B
oston may be a top city for retirees, but Massachusetts isn't a hotspot for older home buyers. According to a report by Construction Coverage, only 17.5% of home purchases in the state were made by buyers aged 55 and above, placing it among the bottom states.

    Maine was the only New England state to crack the top 10, with nearly 26% of purchases made by age 55-plus buyers. The state's economy is rooted in traditional industries like forestry, fishing, and small-scale farming, which may appeal more to older buyers.

    The top 10 states for older home buyers are largely warm-weather destinations, including Florida, South Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada. These states offer retirement-friendly environments that draw a larger share of older buyers.

    In contrast, the Midwest and Northeast have some of the lowest rates of older home buyers, with Massachusetts ranking low due to its strong appeal to working-age professionals and families. Metro Boston has a lower share of older home buyers, with 16.2% of home buyers aged 55 or older, compared to the national average of 21.2%.

    Providence was the only New England city to rank near the top of the list of large metros with the oldest home buyers, with 20.4%. The top 10 metros for older home buyers include cities like Tucson and Phoenix in Arizona, while the bottom large metros include areas like San Jose and Seattle.

    In mid-size metros, Springfield and Worcester ranked near the bottom, while Barnstable had the 13th highest percentage of oldest home buyers at 40%.