Cost of Living in Fitchburg, MA

Population 41,633 · 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

The Fitchburg cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $296,000, rents near $1,131 a month. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.9% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Fitchburg sits roughly 25 miles north of Worcester. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Worcester's $340,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 97
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Fitchburg

The median home value in Fitchburg is $295,500 — 3% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,131/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,659/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, 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 59.5°F and lows of 38.3°F. Overall, Fitchburg has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$295,500
3% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$389,788
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,131/mo
14% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,785/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,498
2 BR
$1,963
3 BR
$2,405
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 56.4%
Renter-occupied 43.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,131
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,745/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
28.8 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.4%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
2.3%
Walked
3.4%
Work from home
9.3%

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
$70,659
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,790
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
43% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.1%
Graduate degree 7.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.5
Male median age 38.5
Female median age 36.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.5°F
Avg Low
38.3°F
Annual Precip
43.4"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343745587078838274625040
Low °F 161725354656626051403022
Precip" 2.652.823.823.783.604.113.523.363.984.483.583.67

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

89.5%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
6,768
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fitchburg, MA?

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

What is average rent in Fitchburg, MA?

The median gross rent in Fitchburg is $1,131 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fitchburg?

The median home value in Fitchburg is $295,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fitchburg?

The median household income in Fitchburg is $70,659 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fitchburg, MA?

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

Is Fitchburg, MA affordable?

Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg?

Fitchburg has average high temperatures of 59.5°F and average lows of 38.3°F. Annual precipitation is 43.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fitchburg at a Glance

Population
41,633
Median Income
$70,659
Home Value
$295,500
Median Rent
$1,131/mo
Unemployment
6.9%
Avg High Temp
59.5°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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