Property Tax in Franklin County
via TaxByCounty
Franklin taxes well above national average
Franklin County's effective tax rate of 1.514% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it well into the top quarter of tax-burdened counties nationwide. The median tax bill of $4,595 exceeds the national median of $2,690, though homes are slightly cheaper at $303,400 compared to the national $281,900. Adjusted for property value, Franklin homeowners face one of America's steeper property tax burdens.
Franklin ranks second-highest in Massachusetts
At 1.514%, Franklin County ranks second-highest among all Massachusetts counties, exceeded only by Hampden at 1.568%, and nearly half a percentage point above the state average of 1.065%. The median tax of $4,595 sits between the state median of $5,149, reflecting Franklin's lower home values averaging just $303,400. Franklin's high tax rate combined with modest incomes creates one of the state's toughest property tax environments.
Franklin leads all New England neighbors
Franklin's 1.514% rate substantially exceeds nearby Hampshire County (1.466%) and dramatically outpaces Berkshire (1.371%) and all counties southward. When compared to neighboring Vermont and New Hampshire, Franklin's rate is among the highest in the tri-state region, reflecting Massachusetts' overall tax burden. The county's inland agricultural and small-town character hasn't insulated it from steep tax pressure.
A $303,400 home costs roughly $4,595 yearly
The median Franklin property—valued at $303,400—generates an annual tax bill of approximately $4,595, nearly identical for mortgaged and outright owners at $4,542 and $4,672 respectively. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $137,850 in property taxes. For rural western Massachusetts, where incomes are typically lower than state averages, this tax burden represents a significant household expense.
Assessment appeals are critical in Franklin
Franklin's struggling rural economy means assessments often fail to reflect declining property values in many towns, leaving homeowners overpaying relative to true market worth. Appealing an assessment costs nothing and could yield meaningful reductions, particularly important in a county with the state's second-highest tax rate. Communities across Franklin have benefited from assessment challenges that bring values in line with actual comparable sales.