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 Monterey, Massachusetts
Monterey is a town in the southern Berkshires, set among the hills between Lake Garfield and Lake Buel, with Route 23 as its main east-west road. The area was originally part of Tyringham, incorporated in 1767, and split off as its own town in 1847, taking its name from the Mexican-American War battle at Monterrey.
Monterey at a glance
- $7.22Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,815Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-40 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Monterey's zip code
Monterey uses ZIP code 01245; some addresses near the town's southern edge use Great Barrington's 01230 ZIP.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey center | 01245 | Along Route 23, the town's civic and commercial center. |
Things to do in Monterey, MA
Start with Bidwell House Museum and Beartown State Forest, then 1 more below.
Bidwell House Museum
A restored Georgian saltbox built around 1760 as a parsonage, furnished with period pieces and set on 194 acres in the Berkshire hills. The grounds and gardens are open free year-round; house tours run by appointment through October.
100 Art School Road, Monterey, MA
Plan a visitBeartown State Forest
A state forest that extends into Monterey, crossed by the Appalachian Trail.
Off Route 23, Monterey / Great Barrington / Tyringham
Lake Garfield
A town lake with a public beach used for swimming and boating.
Off Tyringham Road, Monterey
More worth a visit
- Lake BuelA second lake in town, used for boating and fishing.
A little history
The area that became Monterey was originally part of Tyringham, which was incorporated in 1767.
Monterey split off from Tyringham and was incorporated as its own town in 1847, taking its name from the Battle of Monterrey in the Mexican-American War.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Monterey
Monterey's hills hold two lakes, Garfield and Buel, and a portion of Beartown State Forest, where the Appalachian Trail crosses through town.
- Lake GarfieldA town lake with a public beach.
- Lake BuelA lake used for boating and fishing.
- Beartown State ForestState forest land crossed by the Appalachian Trail.
Walkability and getting around Monterey
Monterey's town center along Route 23 is small, and most of the town, including the areas around both lakes, is rural and built for driving.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 21 miles35-40 min
- Albany International Airport, about 55 miles65-75 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Monterey has no fixed-route public bus or rail service; the nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield.
Monterey property taxes
Monterey's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.22 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $722 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,815, on an average assessed value of $805,413.
Monterey's FY2026 tax rates
$7.22per $1,000, residential
- Residential$7.22 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$805,413
- Average single-family tax bill$5,815
- 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 | $7.28 |
| FY2023 | $6.09 |
| FY2024 | $6.13 |
| FY2025 | $6.44 |
| FY2026 | $7.22 |
Look up a Monterey property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Monterey
What we check on a Monterey purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, lake property.
Check the flood zone first
Lake Garfield and Lake Buel put shoreline parcels within FEMA-mapped flood zones in places. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for MontereySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Monterey Fire Department before the sale closes.
Most properties use private wells and septic systems
Monterey has no confirmed town-wide water or sewer system, so most properties rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on septic can be sold.
Confirm lake association rules on Garfield and Buel
Properties on Lake Garfield or Lake Buel may be subject to a lake association's rules or dues; buyers should confirm this with the seller 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 Monterey?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Monterey address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Monterey: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Monterey: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicNo town sewer system confirmed; properties rely on individual septic systems
- 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
Monterey Town Hall.
Monterey, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Monterey, MA?
Monterey's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.22 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 Monterey?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,888 a year at $7.22 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Monterey have a split tax rate?
No. Monterey uses a single rate of $7.22 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Monterey?
The average single-family tax bill in Monterey was $5,815 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $805,413.
What county is Monterey, MA in?
Monterey is in Berkshire County.
What ZIP code does Monterey use?
Monterey uses ZIP code 01245.
How far is Monterey from Pittsfield?
Monterey is about 21 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 35-40 minute drive.
Who supplies electricity in Monterey?
Eversource is the electric utility.
What lakes are in Monterey?
Monterey has two lakes, Lake Garfield and Lake Buel.
Is there public transit in Monterey?
No. Monterey has no fixed-route bus or rail service; the nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield.
Towns near Monterey
Neighbors of Monterey, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Monterey, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Bidwell House Museum: bidwellhousemuseum.org
- Lake Garfield photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.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.