Property Valuation Newton’s property tax rates are well below the median property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value (in other words: an “apples to apples” comparison with other communities). According to the Massachusetts Department of Local Services, Newton’s residential tax rate for 2022 was $10.52, making Newton the 53rd lowest out of 351 communities, putting it in the lowest 15% for residential tax rates by assessed value. The median assessed value of a single-family home is approximately $1.66M.
Tax rate’s effect on the average taxpayer
Valuation, Parcels & Tax Bill for Single Family Homes in Newton
Fiscal Year Total Value Parcels Average Value Tax Rate Tax Bill State Rank
13
2019
$20.12 B
16964
$1.19 M
$10.45
$12,393
13
2020
$20.86 B
16953
$1.23 M
$10.44
$12,849
14
2021
$21.08 B
16941
$1.24 M
$10.76
$13,386
16
2022
$22.58 B
16940
$1.33 M
$10.52
$14,024
14
2023
$24.62 B
16944
$1.45 M
$10.18
$14,793
15
2024
$27.15 B
16938
$1.6 M
$9.76
$15,642
14
2025
$28.18 B
16928
$1.66 M
$9.80
$16,314
If Newton’s tax rate is low, why are taxes higher than property owners in some other communities?
Newton’s property tax rate is very low compared with other Massachusetts communities – in fact, our residential tax rate is in the lowest 15% of communities. Newton’s homes are, however, very valuable. The median home price in Newton is now just over $1.6 million. People move to Newton because of excellent school system, wonderful neighbors and neighborhoods, and excellent services ̶ all in close proximity to Boston. The real estate market here in Newton is very attractive, and that results in continued growth in home values. That means Newton homeowners might still pay what seems like “high taxes.” A low tax rate applied to a very valuable property results in what seems like a big bill. In FY2021, Newton’s average tax bill was $13,386 which ranked 15th in the Commonwealth for single family properties but below area communities like Brookline ($23,447), Wellesley ($18,690), Belmont ($17,057), Lexington ($18,502), and Weston ($24,448).
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