Compare towns

Hancock vs Monroe vs Pittsfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hancock has the most expensive homes ($376k median).
Monroe has the most affordable homes ($165k median).
Pittsfield has the most renters (37.2% rent).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureHancockMonroePittsfield
People
Population
752
122Lowest
43,457Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
—
-1.8%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.1±11.1
18% above MA
60.2±9.9Highest
51% above MA
42.4±2Lowest
6% above MA
Monroe and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.1%±4.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±28Lowest
MA: 19.4%
17.6%±1.4
MA: 19.4%
Hancock and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.3%±5.3
MA: 17.9%
31.1%±27.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
19.4%±1.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Monroe and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.7%Highest
MA: 47.3%
19.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
34.2%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9%±18.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
6.2%±1.1
MA: 7.9%
Monroe and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$96,250±$26kHighest
7% below MA
—
$70,582±$5kLowest
32% below MA
Hancock and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$375,500±$21kHighest
33% below MA
$165,000±$141kLowest
71% below MA
$256,900±$8k
54% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,268±$415Highest
28% below MA
—
$1,134±$61Lowest
36% below MA
Hancock and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,018Lowest
83% below MA
$2,053
66% below MA
$4,148Highest
31% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.1%±36.3
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±5.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
Pittsfield and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
38.5%Highest
MA: 10%
14.9%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.8%Highest
MA: 62.5%
75.9%
MA: 62.5%
62.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1989Highest
25 yrs newer than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1950
14 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
25% below MA
56 minHighest
93% above MA
19 minLowest
36% below MA
Work from home
10.4%±4.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
0%±41.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
10.2%±2.2
MA: 18.6%
Hancock and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — — #251 of 282 in MA
School district Hancock — Pittsfield
High school in town None in town — Taconic High
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.3
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.