What it's like to live in Pittsfield
Pittsfield is a small city in Massachusetts with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and air quality that stays clean most of the year. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Pittsfield deals with crime rates above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, cold, harsh winters, and heavy snowfall.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold, harsh winters
- Heavy snowfall — 77" per year
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Pittsfield compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Pittsfield
Based on Pittsfield's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,268
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $45,360 a year
- 50% of Pittsfield renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$51,380
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $25,690
- Homes cost 3.6× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 20% below US
$1,134/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,134 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $256,900. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $256,900 · 50% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.5% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.5%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 75% above US
575 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 957/100k · Pittsfield Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 29% below US
19 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 18.5 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 10% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 77°F, and winters are cold and harsh, with lows dropping to 17°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
34% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 34% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
14 public schools inside the boundary
There are 14 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Coltsville National Historical Park (3 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Pittsfield's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,134/mo) equals 19% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive and anyone who dislikes long, cold winters.
See all the data for Pittsfield →·All Massachusetts cities →
Other places near Pittsfield
All Massachusetts guides →Moving to North Adams →
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Rent $793/mo · Income $47,500
Compare with Pittsfield →Moving to Northampton →
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Rent $1,439/mo · Income $80,288
Compare with Pittsfield →Moving to Easthampton Town →
33 mi away · pop. 16,086
Rent $1,292/mo · Income $71,673
Compare with Pittsfield →Moving to Westfield →
34 mi away · pop. 40,378
Rent $1,117/mo · Income $87,753
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