We all want to get the biggest bang for our buck and your zip code can really affect how far your money goes. While some places in Massachusetts are known for being pricey places to live, there are plenty of spots that are both affordable and great places to live.
HomeSnacks compared the cost of housing, food, gas, health insurance, utilities and transportation in each town in Massachusetts and compiled a handy list of the most affordable communities to life in. Bear in mind, Massachusetts is one of the priciest states in the nation to live in.
Here are the towns in the Bay State where the cost of living is the lowest.
- North Adams
Wikimedia Commons/Beyond my Ken North Adams has a population of about 13,725. It scored almost 20 percent lower than the national average for housing and came in below the national average in every category but transportation and groceries. These were 18 percent and 19 percent above the national average, respectively.
- Pittsfield
Wikimedia Commons/protophobic Pittsfield has a population of about 44,542, making it one of the larger towns on this list. It scored below the national average in terms of costs for services, healthcare, housing and utilities. Transportation and groceries in Pittsfield generally are about 18 and 19 percent more expensive than the national average.
- Gardner
Wikimedia Commons/Hazmat2 Gardner has a population of about 20,250. It scored below the national average in housing and is the third cheapest place to live in the state when all there categories are considered as well. It’s also home to the world’s largest chair. So there’s that.
- Greenfield
Wikimedia Commons/Tod C4176 Greenfield is smaller community with a population of about 17,543. It scored below the national average for utilities, healthcare, housing and services.
- Springfield
Wikimedia Commons/John Phelan With a population of about 153,278, Springfield is one of the largest cities in the state. However, it’s also the most affordable major urban center. It scored a whopping 15 percent below the national average for housing and earned respectable scores in all other categories.
- Fitchburg
Wikmedia Commons/Nick Allen Fitchburg has a population of about 40,314. It scored right about at the national average for all categories, which still makes this town the sixth most affordable place to live in the state.
- Chicopee
Wikimedia Commons/John Phelan Chicopee has a population of about 55,326. While it scored about 20 to 25 percent higher for services and groceries than the national average, it’s still one of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts in terms of housing, transportation and healthcare.
- Holyoke
WIkimedia Commos/John Phelan Holyoke has a population of about 39,996. It scored below the national average for housing and also ranked well in transportation and healthcare.
- Palmer
Flickr/Robert Fuhro Palmer has a population of about 12,159, making it one of the smallest towns on this list. It ranked right at the national average for housing and also earned good score for transportation costs, healthcare and services.
- West Springfield
Wikimedia Commons/John Phelan West Springfield has a population of about 28.411. It scored well in housing and transportation, with decent scores in healthcare and services as well.
Keep in mind that a even score slightly above the national average is still a good score for the costly state of Massachusetts. Thanks again to HomeSnacks for their awesome research. Click here for more great places to live in Massachusetts.
Wikimedia Commons/Beyond my Ken
North Adams has a population of about 13,725. It scored almost 20 percent lower than the national average for housing and came in below the national average in every category but transportation and groceries. These were 18 percent and 19 percent above the national average, respectively.
Wikimedia Commons/protophobic
Pittsfield has a population of about 44,542, making it one of the larger towns on this list. It scored below the national average in terms of costs for services, healthcare, housing and utilities. Transportation and groceries in Pittsfield generally are about 18 and 19 percent more expensive than the national average.
Wikimedia Commons/Hazmat2
Gardner has a population of about 20,250. It scored below the national average in housing and is the third cheapest place to live in the state when all there categories are considered as well. It’s also home to the world’s largest chair. So there’s that.
Wikimedia Commons/Tod C4176
Greenfield is smaller community with a population of about 17,543. It scored below the national average for utilities, healthcare, housing and services.
Wikimedia Commons/John Phelan
With a population of about 153,278, Springfield is one of the largest cities in the state. However, it’s also the most affordable major urban center. It scored a whopping 15 percent below the national average for housing and earned respectable scores in all other categories.
Wikmedia Commons/Nick Allen
Fitchburg has a population of about 40,314. It scored right about at the national average for all categories, which still makes this town the sixth most affordable place to live in the state.
Chicopee has a population of about 55,326. While it scored about 20 to 25 percent higher for services and groceries than the national average, it’s still one of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts in terms of housing, transportation and healthcare.
WIkimedia Commos/John Phelan
Holyoke has a population of about 39,996. It scored below the national average for housing and also ranked well in transportation and healthcare.
Flickr/Robert Fuhro
Palmer has a population of about 12,159, making it one of the smallest towns on this list. It ranked right at the national average for housing and also earned good score for transportation costs, healthcare and services.
West Springfield has a population of about 28.411. It scored well in housing and transportation, with decent scores in healthcare and services as well.
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