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Boston Sets 2026 Property Tax Rates With 13% Jump for Average Homeowner

State limits on shifting taxes to businesses remain after the Senate declined to advance Boston’s request.

Overview

  • The City Council voted 12-0 to set the residential rate at $12.40 per $1,000 of value and the commercial rate at $26.96 under the maximum 175% classification.
  • Bills take effect in January 2026 with an estimated $780 annual increase for the average single-family homeowner.
  • Councilors also approved the maximum 35% residential exemption, which city officials project could save qualifying homeowners up to $4,354.74.
  • Mayor Michelle Wu’s effort to temporarily raise the commercial multiple to 180% has stalled in the Senate, and her office says that change would have lowered the typical increase to about $480.
  • City officials cite state-certified assessments showing residential values up about 2% and commercial values down about 6%, a trend that has intensified debate between calls for fiscal restraint and frustration over stalled state action.