The Absolute Cheapest Place You Can Buy A House In Massachusetts

Buying a house is a complicated process at best, and finding your dream home's optimal location can be the hardest part if you're on a budget. We love to keep track of places where you can find the best deals, and for Massachusetts, that place is currently North Adams — a city nestled in the Berkshire mountains. Homes there are selling, on average, for just $244,000. In a state where the median home value is over $650,000, this can be seen by some homeowners as a steal. But what makes this town so affordable? Whether you're a first-time buyer, an investor, or someone seeking a simpler lifestyle, North Adams is worth a closer look.

Location is typically the most important consideration for potential homeowners, and North Adams is a very remote town that borders Vermont and New York, with a population of roughly 13,700 residents. It's known as a post-industrial city, where the decline of manufacturing in the region, peaking in the 1980s, led to an economic struggle that caused a major shift in the city's economic and cultural landscape. The city started reinventing itself in the late 2010s as a tourist hotspot, as well as a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and families looking to escape bustling urban environments of New York and Boston. That said, North Adams is still struggling with high crime rates that sit well above the state and national averages. Now that it's popped up as the cheapest place to buy a home in Massachusetts, it's worth checking out what the city for what it has to offer to potential homeowners and deciding whether the affordable real estate there is worth it. 

This city offers a great opportunity for the first-time home buyer looking to enter the market without taking on substantial debt, especially if you're considering investing in a fixer-upper to renovate. The city is also a dream for remote workers looking for space, quieter surroundings, and a place where their money can go further. If you can live and work anywhere you want, why not do it next to the scenic mountains, rivers, and farmland of North Adams — an area so picturesque it was once referred to as "America's Switzerland"? 

For young families priced out of more expensive locations, North Adams may feel like an excellent place to raise their children. The city has well-rated public schools, including a local high school that's nationally recognized for college readiness and curriculum excellence. With easy access to outdoor recreation, as well as the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, this small town attempts to balance the natural world with cultural amenities that bring in a city feel. While the city may not be for everyone, it offers excellent value for money and a real investment opportunity as it continues to revitalize itself around the arts.

In North Adams, the low real estate price tag comes with a notably high crime rate — a concern that's hard to overlook for anyone seeking safety and stability. This is an issue the town has dealt with for a number of years. North Adams has an overall crime rate of 37 incidents per 1,000 residents — that's among the highest in the state and even the nation for both violent and nonviolent crimes. The violent crime rate is particularly high in North Adams compared to the state average. With residents facing a one in 99.5 chance of being a victim of assault and robbery, it puts the city at number 309 for safety on a list of 312 Massachusetts cities. Downtown is the most dangerous part of the city, while areas further away are safer. 

Even with the potential opportunities for homeowners, these elevated crime rates may make many individuals feel uneasy, limiting buyer interest and complicating efforts to build a safe and thriving neighborhood. While there are ways to make your home more secure, the heightened risk of crime represents a serious drawback — one that may outweigh the appeal of low prices and scenic charm. The most important thing is to consider all the information before taking the big step.