Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
Massachusetts Property Taxes
The average Massachusetts homeowner pays $5,388 a year at an effective rate of 1.03%, 170% above the U.S. median. Compare 14 counties below.
- $5,388
- Avg median tax
- 1.03%
- Effective rate
- #17 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 14
- Counties
The verdict
The average Massachusetts homeowner pays $5,388 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 1.03%, the #17 highest burden of 51 U.S. states.
- $5,388
- Average median tax, 2024
- 1.03%
- Statewide effective rate
- #17 of 51
- U.S. states by tax burden
- 14
- counties measured
Effective rate is the median property tax bill divided by the median home value ($634,257). U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024.
The average median property tax in Massachusetts is $5,388/year, which is 170% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 1.03% on a median home value of $634,257. Taxes range from $3,974 in Nantucket County to $7,501 in Middlesex County.
What This Data Tells Us About Massachusetts
Across 14 counties in Massachusetts, the average median property tax is $5,388 per year, 170% above the national median of $1,993. The statewide effective rate of 1.03% on a median home value of $634,257 reflects how Massachusetts's assessment rules and local millage combine at the household level.
Within Massachusetts, median annual tax ranges from $3,974 in Nantucket County (effective rate 0.25%) to $7,501 in Middlesex County (effective rate 1.03%). Median home values in Massachusetts ($634,257) compared with $227,791 nationally help explain why the same effective rate produces different dollar bills in different states. Within-state variation often tracks local school levies, county bonds, and municipal overlays rather than a single statewide rate.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau, individual bills can differ based on assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Always confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making decisions that rely on these numbers.
State Average vs National Average
How Massachusetts compares
Average effective property tax rate vs the national average, ACS 2024.
Massachusetts has a higher effective property tax rate than 68% of U.S. states, ranking #17 of 51 for property tax burden.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
Based on the average effective tax rate of 1.03% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Massachusetts has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.
All Counties in Massachusetts (14)
| County (by tax bill) | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | $7,501 | 1.03% | $727,800 | 1,638,365 |
| Norfolk County | $7,261 | 1.06% | $683,900 | 730,082 |
| Plymouth County | $6,502 | 1.17% | $556,000 | 535,075 |
| Essex County | $6,430 | 1.04% | $619,100 | 813,054 |
| Dukes County | $5,828 | 0.50% | $1,165,800 | 20,933 |
| Hampshire County | $5,589 | 1.43% | $390,300 | 162,028 |
| Worcester County | $5,438 | 1.28% | $423,700 | 867,788 |
| Bristol County | $4,807 | 1.07% | $451,200 | 582,270 |
| Franklin County | $4,720 | 1.43% | $329,000 | 70,944 |
| Suffolk County | $4,649 | 0.66% | $705,800 | 785,121 |
| Hampden County | $4,455 | 1.49% | $298,800 | 462,815 |
| Barnstable County | $4,239 | 0.67% | $629,000 | 231,668 |
| Berkshire County | $4,036 | 1.32% | $305,400 | 129,430 |
| Nantucket County | $3,974 | 0.25% | $1,593,800 | 14,483 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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