We're in MA for several reasons.
Initially, it's where our families lived (and where we met), so we stayed local when the kids were young.
I had a job offer in another state, but couldn't take it for a few reasons.
The MA public schools are pretty amazing. I have one kid on an IEP, and they've done very right by him.
Health insurance coverage. MA was a leader when it came to making sure health insurance providers took care of the young, the old and the sick. My husband is a type 1 diabetic, I have a chronic thyroid issue and one of our kids is on medication for neuroatypical stuff. Once the groundwork was laid for required minimum coverage to be much better nationwide, I thought we could spread our wings a bit and move...but I cannot in good conscience move us anywhere that could put our ability to get health coverage in jeopardy just because some states prefer not to hold insurers accountable to care for the people who need it (unless they can foot the bill for out of pocket costs, which we can't on our best day). I've seen the bills that some states drafted when it looked like the requirements might be lifted, and it's gross.
So I'll stay here, pay the high cost of living, and at least know my kids are well educated without going to private school and my family's health is in good hands.