Essex County Property Taxes
Essex County, Massachusetts
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
21.7% above state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$522/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
1.07%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$584,000
State avg ▼ $587,193
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$6,235
$520/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$6,351
$529/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#6
of 14 counties (1 = lowest)
Data Story
About Property Taxes in Essex County, Massachusetts
Essex taxes just above national average
Essex County's effective tax rate of 1.073% sits just above the national median of 1.1%, placing it slightly above average in American tax burden terms. The median tax bill of $6,267 significantly exceeds the national median of $2,690, but reflects Essex's elevated median home value of $584,000 versus the national $281,900. On a rate basis, Essex homeowners face typical American property tax pressure, though the absolute dollars are substantial.
Essex's rate mirrors the Massachusetts average
At 1.073%, Essex's effective rate is nearly identical to the Massachusetts state average of 1.065%, placing it dead center among state counties. The median tax of $6,267 exceeds the state median of $5,149 by 22%, reflecting Essex's significantly higher home values averaging $584,000. Essex represents quintessential Massachusetts property taxation—balanced between affluent coastal suburbs and working-class mill towns.
Essex leads wealthy northeastern Massachusetts
Essex's 1.073% rate is lower than Bristol (1.111%) and substantially below inland counties like Hampshire (1.466%), Franklin (1.514%), and Hampden (1.568%). Compared to nearby New Hampshire and Vermont, Essex's rate remains competitive for high-value suburban markets. The county's position as Massachusetts' wealthiest region is reflected in its moderate-to-low tax rate relative to state peers, despite its elevated home values.
A $584,000 home costs roughly $6,267 yearly
The median Essex property—valued at $584,000—generates an annual tax bill of approximately $6,267, nearly identical for mortgaged and outright owners at $6,235 and $6,351 respectively. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $188,010 in property taxes. Essex homeowners pay the second-highest absolute tax bills in Massachusetts, reflecting both their high home values and the county's rate near the state average.
Assessments in booming markets need checking
Essex's appreciating real estate market can lead to assessments that haven't kept pace with recent market corrections or that overvalue based on outdated comparable sales. Homeowners have a right to appeal assessments if they exceed fair market value—a process with no cost to initiate. In a county where the average property tax exceeds $6,000 annually, a successful appeal could yield hundreds or thousands in yearly savings.
How Essex County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
Essex County
1.07%
Effective rate
Massachusetts Avg
0.88%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Essex County, Massachusetts?
How much are property taxes in Essex County?
How does Essex County compare to the Massachusetts average?
What is the median home value in Essex County, Massachusetts?
Why is Essex County property tax rate higher than the Massachusetts average?
How does Essex 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.