605 Worcester MA 47/100 65/100
100 01890 Winchester MA 47/100 60/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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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