Buying a home in Massachusetts
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Massachusetts.
For home buyers in Massachusetts: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
At Massachusetts's effective rate of 1.07%, a typical $655,219 home would owe about $7,011/year ($584/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
MassHousing
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit MassHousing →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in Massachusetts?
The effective property tax rate in Massachusetts is 1.07%: the median tax of $5,992 divided by the median home value of $562,100 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in Massachusetts?
$655,219 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Does Massachusetts have a real estate transfer tax?
Yes. The state transfer tax is 0.456% of the price, usually paid by the seller.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in Massachusetts?
MassHousing, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
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