First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Becket, Massachusetts
Becket is a town in the southern Berkshire Mountains of Berkshire County, incorporated in 1765. The west branch of the Westfield River runs through town along with several ponds and lakes, and the Appalachian Trail crosses its western section. Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 20 both pass through Becket, which is also home to the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.
Becket at a glance
- $9.56Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $3,670Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- BerkshireCounty
- 1765Year incorporated
Becket's zip code
Becket uses a single ZIP code, 01223, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Becket center | 01223 | The town's single ZIP code, 01223, covers all of Becket. |
Things to do in Becket, MA
Start with Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and October Mountain State Forest, then 1 more below.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
A dance venue and summer festival with performances, a school, and grounds open to visitors. It draws dance companies from around the world each summer season.
Becket, MA
October Mountain State Forest
The largest state forest in Massachusetts, reaching into Becket's southeastern corner, with hiking trails, camping, and access to the Appalachian Trail.
Southeastern Becket
Appalachian Trail (Becket section)
The Appalachian Trail passes through the western part of town, offering ridge and woodland hiking.
Western Becket
A little history
Becket was incorporated in 1765 in the southern Berkshire Mountains.
In 1811, sixteen men from Becket traveled to the Western Reserve and founded the village of Windham, Ohio.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Becket
Becket's terrain of ponds, brooks, and state forest land, crossed by the Appalachian Trail, makes it a hiking and paddling town.
- October Mountain State ForestMassachusetts's largest state forest, with trails and camping in Becket's southeastern corner.
- Walnut Hill Wildlife Management AreaA wildlife management area with informal trails and undeveloped land.
- Appalachian TrailCrosses the western part of Becket, connecting to trail sections in neighboring towns.
Walkability and getting around Becket
Becket is a rural town without a dense village center; most residents and visitors get around by car, though the Jacob's Pillow campus and state forest trails offer car-free areas once you arrive.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 17 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Becket has no fixed-route public transit; the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority's routes are centered on Pittsfield, about 17 miles away. Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and U.S. Route 20 both cross the town.
Becket property taxes
Becket's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.56 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $956 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $3,670, on an average assessed value of $383,895.
Becket's FY2026 tax rates
$9.56per $1,000, residential
- Residential$9.56 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$383,895
- Average single-family tax bill$3,670
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $10.80 |
| FY2023 | $10.76 |
| FY2024 | $9.77 |
| FY2025 | $8.76 |
| FY2026 | $9.56 |
Look up a Becket property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Becket
What we check on a Becket purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, title 5 septic, private wells.
Check the flood zone first
The west branch of the Westfield River and several ponds run through Becket, putting some low-lying land near them in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BecketSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Becket Fire Department before the sale closes.
Septic systems are common outside village areas
Much of Becket relies on private septic systems rather than town sewer. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on septic can be sold, so buyers should plan for that step early.
Many homes use private wells
Becket has limited public water infrastructure, and many properties rely on private wells. Buyers should ask about well testing and yield before making an offer.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Becket?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Becket address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Becket: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Becket: Eversource (Western Massachusetts Electric) for power.
- ElectricEversource (Western Massachusetts Electric)
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Town Hall offices and contacts
Becket Town Hall.
- Town HallMain line and website
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning BoardZoning and land-use planning.
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.
- Fire DepartmentFire protection and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.
Becket, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Becket, MA?
Becket's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.56 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Becket?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,824 a year at $9.56 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Becket have a split tax rate?
No. Becket uses a single rate of $9.56 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Becket?
The average single-family tax bill in Becket was $3,670 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $383,895.
What county is Becket, MA in?
Becket is in Berkshire County, in the southern Berkshire Mountains.
What ZIP code does Becket use?
Becket uses a single ZIP code, 01223, for the whole town.
How far is Becket from Pittsfield?
Becket is about 17 miles southeast of Pittsfield.
Who supplies electricity in Becket?
Eversource (Western Massachusetts Electric) serves Becket.
Is there public transit in Becket?
Becket has no fixed-route public transit; Berkshire Regional Transit Authority routes are centered on Pittsfield.
Which towns border Becket?
Becket borders Washington, Middlefield, Chester, Blandford, Otis, Tyringham, and Lee.
Towns near Becket
Neighbors of Becket, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Becket, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Becket Arts Center photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Eversource - Massachusetts communities served: eversource.com
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: ToddC4176, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.