Shirley, MA Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Amazon Prime Day 2026

Exclusive Deals for Your New Home

🛒 Shop Prime Day Deals Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Shirley, MA Utility & Living Guide

Living in Shirley, MA offers a charming small-town experience with easy access to outdoor recreation and a strong sense of community.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$290/mo
1BR Rent$1100/mo
Sales Tax6.25%
COL Index108 (+8% above national average)
Family Score7/10
Median Home$340,000
🌤️ Live Weather — Shirley
Loading weather...
📷 Live Cameras — Shirley
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Shirley
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Shirley?

Moving to Shirley? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$140/mo

Eversource Energy
🔥 Gas

N/A - Electric only
💧 Water

$50/mo

Shirley Water Department
🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Waste Management
📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead $290/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1100/mo
2 Bedrooms$1400/mo
3 Bedrooms$1900/mo
Median Home Price$340,000
Property Tax Rate1.23%
Avg Childcare/mo$1200

The housing market in Shirley is relatively stable, with a mix of older and newer homes available. Prices have been rising steadily over the past few years, but remain relatively affordable compared to other parts of the state. Rentals are also available, but may be limited in terms of inventory.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

108

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+8% above national average

Groceries

105

Transportation

92

Healthcare

102

Childcare/mo

$1200

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax6.25%
Property Tax Rate1.23%
<p>State 5.2% + No County tax + Local 1.05% option tax</p>

Massachusetts has a flat state income tax rate of 5.2%, with no local income tax.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
7/10
Safety Index

60

Higher = safer
School Rating

7.2/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1200/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Purple description, with a mix of liberal and conservative views represented in the community.
Business Momentum
Moderate, with key industries including healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
Top Local Concerns
Traffic, affordable housing, public safety
🚌 Transit for Families

Shirley has a limited public transit system, but the town is relatively walkable and bikeable, with some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Shirley Public Library
  • 🎯
    Lake Shirley
  • 🎯
    Devens Recreation Area

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods are popular with families, offering a mix of older and newer homes, as well as access to local parks and amenities. The area around Lake Shirley is also desirable, with its scenic views and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Shirley based on your household profile.

Local Briefing & Neighborhood Pulse

Live Local News

Shirley has regulations in place regarding zoning, parking, and waste management, among other things.

Shirley is seeing growth in its local economy, driven in part by its proximity to major employers in the tech and biotech industries. However, this growth is also putting pressure on the local housing market, with prices rising as a result.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Shirley — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Shirley tend to be higher in the winter months, due to the need for heating, with average bills increasing by 20-30% from December to February. In the summer, costs are lower, but may still be higher than in other parts of the country due to the need for air conditioning.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The ZIP code 01464 has a property tax millage rate of 18.45, with no local surtaxes.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

Score 6/10: Shirley has some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks, but the town's infrastructure is not always well-suited for families with young children, with some areas lacking elevators or other accessibility features.

🏠 Planning Your Move?

Shop moving supplies, storage solutions and home essentials

🛒 Shop on Amazon — Prime Day Deals

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.