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 loansLiving in Belmont, Massachusetts
Belmont is a town in Middlesex County bordering Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, Waltham, and Watertown. It was incorporated on March 18, 1859, from land taken from those bordering towns, and takes its name from John Perkins Cushing's estate, Belmont. The town shifted from an agrarian community to a residential suburb after trolley service arrived around 1900.
Belmont at a glance
- $11.51Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $19,579Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Belmont's villages and zip codes
Belmont uses a single ZIP code, 02478, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont Center | 02478 | The town's civic and commercial center, with an MBTA Commuter Rail stop. |
| Waverley | 02478 | A neighborhood and Commuter Rail stop on the Fitchburg Line, in the western part of town. |
| Cushing Square | 02478 | A commercial square in eastern Belmont. |
| Belmont Hill | 02478 | A residential area on high ground in the eastern part of town. |
Walkability and getting around Belmont
Belmont Center and Cushing Square have sidewalks connecting shops and municipal buildings, and both have MBTA Commuter Rail access, but much of the town's residential area is built for driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 8 miles20-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 14 miles25-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Fitchburg Line serves Belmont at two stations, Belmont Center and Waverley. Bus service also runs through town, and the Red Line is accessible via Alewife Station in neighboring Cambridge.
Belmont property taxes
Belmont's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.51 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,151 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $19,579, on an average assessed value of $1,701,064.
Belmont's FY2026 tax rates
$11.51per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.51 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,701,064
- Average single-family tax bill$19,579
- 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 | $11.56 |
| FY2023 | $11.24 |
| FY2024 | $10.56 |
| FY2025 | $11.39 |
| FY2026 | $11.51 |
Look up a Belmont property
- 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 Belmont
What we check on a Belmont purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal electric.
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 BelmontSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Belmont Fire Department before the sale closes.
Belmont Fire Department pageBelmont Light supplies electricity
Belmont runs its own municipal electric utility, Belmont Light, rather than being served by an investor-owned utility like Eversource or National Grid.
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 Belmont?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Belmont address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Belmont: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Belmont: Belmont Light, the town's municipal electric utility, in operation for over 125 years for power.
- ElectricBelmont Light, the town's municipal electric utility, in operation for over 125 years
- Trash and recyclingThe town runs a monthly yard-waste pickup program from July through October.
- 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
Belmont Town Hall is at 455 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA 02478. Main line: 617-993-2600.
- Town HallMain line and website617-993-2600
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments.
- Treasurer & Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Planning & BuildingBuilding permits, zoning, and planning applications.
- RecreationTown parks, recreation programs, and facility reservations.
- Public WorksRoads, town facilities, and infrastructure.
- Health DepartmentTitle 5 septic inspections, wells, and public health.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.
- Belmont Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Belmont Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Belmont, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Belmont, MA?
Belmont's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.51 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 Belmont?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,604 a year at $11.51 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Belmont have a split tax rate?
No. Belmont uses a single rate of $11.51 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Belmont?
The average single-family tax bill in Belmont was $19,579 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,701,064.
What county is Belmont in?
Belmont is in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Belmont use?
Belmont uses a single ZIP code, 02478, for the whole town.
How far is Belmont from Boston?
Belmont is about 8 miles from Boston, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Who supplies electricity in Belmont?
Belmont Light, the town's own municipal electric utility, which has served the community for more than 125 years.
Is there a train station in Belmont?
Yes. The MBTA Fitchburg Line serves Belmont at Belmont Center and Waverley.
Which towns border Belmont?
Belmont borders Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, Waltham, and Watertown.
Towns near Belmont
Neighbors of Belmont, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Belmont, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Belmont official website: belmont-ma.gov
- Belmont Light official website: belmontlight.com
- McLean Hospital - Wikipedia: 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.
- Checked September 25, 2026.