Perhaps best known for being home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – two of the world’s leading higher education institutions – Cambridge is a New England town located just across the Charles River.

Incorporated in 1826 to serve as a mill town at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers, Lowell, Massachusetts, became known as the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution. Today, it's a diversified industrial city covering 14.5 square miles. Its median age is 33.8 (2022). Tourism, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and government are among the main drivers of its economy.

Located on rolling hills in the heart of Massachusetts, Worcester (pronounced “Wooster”) combines the charm of a small, New England town with the comforts and appeal of a thriving metropolis. First established in 1722, Worcester today spans 38.4 square miles and has a median age 34.6 (2022). Education and healthcare form the foundation of its economy.