Massachusetts property tax
Northeast region · 14 counties · Census ACS 2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)
Massachusetts has a population-weighted effective property-tax rate of 1.11% of home value (Census ACS 2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)) — +2.7% versus the US average of 1.08%, above the US average effective rate. The typical bill is about $5,837 on a median home worth around $552,175. Massachusetts ranks #18 of 51 states by property-tax rate (1 = highest). Within the state, Hampden County is highest at 1.57% and Nantucket County is lowest at 0.21%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-year estimates. Data as of June 2026.
Massachusetts property tax at a glance
| Figure | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Effective property-tax rate (pop-weighted) | 1.11% |
| Median-of-counties rate | 1.10% |
| Typical median bill | $5,837 |
| Typical median home value | $552,175 |
| Versus US average rate | +2.7% (US avg 1.08%) |
| State rank (1 = highest of 51) | #18 |
| Counties | 14 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-year estimates. Data as of June 2026.
Massachusetts counties ranked by property-tax rate
Counties in Massachusetts, highest effective rate first. Counties with their own page are linked.
| Rank | County | Median tax/yr | Median home value | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampden County | $4,332 | $276,300 | 1.57% |
| 2 | Franklin County | $4,595 | $303,400 | 1.51% |
| 3 | Hampshire County | $5,326 | $363,400 | 1.47% |
| 4 | Berkshire County | $3,891 | $283,800 | 1.37% |
| 5 | Worcester County | $5,207 | $390,700 | 1.33% |
| 6 | Plymouth County | $6,345 | $513,000 | 1.24% |
| 7 | Bristol County | $4,685 | $421,800 | 1.11% |
| 8 | Norfolk County | $7,081 | $649,400 | 1.09% |
| 9 | Essex County | $6,267 | $584,000 | 1.07% |
| 10 | Middlesex County | $7,240 | $687,200 | 1.05% |
| 11 | Barnstable County | $4,090 | $575,900 | 0.71% |
| 12 | Suffolk County | $4,533 | $680,700 | 0.67% |
| 13 | Dukes County | $5,503 | $1,104,100 | 0.50% |
| 14 | Nantucket County | $2,985 | $1,387,000 | 0.21% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-year estimates. Data as of June 2026.
How Massachusetts compares with other states
| State | Effective rate | Median bill | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (this state) | 1.11% | $5,837 | +2.7% |
| South Dakota | 1.12% | $2,575 | +3.5% |
| Alaska | 1.10% | $3,717 | +1.7% |
| Maine | 1.12% | $3,110 | +4.1% |
| Minnesota | 1.05% | $3,274 | -2.7% |
| Maryland | 1.04% | $4,155 | -4.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the property-tax rate in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's population-weighted effective property-tax rate is 1.11% of home value (Census ACS 2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)), +2.7% versus the US average of 1.08%. The typical bill works out to about $5,837 on a $552,175 home. It ranks #18 of 51 states (1 = highest).
Which Massachusetts county has the highest property tax?
In Massachusetts, Hampden County has the highest effective property-tax rate at 1.57% (median tax $4,332). The lowest is Nantucket County at 0.21%. Source: Census ACS 2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year).
Is property tax high in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is above average on property tax at a 1.11% effective rate, above the US average effective rate. The median Massachusetts home is worth about $552,175 and the median bill is around $5,837. Rates vary widely between its 14 counties.
How is the Massachusetts property-tax rate calculated?
It is a population-weighted average of each county's effective rate (median real estate taxes paid / median home value), using Census ACS 2023 5-year tables B25103 and B25077. A median-of-counties rate (1.10%) is also computed as a check. These are area medians, not statutory mill rates.
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Source & accuracy
State figures aggregate county-level Census ACS (2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)) data (median real estate taxes paid B25103, median home value B25077), population-weighted. US public domain. These are area medians, not statutory rates or your individual bill — your property tax depends on your assessed value, exemptions and local levy. Verify with your county assessor. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20