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Massachusetts Property Tax Guide

Newton MA Property Tax Rate 2026

Newton's FY2026 residential property tax rate is $9.69 per $1,000 of assessed value — down from $9.80 in FY2025. Here is the full breakdown: the rate table, example bills at every price point, how Massachusetts property tax works, and how to appeal an assessment.

Zev Steinmetz

Zev Steinmetz

Partner Agent, Steinmetz Real Estate Professionals · Updated June 2026

What is the Newton property tax rate for 2026?

Newton's FY2026 residential property tax rate is $9.69 per $1,000 of assessed value. The commercial, industrial, and personal-property rate is $18.06 per $1,000. The fiscal year runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Newton uses a split tax rate, meaning homeowners pay the lower residential rate while businesses pay the higher commercial rate.

Fiscal YearResidential (per $1,000)Commercial (per $1,000)
FY2026$9.69$18.06
FY2025$9.80—

Source: City of Newton Assessing Department. Rates verified 2026-06-10.

Why did Newton's rate go down while bills went up?

The residential rate dropped from $9.80 in FY2025 to $9.69 in FY2026 — yet many homeowners still saw a higher bill. The reason is that assessed values rose across the city at the same time. The tax rate is set by dividing the total amount Newton needs to raise (the levy) by the total assessed value of all property. When assessments climb, the rate per $1,000 can fall even as the dollar amount each home owes increases. A falling rate is not, by itself, a tax cut.

How much will I pay? Example Newton tax bills

At the FY2026 residential rate of $9.69 per $1,000, here is the annual property tax at several assessed values. Newton's median single-family and condo sold price over the past year is roughly $1,600,000 (from our MLS data), so the middle tiers below reflect a typical Newton home. Remember: tax is calculated on assessed value, which the city sets and which usually trails current market value.

Assessed ValueAnnual Tax (FY2026)Monthly Equivalent
$750,000$7,268$606
$1,000,000$9,690$808
$1,500,000$14,535$1,211
$2,500,000$24,225$2,019

Based on assessed value at $9.69 per $1,000 (FY2026). Median sold price based on information from MLS PIN. Not guaranteed accurate.

How does Massachusetts property tax work?

Massachusetts property tax is set locally and billed quarterly. Each town sets its own rate per $1,000 of assessed value, and the assessment is fixed as of January 1 of the prior year. A few rules apply statewide:

  • •Assessed, not market. Tax is based on the town's assessed value, not your purchase price. Assessments typically trail the market in a rising environment.
  • •Proposition 2½. A town's total tax levy can grow only 2.5% per year, plus new growth from new construction, unless voters approve an override.
  • •Quarterly bills. Preliminary bills are due August 1 and November 1; actual bills (reflecting the final rate) are due February 1 and May 1.
  • •Abatements. If your assessment looks too high, you file an abatement with the Board of Assessors after the Q3 actual bill, by the deadline on that bill.

Property taxes when buying or selling in Newton

When you buy a home, property tax is part of your monthly carrying cost and factors into how much a lender will approve. When you sell, you pay the Massachusetts deeds excise of $4.56 per $1,000 of sale price at closing — a separate transfer tax, not property tax. Taxes are prorated between buyer and seller at closing based on the closing date. For a town-specific walkthrough, see our guide to selling a house in Newton, explore Newton neighborhoods, or check what your home is worth with our instant home estimate.

How Newton compares to nearby towns

Newton's $9.69 residential rate is among the lower per-$1,000 rates in the area, but the actual bill depends on home values, which run high in Newton. Compare the FY2026 residential rates across the towns we serve:

  • •Newton: $9.69
  • •Brookline: $10.24 (with an owner-occupant residential exemption)
  • •Needham: $10.83
  • •Natick: $12.17 (single uniform rate)

For current sale-price context, see our Newton market report and Brookline market report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Newton's property tax rate for 2026?
Newton's FY2026 residential property tax rate is $9.69 per $1,000 of assessed value. The commercial rate is $18.06 per $1,000. These rates apply to the fiscal year running July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Did Newton's property tax rate go up or down in 2026?
The residential rate went down, from $9.80 per $1,000 in FY2025 to $9.69 in FY2026. A lower rate does not always mean a lower bill, because assessed values rose at the same time. Your actual tax depends on both the rate and your home's new assessment.
How much is property tax on a $1 million home in Newton?
A Newton home assessed at $1,000,000 owes $9,690 per year at the FY2026 residential rate of $9.69 per $1,000. Note this is based on assessed value, which is set by the city and typically trails current market value.
Why is Newton's commercial tax rate higher than the residential rate?
Newton uses a split tax rate with a residential factor that shifts part of the tax burden onto commercial, industrial, and personal property. As a result the commercial rate ($18.06) is roughly double the residential rate ($9.69). Homeowners pay the lower residential rate.
Is property tax based on what I paid for my home?
No. Massachusetts property tax is based on assessed value, which the city sets as of January 1 of the prior year — not on your purchase price. In a rising market, assessed values typically lag actual market values, so the tax bill usually reflects a figure below what a home would sell for today.
When are Newton property tax bills due?
Massachusetts towns bill quarterly. Newton issues preliminary bills due August 1 and November 1, then actual bills due February 1 and May 1 once the new rate and assessment are set. The actual bills reflect the final FY2026 rate.
What is Proposition 2½ and how does it limit Newton taxes?
Proposition 2½ is a Massachusetts law that caps the total amount a town can raise from property taxes (the levy) to 2.5% growth per year, plus new growth from new construction. It limits how fast the overall tax levy can rise, though an individual bill can still change if a home's assessment shifts relative to others.
Can I appeal my Newton property tax assessment?
Yes. If you believe your assessed value is too high, you can file an abatement application with the Newton Board of Assessors. Applications are filed after the Q3 actual tax bill is issued and must meet the statutory deadline printed on that bill. An abatement challenges the assessment, not the tax rate itself.
How does property tax affect buying or selling a home in Newton?
Buyers should factor the annual tax into their monthly carrying cost, and lenders include it in the debt-to-income calculation. Sellers pay the Massachusetts deeds excise of $4.56 per $1,000 of sale price at closing, separate from property tax. We prepare a full net-cost breakdown for every Newton buyer and seller.
Where does Newton's official property tax rate come from?
The FY2026 rates are published by the City of Newton Assessing Department. We verify every figure on this page directly against that source and note the verification date so the numbers stay accurate and citable.

Official source: Newton's FY2026 property tax rates are published by the City of Newton Assessing Department. View the official Newton tax rate page. Verified 2026-06-10.

Buying or selling in Newton?

We prepare a full cost breakdown — taxes, excise, and net proceeds — for every Newton buyer and seller. Get a market-based estimate or book a consultation.

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