Pittsfield at a glance
- Population: about 43,076 residents, ranking 29th of 54 Census places in Massachusetts (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 43,938 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Massachusetts places: 29th by size among 54 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 46% of Massachusetts's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 42.4518, -73.2607.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Troy, NY (29 mi); Albany, NY (31 mi); Chicopee, MA (40 mi); Schenectady, NY (42 mi); Springfield, MA (44 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: East Nassau, NY (14 mi); North Adams, MA (17 mi); Chatham, NY (18 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Pittsfield
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Massachusetts lending rules that apply in Pittsfield
Each row below is a Massachusetts rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 20% per annum criminal-usury threshold (M.G.L. c. 271, § 49); statutory exceptions apply Source says: "interest and expenses the aggregate of which exceeds an amount greater than twenty per centum per annum upon the sum loaned" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Restricted: DOB states payday lending is not prohibited, but a 'payday loan' is illegal due to the high APR Source says: "Payday lending is not prohibited in Massachusetts. Yet what is referred to as a 'payday loan' is illegal" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small-loan license required for loans of $6,000 or less when interest and expenses exceed 12% per year (M.G.L. c. 140, § 96) Source says: "No person shall directly or indirectly engage in the business of making loans of six thousand dollars or less ... without first obtaining ... a license" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Division of Banks (Office of the Commissioner of Banks) Source says: "The Division of Banks (DOB) cautions you when applying for a payday loan" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan rate order | Maximum 23% per annum plus a $20 administrative fee (209 CMR 26.00/26.01) Source says: "Regulation 209 CMR 26.00 et seq. limits the annual interest rate that can be charged on small loans to 23%" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Pittsfield
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Pittsfield:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Massachusetts using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.