Raleigh, N.C. – Boston is almost universally loved in Massachusetts, something that cannot be said for any of its other cities except two of its main vacation destinations—Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, which are held in even higher esteem.
78% see Boston favorably and only 12% unfavorably, which tops the six other actual cities PPP measured public opinion of by a long shot. Next is its next-door neighbor Cambridge (55-25), and then Provincetown (46-18). The others are disliked at least a little. Voters split on Worcester (29-30), and are mildly down on New Bedford (21-25). But they pretty strongly dislike Lowell (24-40) and Springfield (16-38).
Though not technically cities, Cape Cod comes in at 84-6 and the Vineyard at 71-9. Few have any quibbles with either.
Some do, however, with the urban centers. There is a 78-point marginal partisan gap on Cambridge, with 74% of Democrats and only 30% of Republicans liking it. It is 61 points for Provincetown (60-11 vs. 27-39). Independents like both of the latter, 48-30 and 39-17. Democrats like Boston best (86% favorable), but even two-thirds of Republicans like it. No one likes Springfield—37% of Democrats, 38% of independents, and 43% of Republicans see it negatively. Similarly for Lowell—25% of Republicans, 34% of independents, and 41% of Democrats frown on it—and New Bedford, which gets disfavor from 23% of Democrats, 24% of independents, and 37% of Republicans.
Provincetown is noted for its gay tourism, and supporters of same-sex marriage see the city favorably by a 63-5 margin, as opposed to 15-46 by those who oppose marriage equality. These folks see only Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard favorably.
There is a big gender divide on Provincetown and Cambridge that is not entirely explained by partisanship. Women break down 63-17 on Cambridge (as opposed to men’s 48-33) and 56-11 on Provincetown (35-25). Republican women like the latter by a 41-18 margin and the former by a 49-17 spread, versus Republicans’ overall 27-39 and 30-45 dislike.
PPP surveyed 902 Massachusetts voters from June 22nd to 24th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.3%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of Boston?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 78%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 12%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%
Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of Worcester?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 29%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 30%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 41%
Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of Springfield?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 16%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 38%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 45%
Q4 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of Lowell?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 24%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 40%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 35%
Q5 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of Cambridge?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 55%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 25%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 20%
Q6 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of New Bedford?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 21%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 25%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 54%
Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the city of Provincetown?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 46%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 18%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 37%
Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Cape Cod?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 84%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 6%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%
Q9 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Martha’s Vineyard?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 71%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 9%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 19%
Q10 Who did you vote for President in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 34%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 58%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 8%
Q11 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,
somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ……………………………………………… 13%
Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 25%
Moderate………………………………………………… 35%
Somewhat conservative……………………………. 19%
Very conservative ……………………………………. 8%
Q12 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 49%
Man……………………………………………………….. 51%
Q13 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 39%
Republican……………………………………………… 13%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 48%
Q14 If you are white, press 1. If other, press 2.
White …………………………………………………….. 85%
Other……………………………………………………… 15%
Q15 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 9%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 30%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 41%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%
