10 Towns Where Your Property Taxes Will Cost More Than Your Mortgage Payment
Ten Greater Boston towns have property taxes that exceed mortgage payments on median-priced homes. Acton ($18,640 taxes vs $16,800 mortgage on $1M home), Reading ($15,820 vs $14,400), Andover ($14,600 vs $13,200), Franklin ($16,890 vs $15,600), and Westborough ($16,410 vs $15,200) all have taxes exceeding mortgage payments. The 30-year cost difference between high-tax and low-tax towns is $359,100 (Cambridge $200,100 vs Acton $559,200).
Homebuyers evaluating Greater Boston towns, families comparing total ownership costs, anyone wondering why property taxes matter, buyers trying to understand hidden costs, people comparing towns by total expenses.
- •Property taxes exceed mortgage payments in 10 Greater Boston towns
- •30-year tax cost ranges from $200,100 (Cambridge) to $559,200 (Acton) on $1M home
- •Tax rate ranges from $6.67/$1,000 (Cambridge) to $18.64/$1,000 (Acton)
- •Annual tax difference: $11,970 between Cambridge ($6,670) and Acton ($18,640)
- •High-tax towns require $50K-$100K more in annual income to afford same home
- •Tax rates compound over time—small differences become massive over 30 years
Use our Tax Rates page to compare all Greater Boston towns side-by-side. Factor property taxes into total ownership costs—not just mortgage. Understand that high-tax towns require $50K-$100K more in annual income. Consider tax rates when choosing towns—the 30-year difference is $359,100.
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