Bedford center
10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730
Living in Bedford, Massachusetts
Bedford is a town in Middlesex County northwest of Boston, incorporated in 1729. Hanscom Field and part of Hanscom Air Force Base sit within town limits, and the Minuteman Bikeway, a former Boston and Maine Railroad line, runs through the center on its way to Arlington.
Bedford at a glance
- $12.49Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $12,985Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-45 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Bedford's zip code
Bedford uses the 01730 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford center | 01730 | Along Great Road (Routes 4 and 225), where the town offices, library, Bedford Depot Park and the historic district are located. |
Things to do in Bedford, MA
Start with Bedford Depot Park and Minuteman Bikeway, then 3 more below.
Bedford Depot Park
A small park and rail history site at the end of the Minuteman Bikeway, on the site of the former Bedford Depot railroad station.
Railroad Ave, Bedford, MA
Minuteman Bikeway
A paved rail-trail built on the former Boston and Maine Railroad line, running from Bedford through Lexington and Arlington toward Cambridge.
Starts at Bedford Depot Park
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Bedford unit)
Freshwater wetlands along the Concord River with trails and more than 200 recorded bird species; part of a refuge that also has units in Concord and Sudbury.
Off Hartwell Rd, Bedford, MA
Job Lane House
An 18th-century saltbox house maintained as a museum, open to the public on the second and fourth Sunday afternoons from May through October.
295 North Rd, Bedford, MA
Wilson Park and the Bedford Historic District
A small park in the town's historic district, near the Bedford Flag on display at the library and the 1816 Unitarian Church.
Bedford center
More worth a visit
- Two Brothers RocksBoulders on the Concord River inscribed 'Dudley' and 'Winthrop,' marking a 1638 land division between two brothers.
- John Wilson Corne Mill ruinsMill ruins on Vine Brook, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
A little history
Bedford was incorporated as a town in 1729, set off from Billerica, Concord and Bedford's own earlier land grants.
The Bedford Flag, on display at the Bedford Free Public Library, is described as the oldest known surviving intact battle flag in the United States, said to have been carried by a Bedford minuteman at the 1775 Battle of Concord.
Two Brothers Rocks on the Concord River are inscribed with the names 'Dudley' and 'Winthrop' and date to a 1638 division of land.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Bedford
Bedford's outdoor recreation centers on the Minuteman Bikeway and the wetlands along the Concord River.
- Minuteman BikewayA paved multi-use rail-trail connecting Bedford to Lexington, Arlington and the Alewife MBTA station.
- Great Meadows National Wildlife RefugeFreshwater wetlands along the Concord River with walking trails and wildlife viewing.
- Altmann Conservation AreaA conservation area providing access to Two Brothers Rocks on the Concord River.
Walkability and getting around Bedford
Bedford center along Great Road has sidewalks connecting the library, town offices and Depot Park, and the Minuteman Bikeway gives car-free access toward Lexington and Arlington, but most of the town's residential areas require a car.
Drive times
- Boston, about 21 miles35-45 min
- Hanscom Field, about 1 miles5 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA bus routes 62 and 62/76 serve Bedford, along with weekday rush-hour express bus Route 351 to Alewife station in Cambridge. There is no active commuter rail station in Bedford; the town's former rail line is now the Minuteman Bikeway.
Bedford property taxes
Bedford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.49 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $28.09. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,249 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $12,985, on an average assessed value of $1,039,668.
Bedford's FY2026 tax rates
$12.49per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.49 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$28.09 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,039,668
- Average single-family tax bill$12,985
- 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 | $13.58 |
| FY2023 | $12.48 |
| FY2024 | $11.88 |
| FY2025 | $12.04 |
| FY2026 | $12.49 |
Look up a Bedford property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 781-275-0046
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Bedford
What we check on a Bedford purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, title 5, smoke cert.
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
The Concord River forms part of Bedford's border and the Shawsheen River and Vine Brook also run through town; parts of low-lying land near these waterways fall in FEMA flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BedfordSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Bedford Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-275-7262 to schedule.
Bedford Fire Department pageSeptic systems on some lots
Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic system inspection before a home on a private system can be sold. Ask the Board of Health whether a specific property is on town sewer or a septic system.
Board of HealthSmoke and CO certificate before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home can close.
Fire 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 Bedford?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Bedford address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Bedford: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Bedford: Eversource, with a town Community Choice Aggregation program for electricity supply for power.
- ElectricEversource, with a town Community Choice Aggregation program for electricity supply
- Trash and recyclingTrash and recycling are collected curbside on a weekly schedule, with residents able to choose cart sizes; a fee schedule and quarterly mailer from the Department of Public Works cover current costs and any facility hours.
- 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 Offices offices and contacts
Bedford Town Offices is at 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730. Hours: See individual departments for business hours. Main line: 781-918-4000.
- Town OfficesMain line and website781-918-4000
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and business licensing
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments781-275-0046
- CollectorTax billing and payments
- Board of HealthSeptic, well and public health permits781-275-6507
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales781-275-7262
- Public WorksTrash, recycling, roads and water/sewer
- Planning BoardLand use and development
- Recreation DepartmentParks and recreation programs
- Bedford Free Public LibraryPublic library, 7 Mudge Way781-275-9440
- Bedford Public SchoolsSchool district website
Bedford, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Bedford, MA?
Bedford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.49 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $28.09. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Bedford?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,996 a year at $12.49 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Bedford have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $12.49 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $28.09.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Bedford?
The average single-family tax bill in Bedford was $12,985 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,039,668.
What zip code does Bedford, MA use?
Bedford uses the 01730 zip code.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Bedford?
Bedford collects trash and recycling curbside with resident-selected cart sizes and a town fee schedule, rather than pay-as-you-throw bags.
Who supplies electricity in Bedford?
Eversource delivers electricity in Bedford, and the town runs a Community Choice Aggregation program that lets residents choose among vetted electricity suppliers.
How far is Bedford from Boston?
Bedford is about 21 miles northwest of Boston, roughly a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic.
Is there commuter rail service in Bedford?
No. Bedford's former rail line is now the Minuteman Bikeway; residents use MBTA bus routes 62, 62/76 and the weekday express Route 351 to Alewife station instead.
Is there an airport in Bedford?
Hanscom Field, a general-aviation airport adjacent to Hanscom Air Force Base, is located in Bedford.
Towns near Bedford
Neighbors of Bedford, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Bedford, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Bedford, official website: bedfordma.gov
- Town of Bedford, Fire Department: bedfordma.gov
- Town of Bedford, Board of Health: bedfordma.gov
- Town of Bedford, Trash & Recycling: bedfordma.gov
- Town of Bedford, Board of Assessors: bedfordma.gov
- Bedford Free Public Library: bedfordlibrary.net
- Town of Bedford, Services (electric utility and CCA): bedfordma.gov
- Wikimedia Commons, File:Boston and Maine 6211, Bedford Depot, Bedford MA.jpg: 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.