Boston, MA Property Tax Calculator
Estimate property tax for a home in Boston, MA. Homes in Boston are assessed by Suffolk County, where the effective property tax rate runs about 0.72% of market value — so a median-priced Boston home of $760,000 generates roughly $5,472 in annual property tax. Enter your specific home value below for a custom estimate.
Annual Tax
$5,472
0.72% of $760,000
Monthly Tax
$456
Typically escrowed with your mortgage
State Rank
#18 of 51
Highest rate = #1
vs. National Average
Highest property tax states
- New Jersey2.49%
- Illinois2.23%
- New Hampshire2.18%
- Connecticut2.15%
- Vermont1.90%
Lowest property tax states
- Hawaii0.32%
- Alabama0.41%
- Colorado0.55%
- Louisiana0.56%
- District of Columbia0.57%
These are state-level averages. Individual counties and cities can vary significantly — a home in Austin's urban core may have a far higher effective rate than the Texas state average, for example. For the most accurate estimate, get the exact millage rate from your county assessor and override the rate field above.
How to use it
A two-minute guide.
The Home Value field is pre-filled with Boston's median home value of $760,000. Override with your actual home's market value for a specific estimate — your tax bill scales linearly with home value.
The rate is pre-filled with Suffolk County's effective rate of 0.72% — the county-level average for owner-occupied homes, which is more precise than Massachusetts's statewide average of 1.23%. Individual school districts and special taxing zones within Boston still shift the exact figure — if you know the rate from your latest tax bill, override it for the most precise estimate.
You'll see your estimated annual property tax, the monthly amount (which is typically escrowed with your mortgage payment), and a comparison to other states.
How it works
The math behind the result.
How Boston's tax bill works out. Homes in Boston are assessed and billed through Suffolk County. The effective rate there averages about 0.72% of market value — below Massachusetts's statewide average of 1.23%. On Boston's median home value of $760,000, that's approximately $5,472/year, or $456/month when escrowed with your mortgage.
How assessment works in Massachusetts. Cities and towns assess annually at full market value, certified by the state. Proposition 2½ limits how much each municipality's total levy can grow each year.
Exemptions worth claiming. Boston and several other cities offer a residential exemption that removes a third or more of the average home's value for owner-occupants — worth thousands per year; seniors and veterans have additional exemptions. Exemptions are the most common reason two identical Boston homes pay different tax bills — make sure yours are on file with Suffolk County.
What property tax actually pays for. In Boston — like the rest of Massachusetts — property tax funds local schools, public safety (police, fire), road maintenance, parks, libraries, and county government. Most of your bill stays in your county and school district.
Comparing to other states. Effective rates vary enormously across the US — from about 0.3% in Hawaii to nearly 2.5% in New Jersey. Boston's 0.72% puts it in the lower third nationally.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Buying in Boston? Estimate your full mortgage payment with our Boston Mortgage Calculator. Or see how Massachusetts property tax rates compare across the state with our Massachusetts Property Tax Calculator.
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