| Index | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 107 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 96 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 122 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in Pittsfield affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Pittsfield is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Pittsfield closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Pittsfield can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 10 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Pittsfield and this is how they responded. 60% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 40% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Pittsfield an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Pittsfield, the median home price is 3.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Pittsfield come in at $84,052, which is 3.3% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Pittsfield, healthcare costs are 14.8% higher than the national average.
The Pittsfield cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $113,961 | $9,497 | $2,659 | $3,419 |
| Renters | $43,825 | $3,652 | $1,023 | $1,315 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cheshire, MA | 705 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Adams, MA | 5,858 | 104 | 3.8% |
| East Nassau, NY | 469 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Chester, MA | 970 | 109 | 9.2% |
| Averill Park, NY | 1,508 | 111 | 11.3% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 44,143 | 107 | 7.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rohnert Park, CA | 44,183 | 157 | 56.5% |
| DeKalb, IL | 44,075 | 98 | 2.2% |
| Goose Creek, SC | 44,214 | 106 | 6.4% |
| Rocky View County, AB | 44,056 | n/a | |
| Altadena, CA | 44,242 | 189 | 88.7% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 44,143 | 107 | 7.4% |
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