Boston, Massachusetts Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Boston, MA is 1.07%, considerably higher than the national median of 0.99% but lower than the Massachusetts state median of 1.23%. With the median home value in Boston at $823,500, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $8,844, significantly exceeding the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Boston are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which typically falls below the market value due to various exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Boston's property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for reductions can lead to significant annual savings. Whether you're in the heart of Boston or another part of the city, understanding the local property tax system will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts 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 Boston Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Boston with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, the calculator applies the median tax rate in Boston to estimate your property tax bill. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’re interested in seeing trends on a neighborhood level, scroll down to find more localized information. Your property’s assessed value is the value assigned by the county for property tax calculations, accounting for any exemptions that may apply.
Property Tax Rates Across Boston, Massachusetts
Property taxes in Boston, Massachusetts, are crucial for funding essential local services such as public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Boston is 1.07%, higher than both the Massachusetts state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Boston set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly across different neighborhoods. Each year, Boston estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year, then divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property within the jurisdiction to calculate the property tax rate. While tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basis of setting property tax rates. The data below compares Boston's effective property tax rate to other counties in Massachusetts and the national median. For comparison, the 02119 zip code has the highest median property tax rate of 1.07%, while the 02129 zip code has the lowest median tax rate of 0.95%. Understanding how these cities compare with Boston provides valuable insights into the varying tax landscape across Suffolk County, helping homeowners gain a clearer picture of their property tax obligations relative to neighboring areas.
Average Boston Tax Rate
1.07%
Average Suffolk County Tax Rate
1.07%
Average Massachusetts Tax Rate
1.23%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Boston, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02109 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02110 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02111 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02113 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02114 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02115 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02116 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02118 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02119 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02124 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02125 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02127 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02128 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02129 | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% |
| 02132 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02135 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02199 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02210 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
| 02215 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Boston, Massachusetts
In Boston, Massachusetts, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial for comprehending property taxes. The market value is the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open and competitive market, influenced by factors like location, property condition, and economic trends. This value is estimated by the Suffolk County Appraisal District for tax purposes. In contrast, the assessed value 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. In Boston, assessment notices are typically mailed out in the spring, usually by mid-April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By understanding the distinction between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and comprehend how their property taxes are determined. For instance, the highest median tax bill in Boston is $35,400 in the 02199 zip code, while the lowest median tax bill is $3,591 in the 02129 zip code. Being aware of these valuation processes helps identify opportunities for protesting assessments or applying for exemptions to effectively manage the tax burden.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Boston, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$84,600
$1,690,350
$3,296,100
Average Boston Assessed Value
$823,500
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 Boston, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | $533,050 | $729,425 | $1,336,500 | $2,978,500 | $5,513,200 |
| 02109 | $479,400 | $592,800 | $770,300 | $1,283,250 | $2,354,100 |
| 02110 | $636,040 | $753,300 | $1,077,000 | $1,724,800 | $2,763,960 |
| 02111 | $521,250 | $630,900 | $834,700 | $1,237,225 | $1,895,210 |
| 02113 | $347,120 | $427,250 | $537,800 | $761,900 | $1,183,980 |
| 02114 | $409,400 | $505,900 | $664,000 | $971,350 | $2,050,380 |
| 02115 | $402,550 | $522,150 | $711,600 | $1,154,150 | $2,371,300 |
| 02116 | $533,380 | $691,000 | $1,062,000 | $1,937,200 | $3,121,820 |
| 02118 | $488,100 | $646,350 | $855,450 | $1,374,450 | $2,262,150 |
| 02119 | $671,100 | $671,100 | $671,100 | $671,100 | $671,100 |
| 02124 | $755,800 | $755,800 | $755,800 | $755,800 | $755,800 |
| 02125 | $916,160 | $1,728,350 | $3,082,000 | $4,435,650 | $5,247,840 |
| 02127 | $947,000 | $947,000 | $947,000 | $947,000 | $947,000 |
| 02128 | $451,300 | $487,650 | $499,150 | $536,150 | $765,300 |
| 02129 | $377,600 | $377,600 | $377,600 | $377,600 | $377,600 |
| 02132 | $1,213,600 | $1,213,600 | $1,213,600 | $1,213,600 | $1,213,600 |
| 02135 | $1,007,900 | $1,007,900 | $1,027,150 | $1,166,200 | $1,381,840 |
| 02199 | $1,372,180 | $2,260,450 | $3,296,100 | $4,590,400 | $8,342,620 |
| 02210 | $565,700 | $803,650 | $1,211,600 | $2,003,850 | $3,289,100 |
| 02215 | $346,860 | $416,200 | $524,900 | $770,500 | $1,077,040 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Boston, Massachusetts
In Boston, Suffolk County, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home. The local tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. Factors influencing the assessed value include the property's market value, location, and any improvements made. For instance, a median home price in Boston is around $823,500. Homeowners in the 25th percentile can expect an annual tax bill of approximately $6,239, while those in the 75th percentile might pay around $15,410. The 90th percentile sees tax bills as high as $28,190. The highest median tax bill in the area is $35,400, found in the 02199 zip code, whereas the lowest median tax bill is $3,591 in the 02129 zip code. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Boston's tax bills can be significantly higher, impacting homeowners by increasing their annual financial obligations based on property value and location.
Average Boston Tax Bill
$8,844
Average Suffolk County Tax Bill
$6,836
Average Massachusetts Tax Bill
$5,844
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Boston, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | $5,725 | $7,834 | $14,354 | $31,989 | $59,212 |
| 02109 | $5,148 | $6,366 | $8,273 | $13,782 | $25,283 |
| 02110 | $6,831 | $8,090 | $11,567 | $18,524 | $29,685 |
| 02111 | $5,598 | $6,776 | $8,965 | $13,288 | $20,354 |
| 02113 | $3,728 | $4,588 | $5,776 | $8,183 | $12,716 |
| 02114 | $4,397 | $5,433 | $7,131 | $10,432 | $22,021 |
| 02115 | $4,324 | $5,608 | $7,643 | $12,396 | $25,468 |
| 02116 | $5,729 | $7,421 | $11,406 | $20,806 | $33,528 |
| 02118 | $5,242 | $6,942 | $9,188 | $14,762 | $24,296 |
| 02119 | $7,208 | $7,208 | $7,208 | $7,208 | $7,208 |
| 02124 | $8,117 | $8,117 | $8,117 | $8,117 | $8,117 |
| 02125 | $9,839 | $18,562 | $33,100 | $47,639 | $56,362 |
| 02127 | $10,171 | $10,171 | $10,171 | $10,171 | $10,171 |
| 02128 | $4,847 | $5,237 | $5,361 | $5,758 | $8,220 |
| 02129 | $3,591 | $3,591 | $3,591 | $3,591 | $3,591 |
| 02132 | $13,034 | $13,034 | $13,034 | $13,034 | $13,034 |
| 02135 | $10,825 | $10,825 | $11,032 | $12,525 | $14,841 |
| 02199 | $14,737 | $24,278 | $35,400 | $49,301 | $89,600 |
| 02210 | $6,076 | $8,632 | $13,013 | $21,522 | $35,325 |
| 02215 | $3,726 | $4,470 | $5,637 | $8,275 | $11,567 |
Source: Ownwell