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Living in Fitchburg, MA

Small city in Massachusetts

Fitchburg is a small city in Massachusetts, home to about 42,000 people, with 806,000 living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and homes are mostly apartments.

Is Fitchburg a good place to live? Pros and cons

👍 Pros

  • Mild summers: highs around 78°F
  • Low natural disaster risk: 11 federally declared disasters since 2000
  • Easy flying: BOS is 44 mi away
  • Strong healthcare: 2 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi

👎 Cons

  • Higher taxes: about $3,502 state income tax per resident, 1.44% property tax
  • Cloudier than most places
  • Quieter on culture: few museums and attractions nearby
  • Fewer graduates: 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher

Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Fitchburg ranks against your own priorities.

Key facts

Population
42,000
806,000 within 31 mi
Winter / summer highs
35°F / 78°F
Average daily highs · 75″ snow a year
3-bedroom home
$414k
Typical value (Zillow)
3-bedroom rent
$2,250/mo
Incl. utilities (HUD)
Cost of living
103
US average = 100 (BEA)
Taxes
$3,502
State income tax per resident · 1.44% property tax
Safety
1.4× US
Violent crime vs US (FBI 2019)
Natural disasters
11 since 2000
Declared in the county · mainly flooding, hurricanes
Top-rated hospitals
2
4–5★ within 31 mi (CMS)
Adults with a degree
25%
3 research universities within 31 mi
Nearest major airport
BOS
44 mi away

Living in Fitchburg: common questions

What is the cost of living in Fitchburg?

A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $414k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,250 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are close to the US average (index 103, where the US is 100).

What are taxes like in Fitchburg?

Massachusetts collects about $3,502 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 1.44% of their home's value in property tax each year.

Is Fitchburg safe?

Violent crime is somewhat above the national rate (1.4× in FBI 2019 data).

What is the weather like in Fitchburg?

Fitchburg has long, snowy winters: winter days average around 35°F and summer days around 78°F, with roughly 75″ of snow a year.

Does Fitchburg get natural disasters?

Natural disaster risk is low, mainly from flooding and hurricanes: 11 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.21 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.

What is the nearest major airport to Fitchburg?

The nearest major airport is BOS, about 44 mi away.

How Fitchburg scores

Each bar compares Fitchburg with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).

🏙️City size Small city Major metroSmall town
🏘️Urban or quiet Suburban Dense & urbanQuiet / rural
🚶Getting around Some transit Walk & transitCar essential
🌲Culture or nature Nature nearby Culture & nightlifeNature on the doorstep
🌡️Climate Long, snowy winters Warm all yearLong, snowy winters
💰Cost of living Average cost Very expensiveVery affordable
⏱️Pace Relaxed Very fast-pacedSlow & calm
🤝Community Friendly community AnonymousTight-knit community
🏡Housing Mostly apartments ApartmentsHouses with yards
🏷️Affordable housing Average
💸Low taxes Poor
💼Job market Average
🏥Healthcare Good
🎓Education Below average
🧸Kids & family Below average
🐕Dog-friendly Below average
⛰️Outdoors Average
🎭Culture Below average
🛡️Safety Safe
🌪️Few natural disasters Good
☀️Sunny Poor
🌤️Mild summers Excellent
✈️Airport Good

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Is Fitchburg right for you?

Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.

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Sources: US Census ACS 2019–2023, Census State Tax Collections FY2025, Zillow 3-bedroom ZHVI, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, FBI 2019, FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, OpenFEMA disaster declarations, NOAA Normals 1991–2020, NASA POWER, CMS, NCES IPEDS 2023, IMLS, OpenStreetMap. How scores work.