Arlington Center
730 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
Living in Arlington, Massachusetts
Arlington is a town about 6 miles northwest of downtown Boston, incorporated in 1807 as West Cambridge and renamed Arlington in 1867. Paul Revere's midnight ride passed through the area, then known as Menotomy, and a Revolutionary War skirmish here killed more Americans than any other engagement that day. Massachusetts Avenue runs the length of the town through Arlington Center, East Arlington and Arlington Heights, and the Minuteman Bikeway follows a former rail line along the town's northern side.
Arlington at a glance
- $10.67Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $11,947Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Arlington's villages and zip codes
Arlington uses two ZIP codes: 02474 for East Arlington and 02476 for the rest of town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Center | 02476 | The town's downtown along Massachusetts Avenue, where Town Hall, shops and the library are located. |
| Arlington Heights | 02476 | The western section of town along Massachusetts Avenue toward Lexington. |
| East Arlington | 02474 | The eastern section of town toward the Cambridge and Somerville lines, near Alewife Brook. |
Things to do in Arlington, MA
Start with Minuteman Bikeway and Spy Pond, then 2 more below.
Minuteman Bikeway
A 10-mile paved rail trail running from Bedford through Lexington and Arlington to Alewife station in Cambridge, used for biking, walking, jogging and, in winter, cross-country skiing.
Along the former Boston & Maine rail corridor, Arlington, MA
Spy Pond
A 103-acre pond near the center of town with a path along its shore next to the Minuteman Bikeway, used for fishing and birdwatching; Elizabeth Island in the pond is preserved as conservation land.
Spy Pond, Arlington, MA
Old Schwamb Mill
A working mill operating on the same site since 1650, historically known for turning oval picture frames, open for tours.
17 Mill Ln, Arlington, MA
Regent Theatre
A historic theater in Arlington Center hosting live music, comedy and film.
7 Medford St, Arlington, MA
More worth a visit
- Cyrus Dallin Art MuseumA small museum focused on the work of sculptor Cyrus Dallin, an Arlington resident.
A little history
European colonists settled the area in 1635 as Menotomy, part of Cambridge, and it was incorporated as the separate town of West Cambridge in 1807; the town was renamed Arlington in 1867.
On April 19, 1775, fighting during Paul Revere's alarm and the British retreat from Concord passed through Menotomy; roughly half of all American deaths that day occurred here.
VisiCalc, widely considered the first spreadsheet software, was developed by Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston in an Arlington apartment in 1979.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Arlington
Arlington's outdoor recreation centers on Spy Pond and the Minuteman Bikeway, which runs the length of the town's northern side along a former rail corridor.
- Minuteman Bikeway10-mile paved trail connecting Arlington to Lexington, Bedford and Cambridge's Alewife station.
- Spy Pond103-acre pond with shoreline paths, fishing and birdwatching near the town center.
- Arlington ReservoirA town-owned reservoir and swimming area.
Walkability and getting around Arlington
Arlington Center, East Arlington and Arlington Heights each have walkable commercial nodes along Massachusetts Avenue with sidewalks, and the Minuteman Bikeway gives a car-free route through town, though Arlington has no train or subway station of its own.
Arlington Heights
East Arlington
Drive times
- Boston, about 6 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 11 miles25-30 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA bus routes 62, 67, 77, 79 and 350 serve Arlington along Massachusetts Avenue and connecting streets. Arlington has no commuter rail or subway station; the closest rapid transit is the Red Line's Alewife station, just over the line in Cambridge.
Arlington property taxes
Arlington's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.67 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,067 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $11,947, on an average assessed value of $1,119,722.
Arlington's FY2026 tax rates
$10.67per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.67 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,119,722
- Average single-family tax bill$11,947
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $11.42 |
| FY2023 | $11.21 |
| FY2024 | $10.59 |
| FY2025 | $10.77 |
| FY2026 | $10.67 |
Look up a Arlington property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Arlington
What we check on a Arlington purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, brook flood zone, mwra water & sewer.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Alewife Brook and Mystic Lakes run along Arlington's edges, putting some low-lying parcels near them in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ArlingtonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Arlington Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-316-3800 to schedule.
Arlington Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps near Alewife Brook
Parts of East Arlington near Alewife Brook fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the brook.
Public water and sewer townwide
Arlington's water and sewer system draws from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), so properties are on public water and sewer rather than wells or septic systems.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Arlington?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Arlington address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Arlington: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Arlington: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource
- WaterArlington Water & Sewer Division, supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)
- Sewer or septicMWRA-connected municipal sewer system
- Trash and recyclingArlington provides an automated curbside trash and recycling collection program to residents; extra trash or recycling carts can be leased annually through the town's hauler.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Town Hall offices and contacts
Arlington Town Hall is at 730 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8 AM-4 PM; Thursday 8 AM-7 PM; Friday 8 AM-Noon.
- Town HallMain line and website
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.781-316-3050
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.781-316-3030
- Health DepartmentPublic health services, permitting and Board of Health.781-316-3271
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.781-316-3800
- Public Works, Recycling & TrashCurbside trash, recycling and composting programs.781-316-3108
- Robbins LibraryThe town's public library.
- Arlington Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Arlington, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Arlington, MA?
Arlington's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.67 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Arlington?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,268 a year at $10.67 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Arlington have a split tax rate?
No. Arlington uses a single rate of $10.67 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Arlington?
The average single-family tax bill in Arlington was $11,947 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,119,722.
What county is Arlington, MA in?
Arlington is in Middlesex County.
What ZIP codes does Arlington use?
Arlington uses 02474 for East Arlington and 02476 for the rest of town.
Does Arlington have a train station?
No. Arlington has no commuter rail or subway station; the closest rapid transit is the Red Line's Alewife station in Cambridge.
Does Arlington have curbside trash pickup?
Yes, through an automated curbside trash and recycling collection program.
What is the Minuteman Bikeway?
A 10-mile paved rail trail running through Arlington between Bedford and Cambridge's Alewife station.
Which towns border Arlington?
Arlington borders Medford, Somerville, Cambridge, Winchester, Lexington and Belmont.
Towns near Arlington
Neighbors of Arlington, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Arlington, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Arlington official website: arlingtonma.gov
- Treasurer/Collector - Town of Arlington: arlingtonma.gov
- Health Department - Town of Arlington: arlingtonma.gov
- Fire - Town of Arlington: arlingtonma.gov
- Recycling, Trash, Composting - Town of Arlington: arlingtonma.gov
- Minuteman Bikeway - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Spy Pond - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- MWRA Customer Communities: mwra.com
- Arlington MA Town Hall photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Tim Pierce, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.