Barnstable County Property Taxes
Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
20.6% below state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$341/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
0.71%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$575,900
State avg ▼ $587,193
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$3,960
$330/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$4,275
$356/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#4
of 14 counties (1 = lowest)
Data Story
About Property Taxes in Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Barnstable taxes well below national average
Barnstable's effective tax rate of 0.710% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.1%, making it one of the more affordable property tax regions in the country. Homeowners here pay a median of $4,090 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—but that's because homes are worth significantly more, averaging $575,900 versus $281,900 nationally. When adjusted for home value, Barnstable ranks in the bottom quarter for tax burden nationwide.
Barnstable is Massachusetts' tax-friendliest county
At 0.710%, Barnstable's effective rate is the lowest in Massachusetts—nearly 0.4 percentage points below the state average of 1.065%. This means Barnstable homeowners pay $1,059 less in annual property taxes than the state median of $5,149, despite owning pricier properties. Barnstable's lower burden reflects deliberate town-level tax policy choices across the Cape.
Cape outpaces nearby New England regions
Barnstable's 0.710% rate significantly undercuts nearby Dukes County (0.498%, though on much pricier homes) and beats the state average by a wide margin. When compared to nearby Connecticut and Rhode Island counties with similar coastal economies, Barnstable's tax climate remains competitive for retirees and wealthy homebuyers seeking lower burdens. The county's advantage is most pronounced against inland Massachusetts counties like Hampden (1.568%) and Franklin (1.514%).
A $575,900 home costs roughly $4,090 yearly
The median Barnstable property—valued at $575,900—triggers an annual tax bill of approximately $4,090, split between $3,960 for mortgaged homes and $4,275 for outright owners. Over a 30-year mortgage, that's roughly $122,700 in total property taxes alone. For context, that yearly tax is 45% less than what homeowners pay on the state median property.
Overassessments may be costing you money
Many Barnstable homeowners are overassessed relative to fair market value, particularly in high-appreciation areas where assessments lag behind rapid price growth. You have the right to appeal your assessment if you believe it exceeds your property's true value—a process that typically costs nothing to initiate. Towns must reassess regularly, but errors happen; reviewing your assessment and comparable sales could unlock meaningful tax savings.
How Barnstable County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
Barnstable County
0.71%
Effective rate
Massachusetts Avg
0.88%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Barnstable County, Massachusetts?
How much are property taxes in Barnstable County?
How does Barnstable County compare to the Massachusetts average?
What is the median home value in Barnstable County, Massachusetts?
Is Barnstable County a low property tax area in Massachusetts?
How does Barnstable County rank for property taxes in Massachusetts?
Counties with Similar Tax Rates
Nearby Counties
Other Counties in Massachusetts
Data updated: March 2026
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.