Braintree center
1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Dr, Braintree, MA 02184
Living in Braintree, Massachusetts
Braintree is a South Shore city on the Monatiquot and Cochato rivers, between Quincy and the Boston suburbs to the north and Randolph and Holbrook to the south and west. Colonized in 1635 and incorporated as a town in 1640, it later split off Quincy, Randolph and other neighboring towns before adopting a city charter in 2007; its municipal building is still called Town Hall. Braintree is a regional transit and shopping hub, home to the Braintree MBTA Red Line terminus and South Shore Plaza.
Braintree at a glance
- $10.06Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,306Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-30 minDrive to Boston
- NorfolkCounty
Braintree's villages and zip codes
Braintree uses ZIP codes 02184 and 02185 (the latter a P.O. box ZIP).
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Braintree center | 02184 | The area around Town Hall on the town common. |
| South Braintree | 02184 | A village center in the southern part of the city, near the Braintree Red Line/commuter rail station. |
| East Braintree | 02184 | A neighborhood on the eastern side of the city near the Weymouth Landing/East Braintree commuter rail station. |
Things to do in Braintree, MA
Start with South Shore Plaza and Pond Meadow Park, then 2 more below.
South Shore Plaza
A large regional shopping mall with department stores, national retailers and restaurants.
250 Granite St, Braintree, MA
Pond Meadow Park
A shared park with Weymouth featuring trails, ponds and open space for walking and fishing.
Braintree/Weymouth line, MA
General Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace
The preserved birthplace of Sylvanus Thayer, the 'Father of West Point,' maintained as a historic site.
Braintree, MA
Thayer Public Library
The city's main public library, endowed by Sylvanus Thayer.
798 Washington St, Braintree, MA
More worth a visit
- Sunset LakeA town pond area used for passive recreation.
- Blue Hills ReservationState reservation trails reachable from Braintree's western side.
A little history
Braintree was colonized in 1635 and incorporated as a town in 1640, taking its name from the English town of Braintree in Essex.
The original town of Braintree once included what are now Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook and parts of other South Shore towns before they were set off separately.
In 1920, a payroll robbery and shooting in South Braintree led to the trial and eventual execution of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, one of the most contested criminal cases in U.S. history.
Braintree adopted a city charter in 2007 after more than 350 years as a town.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Braintree
Braintree's park land centers on Pond Meadow Park, shared with neighboring Weymouth, along with access to the Blue Hills Reservation to the west.
- Pond Meadow ParkTrails and ponds shared with Weymouth, used for walking and fishing.
- Sunset LakeA town pond area for passive recreation.
Walkability and getting around Braintree
Braintree center and South Braintree near the T station have sidewalks and some walkable retail, but South Shore Plaza and much of the rest of the city are built around driving and parking.
South Braintree
East Braintree
Drive times
- Boston, about 11 miles20-30 min
- Logan International Airport, about 14 miles25-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Red Line ends at Braintree station, which also serves as a stop on the Middleborough/Lakeville and Kingston/Plymouth commuter rail lines. The Greenbush Line stops at Weymouth Landing/East Braintree. Several MBTA bus routes connect through the city.
Braintree property taxes
Braintree's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.39. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,006 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,306, on an average assessed value of $726,203.
Braintree's FY2026 tax rates
$10.06per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.06 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$21.39 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$726,203
- Average single-family tax bill$7,306
- 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 | $9.95 |
| FY2023 | $9.76 |
| FY2024 | $9.48 |
| FY2025 | $9.98 |
| FY2026 | $10.06 |
Look up a Braintree property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 781-794-8000
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Braintree
What we check on a Braintree purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, foundations, river flood zone, smoke/co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Norfolk County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Monatiquot River and Cochato River run through Braintree, and low-lying parcels along them fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BraintreeSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Braintree Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-843-3600 to schedule.
Braintree Fire Department pageAsk about foundation testing
The Massachusetts Geological Survey at UMass Amherst lists Braintree among the towns at moderate risk from pyrrhotite, a mineral linked to crumbling concrete foundations, based on distance from the Connecticut quarry that supplied the concrete. On a home with a poured concrete foundation, ask whether it has been tested.
UMass pyrrhotite guideCheck FEMA flood maps near the Monatiquot and Cochato rivers
Parts of Braintree along the Monatiquot River and the Cochato River, which forms the border with Randolph, fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer near either river.
Fire department inspection before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Sellers in Braintree schedule this through the Braintree Fire Department.
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 Braintree?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Braintree address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Braintree: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Braintree.
- WaterBraintree Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer Division (town water)
- Sewer or septicCity sewer service in developed areas.
- Trash and recyclingThe Department of Public Works manages residential trash and recycling collection in Braintree.
- 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
Braintree Town Hall is at 1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Dr, Braintree, MA 02184. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; Tuesday 8:30 AM-7 PM; Friday 8:30 AM-1 PM. Main line: 781-794-8000.
- Town HallMain line and website781-794-8000
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and city council records.781-794-8000
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.781-794-8000
- Braintree Fire DepartmentFire prevention, inspections and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.781-843-3600
- Department of Public WorksTrash/recycling, water/sewer, roads and infrastructure.781-794-8000
- Thayer Public LibraryThe city's public library.
- Braintree Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits
Braintree, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Braintree, MA?
Braintree's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.39. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Braintree?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,024 a year at $10.06 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Braintree have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.06 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.39.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Braintree?
The average single-family tax bill in Braintree was $7,306 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $726,203.
What county is Braintree, MA in?
Braintree is in Norfolk County.
Is Braintree a town or a city?
Braintree adopted a city charter in 2007 after more than 350 years as a town; its municipal building is still called Town Hall.
What ZIP code does Braintree use?
Braintree primarily uses ZIP code 02184.
Is there a Red Line station in Braintree?
Yes. Braintree station is the southern terminus of the MBTA Red Line and also serves the Middleborough/Lakeville and Kingston/Plymouth commuter rail lines.
Which towns border Braintree?
Braintree borders Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook and Weymouth.
Towns near Braintree
Neighbors of Braintree, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Braintree, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Braintree official website: braintreema.gov
- Braintree Fire Department: braintreema.gov
- Braintree Staff Directory: braintreema.gov
- Braintree 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.