Is Massachusetts dog friendly?

We analyzed 225 cities across Massachusetts. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

✅State Preemption Law Active: Local cities in Massachusetts are legally banned from enacting breed-specific legislation against your dog.

State Average Score

C+

41/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Brockton (A+)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

2.9clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

263days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 89 representative cities (10k+ residents) in Massachusetts, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Brockton is the strongest performer in this 89 representative cities (10k+ residents) set with a Paw Score Grade of A+, helped by 263 walkable days per year and comparatively strong veterinary access. Lexington lands at the bottom with a D, where sparse vet coverage, climate stress, or housing friction create a visibly weaker dog-ownership outlook.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in Massachusetts fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $60/mo, moving to a high-demand area like Wellesley can push this implicit pet tax up to $100/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

Massachusetts has a statewide BSL preemption law. That generally limits local governments from adopting new breed bans, which reduces policy risk for owners of commonly targeted breeds. Housing rules, enforcement practices, and older local language can still vary, so local verification still matters.

Ranked Cities in Massachusetts

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

225 cities audited

Showing the first 89 of 89 representative cities in Massachusetts.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Brockton	A+	263	$54	10	105,080
#2	Abington	A+	263	$54	10	17,008
#3	Hull	A	250	$66	10	10,098
#4	Bridgewater Town	A	214	$69	10	28,669
#5	Greenfield	A	187	$38	7.8	17,662
#6	Barnstable Town	B	238	$61	6.21	49,232
#7	South Yarmouth	B	238	$58	6.21	11,642
#8	Northampton	C+	263	$49	3.51	28,640
#9	Amherst Town	C+	263	$55	3.51	35,472
#10	Worcester	C	221	$50	3.46	205,501
#11	Easthampton Town	C	202	$42	3.51	16,103
#12	Fitchburg	C	210	$40	3.46	41,633
#13	North Adams	C	205	$27	3	12,660
#14	Gardner	C	210	$37	3.46	21,075
#15	Southbridge Town	C	221	$40	3.46	17,806
#16	Nantucket	C	270	$87	3.95	10,837
#17	Hudson	C	263	$50	3.25	15,610
#18	Webster	C	221	$39	3.46	12,300
#19	Holbrook	C	263	$53	3.39	11,320
#20	Milford	C	263	$60	3.46	27,919
#21	Leominster	C	210	$45	3.46	43,697
#22	Pittsfield	C	202	$38	3	43,559
#23	Weymouth Town	C	263	$65	3.39	57,786
#24	Springfield	C	263	$39	1.56	154,751
#25	New Bedford	C	226	$38	2.29	100,731
#26	Fall River	C	226	$38	2.29	93,764
#27	Marlborough	C	263	$60	3.25	41,398
#28	Quincy	C	263	$70	3.39	101,361
#29	Franklin Town	C	263	$65	3.39	33,067
#30	Milton	C	230	$53	3.39	28,481
#31	Framingham	C	263	$65	3.25	72,013
#32	Braintree Town	C	263	$67	3.39	38,762
#33	Lowell	C	222	$56	3.25	114,799
#34	Attleboro	C	263	$51	2.29	46,499
#35	North Attleborough Town	C	263	$49	2.29	30,842
#36	Chicopee	C	263	$39	1.56	55,213
#37	Maynard	C	263	$59	3.25	10,663
#38	Stoneham	C-	263	$66	3.25	22,986
#39	Palmer Town	C-	263	$36	1.56	12,372
#40	Arlington	C-	263	$72	3.25	46,015
#41	Taunton	C-	214	$44	2.29	59,719
#42	Everett	C-	250	$70	3.25	49,236
#43	Malden	C-	250	$72	3.25	65,509
#44	Melrose	C-	250	$68	3.25	29,488
#45	Reading	C-	222	$60	3.25	25,448
#46	Somerset	C-	226	$46	2.29	18,246
#47	Boston	C-	250	$73	2.22	663,972
#48	Lynn	C-	222	$56	2.54	100,905
#49	Newton	C-	263	$84	3.25	88,504
#50	Lawrence	C-	222	$55	2.54	88,297
#51	Randolph Town	C-	230	$72	3.39	34,683
#52	Gloucester	C-	222	$49	2.54	29,862
#53	Somerville	C-	263	$86	3.25	80,549
#54	Wakefield	C-	222	$66	3.25	27,284
#55	Haverhill	C-	222	$57	2.54	67,387
#56	Methuen Town	C-	222	$56	2.54	53,043
#57	Watertown Town	C-	263	$82	3.25	35,270
#58	Medford	C-	263	$87	3.25	59,062
#59	Westfield	C-	202	$37	1.56	40,673
#60	Chelsea	C-	250	$65	2.22	39,460
#61	Holyoke	C-	202	$36	1.56	37,949
#62	Belmont	C-	263	$84	3.25	27,009
#63	Newburyport	C-	222	$53	2.54	18,444
#64	Beverly	C-	222	$59	2.54	42,408
#65	Revere	C-	250	$69	2.22	59,933
#66	Amesbury Town	C-	222	$55	2.54	17,277
#67	Norwood	C-	202	$72	3.39	31,380
#68	West Springfield Town	C-	202	$39	1.56	28,635
#69	Saugus	C-	250	$69	2.54	28,599
#70	Cambridge	C-	263	$96	3.25	117,794
#71	Brookline	D+	263	$98	3.39	62,822
#72	Salem	D+	222	$63	2.54	44,241
#73	Dedham	D+	202	$72	3.39	25,109
#74	Winthrop Town	D+	250	$67	2.22	18,807
#75	Peabody	D+	222	$67	2.54	54,180
#76	Agawam Town	D+	202	$43	1.56	28,510
#77	Waltham	D+	205	$78	3.25	64,723
#78	Marblehead	D+	222	$62	2.54	20,334
#79	Woburn	D+	205	$77	3.25	41,205
#80	Danvers	D+	222	$70	2.54	27,924
#81	Needham	D+	202	$84	3.39	32,059
#82	Winchester	D+	205	$79	3.25	22,862
#83	Wilmington	D+	205	$84	3.25	23,195
#84	Longmeadow	D	216	$58	1.56	15,724
#85	Swampscott	D	222	$78	2.54	15,209
#86	Burlington	D	205	$91	3.25	26,223
#87	Lynnfield	D	222	$82	2.54	12,964
#88	Wellesley	D	202	$100	3.39	29,906
#89	Lexington	D	205	$99	3.25	34,085

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 89 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Brockton currently ranks first in Massachusetts. It posts a Paw Score grade of A+, supported by 263 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across Massachusetts is approximately $60 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

Massachusetts has a statewide Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) preemption law. That generally blocks local governments from adopting new breed bans, but you should still confirm local enforcement and housing rules before moving.