Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Property Taxes

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

Median Dorchester, MA effective property tax rate: 1.07%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Massachusetts state median of 1.23%.
Median Dorchester, MA home value: $641,100
Median annual Dorchester, MA tax bill: $6,885, $4,485 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Suffolk County calculated?

Property taxes in Dorchester, MA 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 Dorchester’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Dorchester, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Dorchester, 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

$6,860

$6,366

Ownwell’s Dorchester Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Dorchester with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Dorchester’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 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 Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

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 Dorchester’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Massachusetts and the median property tax rates in Massachusetts and the U.S. Dorchester, located in Suffolk County, has a property tax rate that aligns closely with the state median of 1.07%, which is slightly above the national average of 1.02%. This means that residents in Dorchester might pay more in property taxes compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400. However, within Massachusetts, Dorchester's property tax rate is consistent, neither the highest nor the lowest, offering a balanced approach compared to other regions in the state. Understanding these rates can help property owners make informed decisions about potential tax liabilities and opportunities for appeals or exemptions.

Property Tax Rates Across Dorchester, 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 Dorchester Tax Rate

1.07%

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 Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
02121	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
02122	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
02124	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%
02125	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%	1.07%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

When examining property taxes in Dorchester, MA, 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 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.

In Suffolk County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. 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 Dorchester.

For example, the median home price in Dorchester is $641,100, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 02124 has the highest median home price at $762,900.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

$408,200

$1,852,150

$3,296,100

Median Dorchester Market Value

$641,100

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 Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
02121	$360,960	$488,900	$636,300	$757,400	$872,740
02122	$362,140	$461,000	$622,200	$814,250	$960,160
02124	$544,940	$656,000	$762,900	$828,050	$878,520
02125	$380,700	$494,500	$658,000	$905,700	$1,145,780

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

In Dorchester, Suffolk County, MA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local assessors. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual property tax bill. Factors influencing this calculation include the property's location, size, and condition. With a median home price of $641,100, homeowners in Dorchester face property tax bills significantly higher than the national median, with the 25th percentile at $5,167 and the 90th percentile reaching $11,026. Such high tax bills can be burdensome for homeowners, impacting their overall financial health. Ownwell assists homeowners by evaluating their property tax assessments and identifying potential savings. By appealing incorrect assessments and securing exemptions, Ownwell helps reduce the tax burden. This service ensures that homeowners only pay their fair share, potentially saving them thousands of dollars annually. With Ownwell's expertise, Dorchester homeowners can navigate the complexities of property taxes with confidence and ease.

Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Source: Ownwell

$4,384

$19,892

$35,400

Median Dorchester Tax Bill

$6,885

Median Suffolk County Tax Bill

$6,836

Median Massachusetts Tax Bill

$5,844

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
02121	$3,877	$5,251	$6,834	$8,134	$9,373
02122	$3,889	$4,951	$6,682	$8,746	$10,312
02124	$5,853	$7,046	$8,194	$8,894	$9,435
02125	$4,089	$5,311	$7,067	$9,727	$12,306

Source: Ownwell