Property Taxes in Massachusetts

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Massachusetts
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Massachusetts property tax rate: 1.23%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Massachusetts home value: $492,600
Median annual Massachusetts tax bill: $5,844, $3,444 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Massachusetts calculated?

Property taxes in Massachusetts are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you are in Massachusetts, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Massachusetts Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.23%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$6,059

$5,623

Ownwell’s Massachusetts Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Massachusetts with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Massachusetts's median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing homeownership costs in Massachusetts. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore county and city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Massachusetts

Local government entities in Massachusetts set tax rates, which can vary widely within the state. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare a Massachusetts county’s effective property tax rate to other counties in Massachusetts or the U.S. median property tax rate. For instance, Hampden County has the highest effective property tax rate in Massachusetts, at 1.70%, while Dukes County has the lowest, at 0.53%.

Property Tax Rates Across Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

0.32%

1.01%

1.70%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Massachusetts Tax Rate

1.23%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Massachusetts

County	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Barnstable	0.47%	0.60%	0.70%	0.83%	0.96%
Berkshire	0.81%	1.08%	1.62%	1.83%	1.83%
Bristol	0.92%	1.20%	1.27%	1.31%	1.43%
Dukes	0.25%	0.25%	0.53%	0.53%	0.73%
Essex	0.95%	1.05%	1.12%	1.22%	1.37%
Franklin	1.36%	1.52%	1.69%	1.96%	1.97%
Hampden	1.52%	1.58%	1.70%	1.85%	1.95%
Hampshire	1.43%	1.49%	1.63%	1.76%	2.01%
Middlesex	0.87%	1.03%	1.22%	1.36%	1.54%
Nantucket	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%
Norfolk	1.00%	1.05%	1.18%	1.35%	1.54%
Plymouth	1.04%	1.19%	1.30%	1.37%	1.46%
Suffolk	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Worcester	1.28%	1.33%	1.43%	1.55%	1.60%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Massachusetts

Understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial when examining property taxes in Massachusetts. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market. Location, property condition, and economic market trends often influence it. Each Massachusetts county assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Assessment notices: In Massachusetts, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the end of March. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Massachusetts. For example, Nantucket has the highest median home price at $1,707,200.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

$245,200

$976,200

$1,707,200

Median Massachusetts Market Value

$492,600

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Massachusetts

County	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Barnstable	$329,770	$421,400	$556,400	$813,375	$1,285,830
Berkshire	$134,200	$181,800	$256,200	$395,100	$613,060
Bristol	$259,200	$312,200	$384,800	$492,300	$631,800
Dukes	$679,800	$848,525	$1,154,150	$1,765,375	$2,999,950
Essex	$328,520	$428,500	$545,500	$708,984	$935,000
Franklin	$155,200	$199,900	$252,600	$329,900	$427,040
Hampden	$164,500	$202,200	$245,200	$311,200	$412,300
Hampshire	$190,400	$240,325	$310,200	$407,500	$533,250
Middlesex	$346,800	$473,000	$633,600	$870,100	$1,254,800
Nantucket	$845,900	$1,179,800	$1,707,200	$2,794,000	$4,272,880
Norfolk	$360,600	$454,200	$592,100	$805,800	$1,202,000
Plymouth	$310,100	$376,700	$476,400	$635,600	$874,454
Suffolk	$371,400	$481,300	$641,300	$868,000	$1,249,600
Worcester	$227,900	$285,000	$360,000	$473,500	$615,800

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Massachusetts

Property tax bills in Massachusetts are calculated based on the assessed value of a property and the local tax rate. The assessed value is determined by local assessors and reflects the market value of the home. Homeowners in Massachusetts face a median property tax bill significantly higher than the national median of $2,400, with bills ranging from $4,267 at the 25th percentile to $11,658 at the 90th percentile. Middlesex County has the highest median tax bill at $7,427, while Berkshire County has the lowest at $3,693. These property taxes can significantly impact homeowners, affecting their monthly expenses and overall cost of living in the state.

Property Tax Bills Across Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

$3,693

$5,560

$7,427

Median Massachusetts Tax Bill

$5,844

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Massachusetts

County	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Barnstable	$2,207	$3,020	$4,094	$5,835	$8,777
Berkshire	$1,898	$2,747	$3,693	$5,101	$7,492
Bristol	$3,100	$3,801	$4,707	$6,048	$7,868
Dukes	$2,268	$3,587	$5,248	$7,660	$12,617
Essex	$3,647	$4,768	$6,145	$8,234	$11,248
Franklin	$2,476	$3,376	$4,270	$5,465	$6,965
Hampden	$2,760	$3,380	$4,101	$5,336	$7,386
Hampshire	$3,096	$3,869	$5,000	$6,780	$9,061
Middlesex	$4,023	$5,528	$7,427	$10,447	$14,649
Nantucket	$2,713	$3,787	$5,477	$8,966	$13,719
Norfolk	$4,304	$5,438	$7,156	$10,077	$14,874
Plymouth	$3,985	$4,927	$6,149	$7,909	$10,297
Suffolk	$3,970	$5,110	$6,836	$9,318	$13,426
Worcester	$3,164	$4,052	$5,153	$6,780	$8,969

Source: Ownwell

Find your County

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