Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Waltham, Massachusetts
Median Waltham, Massachusetts effective property tax rate: 0.98%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Massachusetts state median of 1.15%.
Median Waltham, Massachusetts home value: $714,400
Median annual Waltham, Massachusetts tax bill: $7,014, $4,614 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Middlesex calculated?
Property taxes in Waltham, 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 Waltham's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Waltham, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.98%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$7,001
$6,497
How Does the Waltham Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Waltham property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Waltham's median effective tax rate of 0.98% — based on actual property records in Middlesex County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment process uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Waltham'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 Waltham: rates range from $6,741 in 02451 to $7,181 in 02452, 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 Waltham.
About Waltham Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Waltham, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Waltham's median effective property tax rate of 0.98% is lower than the Massachusetts state median of 1.15% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Middlesex 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 Waltham. Homeowners in the 02451 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.98%, while those in 02452 pay 0.98%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Middlesex County. Understanding which part of Waltham you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Waltham homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local 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 Waltham, Middlesex 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 Waltham'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 ÷ 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 Waltham Tax Rate
0.98%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ 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 Middlesex County Tax Rate
1.14%
Median Effective Massachusetts Tax Rate
1.15%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02451 | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% |
| 02452 | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% |
| 02453 | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% | 0.98% |
| 02454 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
When examining property taxes in Waltham, 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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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 Waltham.
For example, the median home price in Waltham is $714,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 02452 has the highest median home price at $731,300.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$378,900
$1,063,575
$1,748,250
Median Waltham Market Value
$714,400
Median Middlesex County Market Value
$710,700
Median Massachusetts Market Value
$561,600
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02451 | $505,970 | $581,350 | $686,550 | $817,425 | $980,920 |
| 02452 | $379,200 | $630,700 | $731,300 | $862,100 | $1,105,140 |
| 02453 | $452,430 | $620,875 | $723,050 | $844,500 | $970,090 |
| 02454 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Property tax bills in Waltham are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the city and county. For homeowners, the bill is calculated by multiplying the assessed market value by the property tax rate, which means higher-valued homes usually face larger bills. With a median home price of $714,400, taxes can add up quickly compared with the $2,400 national median property tax bill.
In Waltham, the property tax burden is substantial, with the 25th percentile bill at $5,965, the median median tax bill near $7,181 in ZIP code 02452, and the 75th percentile reaching $8,260. The lowest median tax bill is $6,741 in ZIP code 02451, while the 90th percentile climbs to $9,810. These bills directly affect monthly housing costs and can make homeownership more expensive, especially when assessed values rise faster than expected.
Property Tax Bills Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$4,708
$12,022
$19,336
Median Waltham Tax Bill
$7,014
Median Middlesex County Tax Bill
$7,377
Median Massachusetts Tax Bill
$6,068
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02451 | $4,966 | $5,706 | $6,741 | $8,026 | $9,632 |
| 02452 | $3,724 | $6,193 | $7,181 | $8,471 | $10,852 |
| 02453 | $4,440 | $6,094 | $7,100 | $8,299 | $9,530 |
| 02454 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | February 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Middlesex Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.masslandrecords.com |