Suffolk County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Suffolk is 1.07%, which is higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Massachusetts state median of 1.23%. With the median home value in Suffolk at $641,300, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $6,836, far exceeding the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Suffolk are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which typically falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Suffolk's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Boston or another part of Suffolk, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Suffolk County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.23%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,460
Ownwell’s Suffolk County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Suffolk County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Suffolk County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Property taxes in Suffolk County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Suffolk County is 1.07%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Suffolk County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Suffolk County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Suffolk County's effective property tax rate with other areas and the national median. For comparison, the city of Chelsea has one of the higher property tax rates in the region at 1.24%, while the city of Revere boasts one of the lowest at 0.95%. Analyzing how Suffolk County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Suffolk County Tax Rate
1.07%
Average Massachusetts Tax Rate
1.23%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allston | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Boston | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Brighton | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Brookline | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Charlestown | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Chelsea | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.24% |
| Chestnut Hill | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Dedham | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Dorchester | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Dorchester Center | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| East Boston | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Everett | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.24% |
| Hyde Park | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Jamaica Plain | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Mattapan | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Milton | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Newton | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Revere | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% |
| Roslindale | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Roxbury | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Roxbury Crossing | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| South Boston | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| West Roxbury | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| Winthrop | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
In Suffolk County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Suffolk County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Suffolk County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Suffolk County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. Brookline has the highest median tax bill at $13,377, while Everett has the lowest at $1,047.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$84,600
$1,690,350
$3,296,100
Average Suffolk County Assessed Value
$641,300
Average Massachusetts Assessed Value
$492,600
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allston | $331,870 | $387,875 | $531,900 | $916,925 | $1,278,930 |
| Boston | $435,600 | $580,900 | $823,500 | $1,434,800 | $2,624,820 |
| Brighton | $332,000 | $379,900 | $502,100 | $889,800 | $1,142,820 |
| Brookline | $542,700 | $873,425 | $1,245,550 | $1,615,200 | $1,907,050 |
| Charlestown | $478,770 | $586,800 | $803,600 | $1,109,050 | $1,502,430 |
| Chelsea | $280,860 | $369,825 | $489,650 | $640,425 | $767,050 |
| Chestnut Hill | $296,300 | $331,100 | $408,200 | $900,850 | $1,514,380 |
| Dedham | $618,600 | $621,300 | $625,800 | $649,950 | $664,440 |
| Dorchester | $368,810 | $481,100 | $641,100 | $825,450 | $1,026,600 |
| Dorchester Center | $364,650 | $489,500 | $647,050 | $791,125 | $924,460 |
| East Boston | $396,360 | $498,100 | $649,400 | $839,650 | $1,016,480 |
| Everett | $84,600 | $84,600 | $84,600 | $84,600 | $84,600 |
| Hyde Park | $352,830 | $431,375 | $505,050 | $608,125 | $716,770 |
| Jamaica Plain | $422,030 | $515,800 | $705,300 | $1,047,850 | $1,356,900 |
| Mattapan | $368,210 | $426,350 | $540,300 | $650,450 | $777,730 |
| Milton | $447,200 | $447,200 | $447,200 | $447,200 | $447,200 |
| Newton | $629,500 | $629,500 | $629,500 | $629,500 | $629,500 |
| Revere | $330,330 | $443,600 | $547,150 | $667,500 | $785,510 |
| Roslindale | $390,500 | $491,800 | $618,900 | $745,600 | $876,570 |
| Roxbury | $323,800 | $413,200 | $561,900 | $733,400 | $890,720 |
| Roxbury Crossing | $348,000 | $451,175 | $784,150 | $1,612,150 | $2,024,650 |
| South Boston | $475,580 | $591,600 | $768,300 | $1,014,350 | $1,345,640 |
| West Roxbury | $383,040 | $531,950 | $644,000 | $790,350 | $951,020 |
| Winthrop | $292,900 | $468,875 | $592,800 | $715,625 | $834,810 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
In Suffolk County, MA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home and the local property tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the county assessor and reflects the market value of the property. Once the assessed value is established, it is multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual tax bill. For instance, Suffolk County has a diverse range of tax bills, with the 25th percentile tax bill at $5,110, the 75th percentile at $9,318, and the 90th percentile reaching $13,426. Several factors influence the assessed value, including the property's location, size, and condition, as well as the current real estate market trends. Homeowners in Suffolk County experience varying tax burdens. For example, Brookline has the highest median tax bill at $13,377, while Everett has the lowest at $1,047. These property tax bills significantly impact homeowners' annual expenses, making it crucial to understand how assessments and rates affect their financial planning.
Average Suffolk County Tax Bill
$6,836
Average Massachusetts Tax Bill
$5,844
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allston | $3,565 | $4,166 | $5,713 | $9,848 | $13,735 |
| Boston | $4,678 | $6,239 | $8,844 | $15,410 | $28,190 |
| Brighton | $3,566 | $4,080 | $5,393 | $9,556 | $12,274 |
| Brookline | $5,828 | $9,380 | $13,377 | $17,347 | $20,482 |
| Charlestown | $5,142 | $6,302 | $8,631 | $11,912 | $16,136 |
| Chelsea | $3,477 | $4,578 | $6,062 | $7,928 | $9,496 |
| Chestnut Hill | $3,182 | $3,556 | $4,384 | $9,676 | $16,264 |
| Dedham | $6,643 | $6,672 | $6,721 | $6,980 | $7,136 |
| Dorchester | $3,961 | $5,167 | $6,885 | $8,866 | $11,026 |
| Dorchester Center | $3,917 | $5,257 | $6,950 | $8,496 | $9,929 |
| East Boston | $4,257 | $5,350 | $6,975 | $9,018 | $10,917 |
| Everett | $1,047 | $1,047 | $1,047 | $1,047 | $1,047 |
| Hyde Park | $3,789 | $4,633 | $5,424 | $6,531 | $7,698 |
| Jamaica Plain | $4,532 | $5,540 | $7,575 | $11,254 | $14,573 |
| Mattapan | $3,955 | $4,579 | $5,803 | $6,986 | $8,353 |
| Milton | $4,803 | $4,803 | $4,803 | $4,803 | $4,803 |
| Newton | $6,761 | $6,761 | $6,761 | $6,761 | $6,761 |
| Revere | $3,141 | $4,219 | $5,204 | $6,348 | $7,470 |
| Roslindale | $4,194 | $5,282 | $6,647 | $8,008 | $9,415 |
| Roxbury | $3,478 | $4,438 | $6,035 | $7,877 | $9,566 |
| Roxbury Crossing | $3,738 | $4,846 | $8,422 | $17,315 | $21,744 |
| South Boston | $5,108 | $6,354 | $8,252 | $10,894 | $14,452 |
| West Roxbury | $4,113 | $5,714 | $6,917 | $8,488 | $10,214 |
| Winthrop | $3,134 | $5,017 | $6,343 | $7,657 | $8,932 |
Source: Ownwell