Cost of Living in Brookfield, MA

Population 3,442 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

93
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Brookfield a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $313,000. At 6.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Brookfield sits roughly 15 miles west of Worcester. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Worcester's $340,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 103
Rent 79

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brookfield

The median home value in Brookfield is $313,200 — 3% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,043/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,875/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. The climate averages highs of 56.7°F and lows of 39.6°F, with about 72.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Brookfield has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$313,200
3% above avg
Median Rent
$1,043/mo
21% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.0x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,438
2 BR
$1,854
3 BR
$2,265
4 BR
$2,493
Owner-occupied 84.7%
Renter-occupied 15.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,043
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,657/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
34.0 min
26% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
88.3%
Carpooled
3.1%
Work from home
8.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$71,875
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$44,865
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
38% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
58.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.9%
Graduate degree 7.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 51.5
Male median age 51.1
Female median age 52.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.7°F
Avg Low
39.6°F
Annual Precip
48.3"
Annual Snowfall
72.9"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323543566775807871594838
Low °F 171926374756626153423323
Precip" 3.523.264.194.083.564.223.934.144.244.844.004.28
Snow" 18.221.213.71.90.00.00.00.00.01.11.914.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
73.4%
Good air days/yr
148
Max AQI recorded
170
PM2.5 days
190
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brookfield, MA?

Brookfield has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brookfield, MA?

The median gross rent in Brookfield is $1,043 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brookfield?

The median home value in Brookfield is $313,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Brookfield?

The median household income in Brookfield is $71,875 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brookfield, MA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brookfield is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.

Is Brookfield, MA affordable?

Brookfield is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Brookfield?

Brookfield has average high temperatures of 56.7°F and average lows of 39.6°F. Annual precipitation is 48.3". Average annual snowfall is 72.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Brookfield at a Glance

Population
3,442
Median Income
$71,875
Home Value
$313,200
Median Rent
$1,043/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
56.7°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs