CountyScore

Berkshire County

Massachusetts · MA

#5 in Massachusetts
62.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Berkshire County, Massachusetts

Solidly above national standards

Berkshire County's composite score of 62.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 12 points. This places the county in the upper tier of livable U.S. counties despite its western Massachusetts location.

Middle of the pack statewide

Berkshire scores 62.1, edging slightly above the state average of 57.1 but ranking below the top-tier coastal counties. It represents solid livability for Massachusetts, though not exceptional by state standards.

Affordable housing is the clear winner

Berkshire's cost score of 68.7 is among the highest in the state, with median home values of $283,800 and rents of $1,042 monthly. These figures are substantially lower than most Massachusetts counties, making homeownership more attainable.

Lower incomes and higher tax burden

The income score of 30.8 reflects a median household income of $72,565, the lowest or near-lowest in this county group. An effective tax rate of 1.371% is also among the state's higher burdens, creating a squeeze on household finances.

Best for budget-conscious families

Berkshire suits families prioritizing affordability and rural character over high incomes and extensive services. It's an excellent choice for those seeking lower housing costs and a slower pace of life in western Massachusetts.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax63.7Cost68.7SafetyComing SoonHealth80.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.8Risk16WaterComing Soon
🏛63.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Berkshire County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
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62.8
Median income: $68,985
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62.8
Median income: $80,375
St. Tammany Parish
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62.8
Median income: $79,277
Harrison County
Mississippi
62.8
Median income: $57,233
Howard County
Texas
62.8
Median income: $71,457

Deep Dives

Berkshire County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Berkshire County

via TaxByCounty

Berkshire taxes exceed national average significantly

Berkshire County's effective tax rate of 1.371% is well above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top quarter of tax-burdened counties nationwide. Though the median tax bill is $3,891—lower than the national median of $2,690 in raw dollars—that's because homes are cheaper here, averaging $283,800 versus the national $281,900. Adjusted for value, Berkshire homeowners pay considerably more in taxes per dollar of property worth.

Berkshire ranks among Massachusetts' highest rates

At 1.371%, Berkshire's effective rate ranks 5th highest among Massachusetts counties, exceeding the state average of 1.065% by a substantial margin. Homeowners pay a median of $3,891 annually, which is 24% below the state median of $5,149, reflecting the county's lower home values. Berkshire's high tax rate combined with modest property values creates an unusual burden for rural western Massachusetts.

Berkshire outpaces Franklin and Hampshire competitors

Berkshire's 1.371% rate exceeds nearby Franklin County (1.514%) by a hair but substantially tops the state average and regional competitors. When compared to neighboring Connecticut and New York counties with similar Appalachian economies, Berkshire's tax rate remains relatively high. The county's rate reflects both higher municipal service costs and historic patterns of industrial mill-town taxation.

A $283,800 home costs roughly $3,891 yearly

The median Berkshire property—valued at $283,800—generates an annual tax bill of approximately $3,891, nearly identical for both mortgaged and outright owners. Over 30 years, that amounts to roughly $116,700 in total property taxes. Despite the high tax rate, Berkshire's lower home values help keep absolute tax bills modest compared to other Massachusetts counties.

Assessment errors may be inflating your taxes

In Berkshire's slower real estate market, outdated assessments can significantly overvalue properties relative to actual sales, especially in declining towns. You can appeal your assessment if comparable sales show your property is worth less than the town's estimate—a right that costs nothing to exercise. Given Berkshire's high tax rate, even a small reduction in assessed value can yield substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Berkshire County

via CostByCounty

Berkshire offers rare New England bargain

Berkshire County renters spend just 17.2% of their income on housing, beating both the national average and Massachusetts' own 19.3% state median. At $1,042 monthly rent against a $72,565 household income, Berkshire delivers surprising affordability for a New England county.

Massachusetts' most affordable county

Berkshire ranks among the most affordable counties statewide, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.2%—well below the state average of 19.3%. Its median rent of $1,042 is the lowest across all eight surveyed Massachusetts counties, making it the state's best housing value.

Berkshire undercuts every comparable county

Berkshire's $1,042 median rent significantly lags Franklin County ($1,169), Hampshire County ($1,332), and Bristol County ($1,181), despite similar median incomes across western Massachusetts. Home values here ($283,800) are among the state's lowest, offering entry points unmatched elsewhere in Massachusetts.

Housing absorbs less than one-fifth of income

Renters allocate 17.2% of their $72,565 income to the $1,042 monthly rent, while homeowners dedicate 22.6% to a $1,364 monthly owner cost on homes worth $283,800. Berkshire offers the state's best housing affordability for both renters and buyers.

Affordability meets cultural richness in Berkshire

Moving to Berkshire County means stretching your housing dollar further than anywhere else in Massachusetts while gaining access to arts, culture, and natural beauty. If you're escaping high housing costs from Boston or the Cape, Berkshire delivers both immediate savings and long-term wealth-building through homeownership.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Berkshire County

via IncomeByCounty

Berkshire slightly above national income benchmark

Berkshire County's median household income of $72,565 sits just 3% below the national median of $74,755, showing solid middle-class earnings. This near-parity with national averages reflects a stable regional economy centered on manufacturing, arts, and healthcare.

Ranks eighth among Massachusetts counties

Berkshire's $72,565 median falls 25% short of Massachusetts's $96,546 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The county faces a meaningful income gap compared to the state's most prosperous regions, though it outearns the state's lowest-income counties.

Income on par with Franklin County

Berkshire's $72,565 median closely mirrors Franklin County's $72,584, making them regional peers in western Massachusetts earnings. Both counties substantially underperform Hampshire County ($86,391) and significantly lag eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Strong affordability with modest housing costs

Berkshire's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio represents the most favorable housing affordability among all eight counties, with median home values at just $283,800. The county's lower income is offset by significantly lower property costs, making homeownership achievable for many households.

Leverage affordability to build savings and assets

Berkshire residents benefit from moderate housing costs relative to income, freeing up resources for retirement and investment accounts. Strategic financial planning—automating savings, taking advantage of employer retirement plans, and investing early—can help households capitalize on this affordability advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Berkshire County

via HealthByCounty

Berkshire lags national life expectancy

Berkshire County residents live to 77.7 years on average, nearly 2 years below the U.S. average of 79.5. At 14.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds the national rate of 17.8%, a sign that day-to-day health challenges are common.

Second-lowest life expectancy in state

Berkshire's 77.7-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Massachusetts, trailing the state average of 79.7 by 2 full years. Its 14.6% poor/fair health rate places it below the middle of state counties, suggesting residents face more health burdens than most peers.

Outperforms Bristol, trails Franklin

Berkshire's 77.7-year life expectancy exceeds Bristol County (77.4 years) but lags Franklin County (79.3 years) and Hampshire County (80.2 years). The county's 14.6% poor/fair health rate is closer to Bristol (16.7%) than the healthier counties to its east.

Excellent mental health access, sparse primary care

Berkshire stands out with 1,012 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest of any county studied—but offers only 110 primary care providers per 100,000. At 2.8% uninsured, Berkshire nearly achieves universal coverage, though access to initial care may be limited.

Ensure coverage for better outcomes

Berkshire's 2.8% uninsured rate means 2,800 residents likely lack health coverage, a barrier to managing chronic conditions. Enroll in MassHealth or a marketplace plan to secure preventive and ongoing care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Berkshire County

via RiskByCounty

Berkshire moderately exceeds national risk

Berkshire County's composite risk score of 84.00 sits comfortably above the national average, placing it in the relatively moderate risk tier. While not among the nation's highest-risk counties, Berkshire residents face measurably greater disaster exposure than Americans in lower-risk areas. The score reflects a mix of flood, earthquake, and storm hazards concentrated in the county's terrain and position.

Middle-of-the-pack risk for Massachusetts

Berkshire County ranks fifth among Massachusetts' eight counties with a composite score of 84.00, sitting above the state average of 78.84. Only Essex, Hampden, Bristol, and Barnstable counties face higher composite risk. This mid-tier position reflects Berkshire's inland, western location—protecting it from the most intense coastal hazards.

Safer than coastal counties, riskier inland

Berkshire's 84.00 score runs notably lower than coastal neighbors like Bristol (89.85) and Barnstable (89.09), yet remains materially higher than Franklin County (60.72) and Hampshire County (69.88) to the east. Berkshire's westernmost position in Massachusetts means fewer tropical storm impacts but continued earthquake and flood exposure. Geography here works in your favor compared to the coastline.

Floods and earthquakes lead the list

Berkshire residents face the most serious threat from flooding (90.65) and earthquakes (72.14), with hurricane risk (83.60) representing a secondary but real concern. Wildfire (25.19) and tornado (48.82) risks remain notably lower than in other counties. Rivers, groundwater, and underground geology drive Berkshire's top hazards.

Prioritize flood and earthquake protection

Given flood and earthquake risks both above 70, securing flood insurance and reviewing your homeowners policy for earthquake coverage should be immediate priorities. If you're in a mapped flood zone or near rivers, elevation and waterproofing improvements pay dividends over time. Earthquake safety—from securing heavy furniture to reinforcing foundations—matters more here than in many other regions.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.