Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Dorchester, Massachusetts
Median Dorchester, Massachusetts effective property tax rate: 1.16%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Massachusetts state median of 1.15%.
Median Dorchester, Massachusetts home value: $708,400
Median annual Dorchester, Massachusetts tax bill: $8,203, $5,803 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Suffolk calculated?
Property taxes in Dorchester, 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 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 April 13, 2026
Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.16%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$8,217
$7,626
How Does the Dorchester Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Dorchester property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Dorchester's median effective tax rate of 1.16% — based on actual property records in Suffolk County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Dorchester'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 Dorchester: rates range from $7,892.00 in 02122 to $8,458.00 in 02125, 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 Dorchester.
About Dorchester Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts
Dorchester's median effective property tax rate of 1.16% is higher than the Massachusetts state median of 1.15% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Suffolk 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 Dorchester. Homeowners in the 02125 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.16%, while those in 02122 pay 1.16%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Suffolk County. Understanding which part of Dorchester you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Dorchester 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 Dorchester, Suffolk 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 Dorchester'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 Dorchester Tax Rate
1.16%
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 Suffolk County Tax Rate
1.16%
Median Effective Massachusetts Tax Rate
1.15%
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 | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 02122 | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 02125 | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 02124 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
When examining property taxes in Dorchester, 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 Suffolk County assessment office 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 are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the season. Each property owner receives a notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill.
For example, the median home price in Dorchester is $708,400, with tax bills ranging from $6,108 at the 25th percentile to $13,242 at the 90th percentile. The median tax bill is $8,203, well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$434,900
$2,047,600
$3,660,300
Median Dorchester Market Value
$708,400
Median Suffolk County Market Value
$701,500
Median Massachusetts Market Value
$561,600
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 | $387,040 | $523,600 | $712,500 | $862,400 | $1,002,100 |
| 02122 | $387,000 | $507,900 | $681,500 | $894,600 | $1,052,620 |
| 02125 | $409,500 | $545,525 | $730,400 | $1,018,475 | $1,295,500 |
| 02124 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Property tax bills in Dorchester are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the city and county. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase as well, which often leads to a higher tax bill. For homeowners, this means the amount owed can change from year to year even if nothing about the home itself has changed.
In Dorchester, the median home price is $708,400, and property tax bills are well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. The 25th percentile tax bill is $6,108, the 75th percentile is $10,722, and the 90th percentile reaches $13,242. Median tax bills also vary by ZIP code, from $7,892 in 02122 to $8,458 in 02125. These differences show how location, assessed value, and local tax rates combine to shape what homeowners pay.
Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Source: Ownwell
$5,036
$23,711
$42,386
Median Dorchester Tax Bill
$8,203
Median Suffolk County Tax Bill
$7,906
Median Massachusetts Tax Bill
$6,068
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 | $4,482 | $6,063 | $8,251 | $9,987 | $11,605 |
| 02122 | $4,481 | $5,881 | $7,892 | $10,359 | $12,189 |
| 02125 | $4,742 | $6,317 | $8,458 | $11,794 | $15,002 |
| 02124 | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Suffolk Tax Assessor | |
| Website | properties.boston.gov |