Massachusetts has 3.05 million housing units, including everything from studio apartments to luxury condos, public housing units, single family homes, and oceanfront mansions. Approximately 57% of the homes in Massachusetts are single family homes, 20% are in 2-4 multi-family homes, and 22% are in larger multifamily buildings (multifamily units refers to homes that are in structures with multiple units—not homes that are occupied by multiple families). The variation in housing supply is reflective of the diverse communities across Massachusetts. Urban municipalities have a more balanced mix of single-family homes and units in small (2-4 unit) and larger (5+) multifamily buildings. Most suburbs are predominantly single-family housing with large multifamily developments, relatively fewer 2-4 unit buildings, and a dearth of middle-income housing options.
One major distinction is whether homes are rented or owned by their occupants. Nine out of ten single-family homes are owner-occupied, while multifamily housing is over 75% renter-occupied. In many municipalities, someone looking to rent – at almost any income—has few units to choose from. The Massachusetts rental vacancy rate is around 2.5%, among the lowest in the country. There is also a mismatch of available housing type that creates more challenges for larger households. Families with two or more children face challenges finding homes with enough bedrooms. Statewide, 56% of housing units are “family-sized” with 3 or more bedrooms, but as detailed in the Conditions chapter, many family-sized units are occupied by empty nesters, singles, or roommates.