Massachusetts taxes — property, income, sales, retirement

Home·Tax overview·Massachusetts

Property tax, income tax, sales tax, and retirement-income treatment in Massachusetts. Quick read for movers, retirees, and remote workers.

Flat 5% income tax + 4% surcharge over $1M (Millionaires' Tax). SS untaxed. Pensions taxable but social security excluded.
Effective property tax
1.14%
of home value/yr
Income tax (top rate)
9% on $1M+
Sales tax (state)
6.25%
local adds more
SS taxed by state?
No

Property tax

Massachusetts’s effective property tax rate is approximately 1.14% of assessed home value per year. On a $350,000 home that’s about $3,989/yr. Rates vary by county and municipality — this is a state-wide average.

Income tax

Top marginal rate: 9% on $1M+. Brackets vary by income. For wage earners, the effective rate depends on filing status, deductions, and credits.

Sales tax

State base rate: 6.25%. Local municipal and county additions can raise the combined rate by 1-4 percentage points.

Retirement income

Social Security: Not taxed by state. Pensions & 401(k) withdrawals: Fully taxed at state income rate.

Top cities in Massachusetts

Boston · pop 673,458 · momentum 56

Worcester · pop 211,286 · momentum 68

Springfield · pop 154,888 · momentum 72

Cambridge · pop 121,186 · momentum 56

Lowell · pop 120,418 · momentum 66

Brockton · pop 105,788 · momentum 65

Compare to other states: All 50 state tax overviews · All Massachusetts cities · Best Massachusetts cities for retirees

Sources: Tax Foundation effective property tax rankings, state DOR publications, AARP retirement tax guide. 2024/2025 representative figures — verify with a CPA for your specific situation.