Essex County, MA Property Taxes (2026)

Essex County owners pay a median of $6,267 a year on a median home value of $584,000, an effective rate of 1.07%. That's the 9th-highest rate of 14 Massachusetts counties with Census data, below the Massachusetts county median of 1.10%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

Is your Essex appraisal too high?

We compare your value to recent Essex County sales and show you in about a minute whether a appeal is worth it.

  • Free check
  • No credit card

Effective tax rate

1.07%

9th highest of 14 in MA

Median annual bill

$6,267

~$522/month

Median home value

$584,000

Massachusetts county median

1.10%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Essex County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Essex County's 1.07% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$6,249
Savings at 10–15% off
$625–$937
Check my actual assessment →

Essex County vs. Massachusetts vs. U.S. property tax rates

Essex County1.07%
Massachusetts county median1.10%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Essex County's effective property tax rate is 1.07%, vs. 1.10% for the median Massachusetts county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 9th of 14 in Massachusetts. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Essex County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Essex Board of Assessors. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Essex County deadline is February 1. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the Board of Assessors.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $6,267 bill, 10–15% off is $627–$940 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

Check my assessment

Property tax exemptions in Massachusetts

Massachusetts homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Essex Board of Assessors for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Essex County, Massachusetts?
The median effective property tax rate in Essex County is 1.07%: a median annual bill of $6,267 on a median home value of $584,000. That's the 9th-highest rate of 14 Massachusetts counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Essex County?
The median Essex County property tax bill is $6,267 a year, about $522 a month, compared with a Massachusetts county median of $4,946.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Essex County?
The deadline to appeal in Essex County is February 1. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Essex County a high property tax area?
Essex County's 1.07% effective rate is below the Massachusetts county median of 1.10% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 9th-highest rate of 14 Massachusetts counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Essex County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Suffolk County

Rate: 0.67%

Median bill: $4,533

Middlesex County

Rate: 1.05%

Median bill: $7,240

Norfolk County

Rate: 1.09%

Median bill: $7,081

Plymouth County

Rate: 1.24%

Median bill: $6,345

Worcester County

Rate: 1.33%

Median bill: $5,207

Bristol County

Rate: 1.11%

Median bill: $4,685

Barnstable County

Rate: 0.71%

Median bill: $4,090

Dukes County

Rate: 0.50%

Median bill: $5,503

← All 14 Massachusetts counties

Stop overpaying on property taxes

See in about a minute whether your Essex value looks too high.

Check my assessment — free