Property tax in Barnstable County, Massachusetts
The median property tax bill in Barnstable County, Massachusetts is $4,090 a year, which is about 0.71% of the county's median home value of $575,900. That effective rate is lower than the typical Massachusetts county (1.1%) and lower than the national median (0.84%). These are Census figures; your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Property tax in Barnstable County at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $4,090 |
| Median home value | $575,900 |
| Effective tax rate | 0.71% |
| Typical Massachusetts county rate | 1.1% |
| National median county rate | 0.84% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Barnstable County compare in Massachusetts?
Among Massachusetts's 14 counties, Barnstable County has the 11th highest effective property-tax rate. It sits in the middle of the state's range. To see every Massachusetts county ranked, see Massachusetts property tax by county.
What the effective rate means
The effective rate here is the median tax bill divided by the median home value, which is the standard way to compare property taxes across places. It is not a rate you are billed directly. Your actual bill is your home's assessed value times the local millage rates set by the county, city, school district, and any special districts, minus exemptions you qualify for (such as a homestead exemption). Two homes of the same market value in the same county can owe different amounts.
Property tax is a state and local matter. For the state's income and retirement tax picture, see Massachusetts income tax and Massachusetts retirement taxes.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for Barnstable County, Massachusetts: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2023), tables B25103 and B25077.