Effective property tax rates for all 14 Massachusetts counties — median real estate taxes paid ÷ median home value, from U.S. Census ACS data — ranked highest to lowest. Hampden County has the highest rate at 1.57%; Nantucket County has the lowest at 0.22%.
Data as of July 2026.
| Rank | County | Effective rate | Median annual bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampden County | 1.57% | $4,332 | $276,300 |
| 2 | Franklin County | 1.51% | $4,595 | $303,400 |
| 3 | Hampshire County | 1.47% | $5,326 | $363,400 |
| 4 | Berkshire County | 1.37% | $3,891 | $283,800 |
| 5 | Worcester County | 1.33% | $5,207 | $390,700 |
| 6 | Plymouth County | 1.24% | $6,345 | $513,000 |
| 7 | Bristol County | 1.11% | $4,685 | $421,800 |
| 8 | Norfolk County | 1.09% | $7,081 | $649,400 |
| 9 | Essex County | 1.07% | $6,267 | $584,000 |
| 10 | Middlesex County | 1.05% | $7,240 | $687,200 |
| 11 | Barnstable County | 0.71% | $4,090 | $575,900 |
| 12 | Suffolk County | 0.67% | $4,533 | $680,700 |
| 13 | Dukes County | 0.50% | $5,503 | $1,104,100 |
| 14 | Nantucket County | 0.22% | $2,985 | $1,387,000 |
Rates are estimates derived from Census ACS 5-year data, not your actual bill — see the methodology for how they're calculated. A “≥” rate means the county sits at the ACS top-code ceiling, so the real rate may be higher.
Informational only — not legal or tax advice. Exemption rules and amounts are summarized from official statutes and state tax-agency sources as of each program's verified date and can change by legislative session. Dollar figures are estimates derived from Census ACS county tax data, not actual bills. Confirm your eligibility and current amounts with your county assessor before relying on anything here.