First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Plainfield, Massachusetts
Plainfield is a hill town in northwestern Hampshire County, at 1,620 feet elevation, with West Mountain reaching 2,125 feet, the highest elevation in the county. First settled in 1770 by migrants from Bridgewater, it was incorporated as a district within Cummington in 1785 and became an independent town on June 15, 1807, making it the youngest town in Hampshire County. Its waterways form the headwaters of both the Westfield and Deerfield rivers.
Plainfield at a glance
- $17.56Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,801Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 40-50 minDrive to Pittsfield
- HampshireCounty
Plainfield's zip code
Plainfield uses ZIP code 01070.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Plainfield center | 01070 | Where the Town Offices at 304 Main Street are located. |
Things to do in Plainfield, MA
Start with Deer Hill State Reservation and Shaw Hudson House, then 1 more below.
Deer Hill State Reservation
A state-owned conservation area in town, noted as a local point of interest for hiking.
Plainfield, MA
Shaw Hudson House
A museum and historical home maintained by the Plainfield Historical Society.
Plainfield, MA
Plainfield Pond
A pond in town used for fishing and other water recreation.
Plainfield, MA
A little history
Plainfield was first settled in 1770 by migrants from Bridgewater, incorporated as a district within Cummington in 1785, and became an independent town on June 15, 1807, the youngest town in Hampshire County.
The town's waterways form the headwaters of both the Westfield River and the Deerfield River.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Plainfield
West Mountain, the highest point in Hampshire County, and the headwaters of the Westfield and Deerfield rivers give Plainfield its hilltop and stream landscape.
- Deer Hill State ReservationA conservation area with trails in the hills of Plainfield.
- Plainfield PondA town pond used for fishing.
- West MountainAt 2,125 feet, the highest elevation in Hampshire County.
Walkability and getting around Plainfield
Plainfield's small center along Main Street has the Town Offices, church and historical society building, but the rest of the hill town is rural and built for driving.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 25 miles40-50 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 55 miles70-80 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Plainfield has no fixed-route PVTA bus service and no passenger rail station. Pittsfield, the nearest city, is about 25 miles west.
Plainfield property taxes
Plainfield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.56 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,756 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,801, on an average assessed value of $273,410.
Plainfield's FY2026 tax rates
$17.56per $1,000, residential
- Residential$17.56 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$273,410
- Average single-family tax bill$4,801
- 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 | $19.95 |
| FY2023 | $20.72 |
| FY2024 | $21.42 |
| FY2025 | $18.48 |
| FY2026 | $17.56 |
Look up a Plainfield property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-634-5420
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Plainfield
What we check on a Plainfield purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, smoke certificate.
Check the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for PlainfieldSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Plainfield Fire Department before the sale closes.
Most homes use private wells and septic
Plainfield has no townwide public water or sewer system found; homes typically rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales.
Smoke and CO certificate needed before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close.
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 Plainfield?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Plainfield address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Plainfield: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Plainfield.
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterMostly private wells; no townwide public water system found
- Sewer or septicMost of the town relies on private septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingPlainfield residents use the town Transfer Station and Recycling Center for trash and recycling disposal.
- 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 Offices offices and contacts
Plainfield Town Offices is at 304 Main Street, Plainfield, MA 01070. Main line: 413-634-5420.
- Town OfficesMain line and website413-634-5420
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and town records.413-634-5420
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.413-634-5420
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-634-5420
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.413-634-5420
- Fire-EMSFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.413-634-5420
- Highway DepartmentRoads and the town transfer station.413-634-5420
- LibraryThe town's public library.413-634-5420
Plainfield, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Plainfield, MA?
Plainfield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.56 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 Plainfield?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $7,024 a year at $17.56 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Plainfield have a split tax rate?
No. Plainfield uses a single rate of $17.56 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Plainfield?
The average single-family tax bill in Plainfield was $4,801 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $273,410.
Is trash pickup curbside in Plainfield?
Plainfield residents bring trash and recycling to the town's Transfer Station and Recycling Center rather than curbside pickup.
Who supplies electricity in Plainfield?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Plainfield.
What ZIP code does Plainfield use?
Plainfield uses ZIP code 01070.
How far is Plainfield from Pittsfield?
Plainfield is about 25 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 40-50 minute drive.
Which towns border Plainfield?
Plainfield borders Cummington and Ashfield in Hampshire and Franklin counties, and Hawley, Savoy and Windsor, all in Massachusetts.
Is Plainfield the youngest town in Hampshire County?
Yes. Plainfield became an independent town on June 15, 1807, after previously being a district within Cummington, making it the youngest town in the county.
Towns near Plainfield
Neighbors of Plainfield, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Plainfield, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Plainfield, MA - official website: plainfield-ma.us
- Plainfield Congregational Church 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.