Massachusetts home prices and mortgage costs
Typical home value $655,219 · +2.3% in a year · property tax 1.01%
Massachusetts ranks 3rd most expensive of 51 states and D.C. Home values changed +2.3% over the past year and +25.7% over five years. Buying the typical home with 20% down costs about $4,406 a month at 7.11%, which needs a household income of about $188,800.
Cost of the typical Massachusetts home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $131,044 | $524,175 | $3,526 | $0 | $880 | $4,406 | $188,800 |
| 10% down | $65,522 | $589,697 | $3,967 | $246 | $880 | $5,093 | $218,300 |
| 5% down | $32,761 | $622,458 | $4,187 | $259 | $880 | $5,327 | $228,300 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $22,933 | $643,351 | $4,328 | $290 | $880 | $5,498 | $235,600 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 1.01% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
Check a specific budget: how much house you can afford in Massachusetts by salary · payment on a $650K home in Massachusetts
Home prices by county in Massachusetts
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate | Payment / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket County | $3,186,894 | +9.5% | 0.25% | $19,406 | $831,700 |
| Dukes County | $1,556,392 | +6.1% | 0.5% | $9,803 | $420,100 |
| Middlesex County | $804,837 | +1.5% | 1.03% | $5,425 | $232,500 |
| Norfolk County | $764,424 | +2.5% | 1.06% | $5,172 | $221,700 |
| Barnstable County | $757,449 | +2.9% | 0.67% | $4,880 | $209,200 |
| Suffolk County | $738,589 | +0.2% | 0.66% | $4,750 | $203,600 |
| Essex County | $715,954 | +2.1% | 1.04% | $4,831 | $207,000 |
| Plymouth County | $646,858 | +4.0% | 1.17% | $4,435 | $190,100 |
| Bristol County | $545,691 | +3.7% | 1.07% | $3,694 | $158,300 |
| Worcester County | $495,048 | +1.9% | 1.28% | $3,441 | $147,500 |
| Hampshire County | $449,669 | +2.8% | 1.43% | $3,181 | $136,300 |
| Berkshire County | $389,996 | +1.6% | 1.32% | $2,723 | $116,700 |
| Franklin County | $369,047 | +1.6% | 1.43% | $2,612 | $111,900 |
| Hampden County | $351,040 | +4.0% | 1.49% | $2,501 | $107,200 |
Metro areas in Massachusetts
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Massachusetts?
The typical home in Massachusetts is worth $655,219 according to the Zillow Home Value Index for September 2026.
How much income do you need to buy a house in Massachusetts?
About $188,800 a year to buy the typical $655,219 home with 20% down at 7.11%, keeping housing under 28% of income.
What is the property tax rate in Massachusetts?
The typical effective rate is 1.01% of the home's value a year (median taxes paid divided by median home value, Census ACS 2025).