Suffolk County, Massachusetts Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Suffolk County effective property tax rate: 1.07%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Suffolk County home value: $641,300
Median annual Suffolk County tax bill: $6,836, which is $4,436 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Suffolk County calculated?

Property taxes in Suffolk County 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 your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Boston or another part of Suffolk County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Suffolk County, Massachusetts Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.07%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$6,862

$6,368

Ownwell’s Suffolk County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Suffolk County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Suffolk County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Suffolk County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Local government entities determine tax rates, which can vary significantly within Massachusetts. Each year, Suffolk County estimates its required budget for services and divides this by the total value of all taxable property within its borders. This calculation results in the property tax rate. Although votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process. Suffolk County's effective property tax rate is slightly above the national median of 1.02%, reflecting the county's budgetary needs and property values. Within Suffolk County, Chelsea has the highest median property tax rate, while Revere boasts the lowest. When comparing these rates to the national median property tax bill of $2400, Suffolk County's rates highlight the variation in property taxation within Massachusetts and across the United States. Understanding these differences can provide valuable insights for property owners considering tax appeals or exemptions.

Property Tax Rates Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

0.95%

1.09%

1.24%

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 Suffolk County Tax Rate

1.07%

Median Effective Massachusetts Tax Rate

1.23%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Allston	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Boston	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Brighton	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Charlestown	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Chelsea	1.24%	1.24%	1.24%	1.24%	1.24%
Chestnut Hill	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Dorchester	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Dorchester Center	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
East Boston	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Hyde Park	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Jamaica Plain	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Mattapan	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Revere	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%
Roslindale	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Roxbury	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Roxbury Crossing	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
South Boston	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
West Roxbury	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Winthrop	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
Brookline	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dedham	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Everett	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Milton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

When examining property taxes in Suffolk County, 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 Suffolk County Assessor 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 Suffolk County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. 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 Suffolk County. For example, the median tax bill in Suffolk County is $5,110, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Boston has the highest median home price at $823,500.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

$408,200

$1,852,150

$3,296,100

Median Suffolk County Market Value

$641,300

Median Massachusetts Market Value

$492,600

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Allston	$331,870	$387,875	$531,900	$916,925	$1,278,930
Boston	$435,600	$580,900	$823,500	$1,434,800	$2,624,820
Brighton	$332,000	$379,900	$502,100	$889,800	$1,142,820
Charlestown	$478,770	$586,800	$803,600	$1,109,050	$1,502,430
Chelsea	$280,860	$369,825	$489,650	$640,425	$767,050
Chestnut Hill	$296,300	$331,100	$408,200	$900,850	$1,514,380
Dorchester	$368,810	$481,100	$641,100	$825,450	$1,026,600
Dorchester Center	$364,650	$489,500	$647,050	$791,125	$924,460
East Boston	$396,360	$498,100	$649,400	$839,650	$1,016,480
Hyde Park	$352,830	$431,375	$505,050	$608,125	$716,770
Jamaica Plain	$422,030	$515,800	$705,300	$1,047,850	$1,356,900
Mattapan	$368,210	$426,350	$540,300	$650,450	$777,730
Revere	$330,330	$443,600	$547,150	$667,500	$785,510
Roslindale	$390,500	$491,800	$618,900	$745,600	$876,570
Roxbury	$323,800	$413,200	$561,900	$733,400	$890,720
Roxbury Crossing	$348,000	$451,175	$784,150	$1,612,150	$2,024,650
South Boston	$475,580	$591,600	$768,300	$1,014,350	$1,345,640
West Roxbury	$383,040	$531,950	$644,000	$790,350	$951,020
Winthrop	$292,900	$468,875	$592,800	$715,625	$834,810
Brookline	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dedham	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Everett	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Milton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Property tax bills in Suffolk County, MA, are calculated based on the assessed value of a property and the local tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the local assessor’s office, which evaluates the property's market value and applies a percentage to reach the assessed value. This figure is then multiplied by the county’s tax rate to determine the tax bill. Suffolk County is known for its relatively high property tax bills, with a median tax bill of $8,844 in Boston, significantly higher than the national median of $2,400. Even the lowest median tax bill in the county, found in Chestnut Hill at $4,384, surpasses the national average. Homeowners in Suffolk face substantial tax liabilities, which can impact their overall housing costs. Factors such as location, property size, and market trends can influence the assessed value, affecting the final bill. Understanding these elements is crucial for homeowners to anticipate their financial obligations and potentially explore options for tax relief or appeal.

Property Tax Bills Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

$4,384

$19,892

$35,400

Median Suffolk County Tax Bill

$6,836

Median Massachusetts Tax Bill

$5,844

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Suffolk County, Massachusetts

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Allston	$3,565	$4,166	$5,713	$9,848	$13,735
Boston	$4,678	$6,239	$8,844	$15,410	$28,190
Brighton	$3,566	$4,080	$5,393	$9,556	$12,274
Charlestown	$5,142	$6,302	$8,631	$11,912	$16,136
Chelsea	$3,477	$4,578	$6,062	$7,928	$9,496
Chestnut Hill	$3,182	$3,556	$4,384	$9,676	$16,264
Dorchester	$3,961	$5,167	$6,885	$8,866	$11,026
Dorchester Center	$3,917	$5,257	$6,950	$8,496	$9,929
East Boston	$4,257	$5,350	$6,975	$9,018	$10,917
Hyde Park	$3,789	$4,633	$5,424	$6,531	$7,698
Jamaica Plain	$4,532	$5,540	$7,575	$11,254	$14,573
Mattapan	$3,955	$4,579	$5,803	$6,986	$8,353
Revere	$3,141	$4,219	$5,204	$6,348	$7,470
Roslindale	$4,194	$5,282	$6,647	$8,008	$9,415
Roxbury	$3,478	$4,438	$6,035	$7,877	$9,566
Roxbury Crossing	$3,738	$4,846	$8,422	$17,315	$21,744
South Boston	$5,108	$6,354	$8,252	$10,894	$14,452
West Roxbury	$4,113	$5,714	$6,917	$8,488	$10,214
Winthrop	$3,134	$5,017	$6,343	$7,657	$8,932
Brookline	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dedham	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Everett	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Milton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell