Cost of Living in Great Barrington, MA
Population 7,184 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Great Barrington is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $82,484 and housing costs ($475,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.
Great Barrington is about 40 miles southeast of Albany, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 113% higher than Albany's $223,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Great Barrington
The median home value in Great Barrington is $474,800 — 56% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,243/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,484/year is 11% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, below 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 55.8°F and lows of 36.3°F. Overall, Great Barrington has a cost of living index of 131 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% more expensive.
Great Barrington has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 30 | 33 | 42 | 55 | 67 | 75 | 79 | 78 | 70 | 58 | 47 | 36 |
| Low °F | 14 | 15 | 23 | 34 | 44 | 53 | 58 | 57 | 49 | 39 | 29 | 21 |
| Precip" | 2.67 | 2.52 | 3.08 | 3.38 | 3.79 | 4.58 | 4.18 | 3.82 | 4.50 | 4.56 | 3.52 | 3.63 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Great Barrington, MA?
Great Barrington has a cost index of 131 (100 = national average). It is 31% above the national average.
What is average rent in Great Barrington, MA?
The median gross rent in Great Barrington is $1,243 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Great Barrington?
The median home value in Great Barrington is $474,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Great Barrington?
The median household income in Great Barrington is $82,484 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Great Barrington, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Great Barrington is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Great Barrington, MA affordable?
Great Barrington is above average in cost of living, with an index of 131 — about 31% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Great Barrington?
Great Barrington has average high temperatures of 55.8°F and average lows of 36.3°F. Annual precipitation is 44.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Great Barrington at a Glance
- Population
- 7,184
- Median Income
- $82,484
- Home Value
- $474,800
- Median Rent
- $1,243/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 55.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs