Suffolk County, MA Property Tax: $4,533/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Suffolk County is 0.67% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $680,700, that works out to about $4,561 per year, or $380 per month. Suffolk County is located in central Massachusetts, and is home to approximately 782,172 residents.
About Suffolk County
Suffolk County covers approximately 58.3 square miles in Massachusetts. The county is home to about 782,172 residents living in roughly 353,930 housing units, of which 33.3% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $92,859, and the median home was built in 1948.
Suffolk County borders Essex County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Massachusetts
Property taxes in Massachusetts are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Massachusetts offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Suffolk County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Suffolk County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk County, MA | 0.67% | $680,700 | $4,561 |
| Massachusetts state average | 1.07% | — | $7,283* |
| Essex County | 1.07% | $584,000 | $6,267 |
| Middlesex County | 1.05% | $687,200 | $7,240 |
| Norfolk County | 1.09% | $649,400 | $7,081 |
| Plymouth County | 1.24% | $513,000 | $6,345 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Suffolk County's median home value of $680,700. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Suffolk County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
At 0.67%, Suffolk County is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 1.07%. On a home at the county median of $680,700, that means about $4,561 per year — versus $7,283 at the state average rate, a difference of $2,722 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Suffolk County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Suffolk County?
For a home at the county median value of $680,700, the annual property tax in Suffolk County is approximately $4,561 — or about $380 per month. For a home worth $1,021,050, expect around $6,841 per year. For a $1,361,400 home, approximately $9,121 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Suffolk County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Suffolk County are handled by the Suffolk County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Suffolk County?
Massachusetts counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.67% shown here. Contact the Suffolk County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File