First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Auburn, Massachusetts
Auburn is a town in Worcester County just southwest of the city of Worcester. It was incorporated in 1778 as "Ward," honoring Revolutionary War general Artemas Ward, and took the name Auburn in 1837. The town is best known as the site where Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket from Pakachoag Hill on March 16, 1926.
Auburn at a glance
- $14.24Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,307Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10–15 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Auburn's zip code
Auburn uses one zip code, 01501, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 01501 | The entire town is served by a single zip code; Town Hall sits on Central Street. |
Things to do in Auburn, MA
Start with Goddard Rocket Launching Site and Pakachoag Golf Course.
Goddard Rocket Launching Site
A National Historic Landmark within Pakachoag Golf Course marking the spot where Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926. An obelisk marks the exact launch site, with a plaque near Upland Street.
20 Upland Street, Auburn, MA 01501
Pakachoag Golf Course
A public golf course on Pakachoag Hill that surrounds the Goddard rocket launch site.
670 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501
A little history
Auburn was incorporated in 1778 as the town of Ward, named for Revolutionary War general Artemas Ward, and was renamed Auburn in 1837.
Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket from a farm on Pakachoag Hill in Auburn on March 16, 1926, a site now preserved as a National Historic Landmark.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Auburn
Auburn's main outdoor destination is Pakachoag Hill, home to the town's public golf course and the Goddard rocket launch site.
- Pakachoag Golf CoursePublic golf course on Pakachoag Hill.
Walkability and getting around Auburn
The area around Town Hall on Central Street has some walkable civic buildings, but Auburn's commercial strips along Route 12 and Southbridge Street are built for cars, and most of the town requires driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 6 miles10–15 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 5 miles10–15 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) serves the Auburn area from nearby Worcester. Auburn sits at the junction of I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike), I-290, I-395, US Route 20 and Massachusetts Route 12, and Worcester Regional Airport is about 5 miles away.
Auburn property taxes
Auburn's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.24 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $15.83. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,424 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,307, on an average assessed value of $442,873.
Auburn's FY2026 tax rates
$14.24per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.24 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$15.83 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$442,873
- Average single-family tax bill$6,307
- 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 | $16.82 |
| FY2023 | $15.88 |
| FY2024 | $14.93 |
| FY2025 | $14.29 |
| FY2026 | $14.24 |
Look up a Auburn property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Auburn
What we check on a Auburn purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, water district, smoke certificate.
Check the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for AuburnSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Auburn Fire Rescue Department before the sale closes. Call 508-832-7800 to schedule.
Auburn Fire Rescue Department pageAuburn Water District
Drinking water in Auburn comes from the Auburn Water District, a separate entity from the town's Department of Public Works, which handles sewer collection only.
Auburn Water DistrictFire Rescue Department inspection before closing
Massachusetts requires a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and smoke-certificate inspection before a home sale can close; in Auburn this is handled by the Fire Rescue Department.
Auburn Fire Rescue DepartmentAll 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 Auburn?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Auburn address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Auburn: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Auburn.
- WaterAuburn Water District, a separate entity from the town Department of Public Works
- Sewer or septicTown of Auburn Sewer Division collects wastewater and sends it to the Upper Blackstone Clean Water treatment plant in Millbury via local pump and ejector stations
- Trash and recyclingAuburn provides municipal curbside trash and recycling collection on a set schedule by street, with town-sold overflow trash bags for waste beyond the standard limit and a RecycleSmart single-stream recycling program.
- 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
Auburn Town Hall is at 104 Central Street, Auburn, MA 01501. Hours: Monday 8am–7pm; Tue–Thu 8am–4pm; Friday 8am–1pm.
- Town HallMain line and website
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing
- AssessorProperty values and assessments
- Public Health Division / Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5), well permitting and health inspections508-832-7703
- Fire Rescue DepartmentFire prevention, inspections and smoke-certificate inspections before a home sale508-832-7800
- Department of Public WorksRoads and the sewer collection system508-832-7814
- Auburn Water DistrictPublic drinking water supply
- Solid Waste & Recycling DivisionCurbside trash and recycling program508-832-7703
- Parks, Recreation & Cemetery CommitteeParks and recreation programs
- Auburn Public Library (Merriam Library)Public library
Auburn, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Auburn, MA?
Auburn's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.24 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $15.83. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Auburn?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,696 a year at $14.24 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Auburn have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $14.24 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $15.83.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Auburn?
The average single-family tax bill in Auburn was $6,307 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $442,873.
Is trash pickup curbside in Auburn?
Yes. The town collects trash and recycling curbside on a street-by-street schedule, with town-sold overflow bags for extra trash.
What zip code is Auburn, MA?
01501, for the entire town.
Who supplies water in Auburn?
The Auburn Water District, a separate entity from the town's Department of Public Works.
How far is Auburn from Worcester?
About 6 miles, roughly a 10–15 minute drive.
What is Auburn known for historically?
It's the site where Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926, now a National Historic Landmark on Pakachoag Hill.
Towns near Auburn
Neighbors of Auburn, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Auburn, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Auburn official website: auburnma.gov
- Auburn Solid Waste & Recycling Information: auburnma.gov
- Auburn Fire Rescue Department: auburnma.gov
- Auburn Public Health Division: auburnma.gov
- Auburn Department of Public Works: auburnma.gov
- Goddard Rocket Launching Site: en.wikipedia.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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.