Boston Money Calculators
19 free calculators built on Boston's own tax, housing and insurance rules — each with the reasoning explained.
Boston at a glance
| State and local income tax | Massachusetts 5% (+4% over $1,107,750) |
|---|---|
| Take-home on $100,000 (single, no deductions) | $73,940 |
| Property tax | Boston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. |
| Government closing taxes on a $500,000 purchase (buyer + seller) | $2,280 |
| Transit | MBTA: about $90 a month |
| Auto insurance minimum | Bodily injury 25/50 ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident), $30,000 property damage, $8,000 personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured auto 25/50 — the higher limits in effect since 07/01/2025. |
Income taxes in Boston
Massachusetts taxes income at a flat 5% after a personal exemption ($4,400 single, $8,800 joint), and a 4% surtax applies to taxable income above $1,107,750 for 2026. Boston does not have a city income tax.
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave takes 0.46% of wages from most employees in 2026, up to the Social Security wage base, and shows as its own paycheck line.
Housing: renting and buying
Boston's housing mixes triple-deckers, brownstones and newer towers. Neighborhoods include Back Bay, the South End, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, East Boston, Charlestown and Roslindale. Many leases start September 1 because of the large student population.
Boston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. Owner-occupants can claim the residential exemption, worth up to $4,353.74 in FY2026, which removes a flat amount of value from the bill.
Closing costs and transfer taxes
Massachusetts charges a deeds excise of $4.56 per $1,000 of price, customarily paid by the seller. There is no separate city transfer tax in Boston, which keeps closing taxes low compared with NYC or Chicago.
Getting around
The MBTA runs the subway, buses and commuter rail, with a $90 monthly LinkPass for subway and local bus. Parking in Boston is tight, resident permits apply in most neighborhoods, and garage spaces are costly.
Insurance and everyday costs
Massachusetts raised its compulsory auto limits in July 2025 to 25/50 bodily injury and $30,000 property damage, with $8,000 of PIP. It is a no-fault state and does not allow credit scores in auto pricing.
Massachusetts has some of the highest childcare costs in the US. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) runs financial assistance for eligible families, and Boston's universal pre-K serves many four-year-olds.
Boston's rent, childcare and utility costs are high; winter heating is a real line item. Many residents rely on transit rather than a car.
How to use the Boston calculators
Every tool below uses Boston's own rules — the Massachusetts tax engine for paychecks, the City of Boston Assessing Department's method for property tax, and local transfer taxes for closing costs. Start with the paycheck calculator to see real take-home pay, then use the housing tools to test rents or home prices against it. Each result comes with a Reasoning box that explains which rule mattered most.
Income & Taxes
Housing & Real Estate
Insurance & Everyday Costs
Boston Special Tools
Frequently asked questions
Does Boston have a city income tax?
No. Boston does not levy a personal income tax; see the paycheck calculator for state taxes.
How much is take-home pay on $100,000 in Boston?
About $73,940 a year for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, based on 2026 rules.
Where do the Boston numbers come from?
Tax rates and rules come from official sources such as the IRS, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the City of Boston Assessing Department. Cost estimates such as typical rent are Rate and Reason starting points that you can replace with your own numbers.