Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Rockport, Massachusetts
Median Rockport, Massachusetts effective property tax rate: 0.88%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Massachusetts state median of 1.15%.
Median Rockport, Massachusetts home value: $744,200
Median annual Rockport, Massachusetts tax bill: $6,519, $4,119 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Essex calculated?
Property taxes in Rockport, 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 Rockport's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Rockport, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.88%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$6,549
$6,077
How Does the Rockport Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Rockport property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Rockport's median effective tax rate of 0.88% — based on actual property records in Essex County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Rockport's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Rockport: rates range from 0.88% in 01966 to 0.88% in 01966, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Rockport.
About Rockport Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Rockport, Essex, Massachusetts
Rockport’s median effective property tax rate of 0.88% is lower than the Massachusetts state median of 1.15% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Essex County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Rockport. Homeowners in the 01966 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.88%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 0.88%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Essex County. Understanding which part of Rockport you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Rockport homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the February 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because 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 Rockport's effective property tax rate to other cities in Massachusetts and the median property tax rates in Massachusetts and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Rockport Tax Rate
0.88%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Essex County Tax Rate
1.07%
Median Effective Massachusetts Tax Rate
1.15%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01966 | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
When examining property taxes in Rockport, Massachusetts, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Essex County appraisal district 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 Essex County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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 Rockport.
For example, the median home price in Rockport is $744,200, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 01966 has the highest median home price at $744,200.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$317,300
$693,825
$1,070,350
Median Rockport Market Value
$744,200
Median Essex County Market Value
$622,800
Median Massachusetts Market Value
$561,600
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01966 | $446,900 | $598,900 | $744,200 | $955,200 | $1,451,080 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
Property tax bills in Rockport are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on its market value. For homeowners, that means the bill is driven mainly by how much the property is worth, rather than what was originally paid for it. In Rockport, where the median home price is $744,200, even small changes in assessed value can have a noticeable impact on the final tax bill.
Several factors can affect what a homeowner pays, including the property’s assessed value, local tax rates, and any exemptions that may apply. The typical tax bill in Rockport is $6,519, which is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects the higher home values in the area.
For many homeowners, this means property taxes are a major part of annual housing costs. Bills in the city can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $5,246 and the 90th percentile at $12,712.
Median Rockport Tax Bill
$6,519
Median Essex County Tax Bill
$6,608
Median Massachusetts Tax Bill
$6,068
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01966 | $3,915 | $5,246 | $6,519 | $8,368 | $12,712 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | February 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Essex Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.mass.gov |