The 01520 zip code in Holden tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts.
We looked at 240 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Massachusetts
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holden 🥇 | 100.0 | $554,990 | $2,715 |
| 2 | Hanover 🥈 | 98.5 | $815,656 | $2,716 |
| 3 | Sharon 🥉 | 96.3 | $867,798 | $2,800 |
| 4 | Westford | 96.1 | $835,638 | $2,818 |
| 5 | Bellingham | 94.5 | $538,218 | $2,551 |
| 6 | Hopkinton | 93.8 | $963,829 | $2,749 |
| 7 | Walpole | 93.5 | $765,570 | $2,569 |
| 8 | Billerica | 92.1 | $698,304 | $2,733 |
| 9 | Franklin | 91.1 | $701,555 | $2,479 |
| 10 | Pittsfield | 90.6 | $304,109 | $1,490 |
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1. Holden
Here's why the 01520 zip code in Holden is Massachusetts's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Holden
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $554,990[1] | No. 78 | -$145,923.21 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.7 | No. 2 | -2.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 35.2%[2] | No. 146 | 6.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.1%[3] | No. 178 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $2,715[4] | No. 166 | $49 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.83% | No. 22 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $148,125[5] | No. 46 | $37,145 |
| Property taxes | $6,474[6] | No. 146 | $502 |
| Energy costs | $0.25 kWh[7] | No. 171 | $0.02 |
Holden's 01520 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Massachusetts, leading the 240 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $554,990, making it the 78th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 1.1% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $2,715 per month, which is the 22nd cheapest amount in Massachusetts.
The median property tax for homeowners in Holden is $6,474 per household, the No. 146 ranked market in Massachusetts.
Residents pay $0.25 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 171 among Massachusetts markets.
2. Hanover
The 2339 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Massachusetts.
🔎 Key data about Hanover
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.5 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $815,656[8] | No. 180 | $114,742.86 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.3 | No. 19 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 34.5%[9] | No. 129 | 5.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[10] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,716[11] | No. 167 | $51 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.43% | No. 5 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $189,803[12] | No. 19 | $78,823 |
| Property taxes | $9,342[13] | No. 203 | $3,370 |
| Energy costs | $0.25 kWh[14] | No. 171 | $0.02 |
Hanover's 2339 zip code has a median home value of $815,656, which is the 1st-cheapest housing market in Massachusetts. You can rent for an average of $2,716 per month. That's the 167th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $189,803, which ranks 19th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Hanover pay a median property tax of $9,342 per year, making it the 203rd-most affordable market in Massachusetts.
Hanover ranks No. 171 among Massachusetts energy markets. You'll pay $0.25 per kWh of electricity.
3. Sharon
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Massachusetts is Sharon's 2067 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Sharon
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.3 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $867,798[15] | No. 189 | $166,885.01 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.5 | No. 26 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 31.4%[16] | No. 92 | 2.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[17] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,800[18] | No. 186 | $134 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.46% | No. 7 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $192,314[19] | No. 18 | $81,334 |
| Property taxes | $10,001[20] | No. 214 | $4,029 |
| Energy costs | $0.21 kWh[21] | No. 35 | -$0.02 |
The No. 189 cheapest housing market in Massachusetts is Sharon's 2067 zip code, with a median home value of $867,798. Rents in the market average $2,800 per month, making it the 186th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Sharon is $10,001, which makes it the 214th-cheapest place in Massachusetts. Sharon ranks No. 35 among Massachusetts markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.21 per kWh of electricity.
4. Westford
The 1886 zip code in Westford comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts.
🔎 Key data about Westford
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.1 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $835,638[22] | No. 183 | $134,724.54 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.5 | No. 24 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 32.3%[23] | No. 99 | 3.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[24] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,818[25] | No. 187 | $152 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.51% | No. 9 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $187,198[26] | No. 22 | $76,218 |
| Property taxes | $9,695[27] | No. 210 | $3,723 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[28] | No. 53 | -$0.01 |
The No. 183 cheapest housing market in Massachusetts is Westford's 1886 zip code, where the median home value is $835,638. Renters here pay an average of $2,818 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Westford ranks 53rd among Massachusetts markets. Residents pay $0.22 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $9,695, which makes it the 210th-cheapest market in Massachusetts.
5. Bellingham
The 2019 zip code in Bellingham ranks No. 5 among Massachusetts's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Bellingham
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 94.5 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $538,218[29] | No. 72 | -$162,695.53 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.3 | No. 18 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.7%[30] | No. 82 | 0.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[31] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,551[32] | No. 62 | -$115 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.04% | No. 43 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $125,307[33] | No. 90 | $14,327 |
| Property taxes | $5,030[34] | No. 91 | -$942 |
| Energy costs | $0.24 kWh[35] | No. 132 | $0.01 |
Bellingham's 2019 zip code has a median home value of $538,218, the 72nd-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.1% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Bellingham is $5,030. It's the 91st-cheapest market by tax rate in Massachusetts.
6. Hopkinton
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Massachusetts is the 1748 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Hopkinton
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.8 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $963,829[36] | No. 202 | $262,916.26 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.3 | No. 20 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 40.3%[37] | No. 199 | 11.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[38] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,749[39] | No. 177 | $83 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.23% | No. 2 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $222,801[40] | No. 12 | $111,821 |
| Property taxes | $10,001[41] | No. 214 | $4,029 |
| Energy costs | $0.24 kWh[42] | No. 132 | $0.01 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Hopkinton's 1748 zip code, which has the 202nd-cheapest home values in Massachusetts. The median home value is $963,829. Rents average $2,749 per month, making it the 177th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.24 per kWh of electricity. It's the 132nd-cheapest energy market.
7. Walpole
Walpole's 2081 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Massachusetts.
🔎 Key data about Walpole
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.5 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $765,570[43] | No. 168 | $64,657.13 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.9 | No. 53 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 27.8%[44] | No. 64 | -1.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[45] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,569[46] | No. 66 | -$97 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.64% | No. 12 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $156,250[47] | No. 38 | $45,270 |
| Property taxes | $8,502[48] | No. 196 | $2,530 |
| Energy costs | $0.23 kWh[49] | No. 66 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 168th-cheapest home values in Massachusetts in Walpole's 2081 zip code. The median value: $765,570. Renters in Walpole pay an average of $2,569 per month.
Homeowners in Walpole pay a median property tax of $8,502 per year, which is Massachusetts's 196th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $156,250, which ranks 38th-highest in the state.
8. Billerica
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Massachusetts is Billerica's 1821 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Billerica
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 92.1 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $698,304[50] | No. 141 | -$2,609.52 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.7 | No. 36 | -1.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.6%[51] | No. 78 | 0.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[52] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,733[53] | No. 174 | $68 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.83% | No. 23 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $149,042[54] | No. 45 | $38,062 |
| Property taxes | $6,316[55] | No. 139 | $344 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[56] | No. 61 | -$0.01 |
The 141st-cheapest housing market in Massachusetts is Billerica's 1821 zip code, with a median home value of $698,304. Renters pay an average of $2,733 per month, the No. 174 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Billerica is $6,316, which makes it the 139th-cheapest place in Massachusetts. The average household income of $149,042 ranks 45th.
9. Franklin
Franklin's 2038 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Massachusetts's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Franklin
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.1 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $701,555[57] | No. 144 | $642.17 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.8 | No. 44 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 32.5%[58] | No. 105 | 3.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[59] | No. 1 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $2,479[60] | No. 52 | -$186 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.70% | No. 16 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $145,773[61] | No. 50 | $34,793 |
| Property taxes | $7,044[62] | No. 169 | $1,072 |
| Energy costs | $0.24 kWh[63] | No. 132 | $0.01 |
The 144th-cheapest housing market in Massachusetts is Franklin's 2038 zip code, where the median home value is $701,555. Renters pay an average of $2,479 per month. It's the state's 52nd-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $7,044, which makes it the 169th-cheapest property tax rate in Massachusetts.
10. Pittsfield
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts goes to the 1201 zip code in Pittsfield.
🔎 Key data about Pittsfield
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 240 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.6 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $304,109[64] | No. 6 | -$396,804.25 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.3 | No. 14 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 43.5%[65] | No. 223 | 14.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.5%[66] | No. 209 | 1.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,490[67] | No. 2 | -$1,176 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.10% | No. 49 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $71,093[68] | No. 204 | -$39,887 |
| Property taxes | $4,177[69] | No. 44 | -$1,795 |
| Energy costs | $0.25 kWh[70] | No. 171 | $0.02 |
The 6th-most affordable market in Massachusetts is Pittsfield's 1201 zip code. The median home value is $304,109. Rent in the market costs $1,490 per month on average, making it the 2nd-most affordable rental market in Massachusetts.
The median property tax for households in Pittsfield is $4,177, which is the 44th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Pittsfield ranks No. 171 among Massachusetts markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.25 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Massachusetts
We evaluated 240 zip codes in Massachusetts with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Massachusetts, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Massachusetts average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Massachusetts average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
