First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Barnstable County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Brewster, Massachusetts
Brewster sits on the Lower Cape between Cape Cod Bay and the Nickerson State Park woodlands, about 14 miles east of Barnstable. It was set off from Harwich and incorporated in 1803, taking its name from Elder William Brewster of the Plymouth Colony. Wide tidal flats along Cape Cod Bay and the 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park, with its cluster of kettle ponds, define the town.
Brewster at a glance
- $6.77Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,544Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-30 minDrive to Hyannis
- BarnstableCounty
Brewster's villages and zip codes
Brewster uses a single ZIP code, 02631, for the entire town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Brewster | 02631 | The town center along Route 6A, home to Town Hall, the library and Drummer Boy Park. |
| East Brewster | 02631 | The eastern part of town toward the Orleans line. |
| West Brewster | 02631 | The western part of town toward the Dennis line. |
| South Brewster | 02631 | The inland southern part of town, near Nickerson State Park and the Harwich line. |
Things to do in Brewster, MA
Start with Nickerson State Park and Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, then 3 more below.
Nickerson State Park
A 1,900-acre state park with kettle ponds including Cliff, Flax and Higgins ponds, more than 400 campsites, and 8 miles of paved biking trails that connect to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Swimming, fishing and hiking are all available on site.
3488 Main St, Brewster, MA
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
A natural history museum with exhibits on Cape Cod's plants, animals and geology, plus trails onto adjoining conservation land.
869 Main St, Brewster, MA
Stony Brook Grist Mill
A working 19th-century grist mill and herring run near Stony Brook, with seasonal alewife migration in the spring.
830 Stony Brook Rd, Brewster, MA
Drummer Boy Park and Old Higgins Farm Windmill
A town park with the 1795 Old Higgins Farm Windmill and views over the Cape Cod Bay marshes.
Route 6A, Brewster, MA
Brewster Flats
Extensive tidal sand flats along Cape Cod Bay that are exposed for long stretches at low tide, popular for tide-pooling and walking.
Cape Cod Bay beaches, Brewster, MA
More worth a visit
- Brewster Whitecaps baseballA summer collegiate team in the Cape Cod Baseball League that plays home games in Brewster.
A little history
The area that became Brewster was first settled by English colonists around 1659 and was part of Harwich until it was set off and incorporated as its own town in 1803, taking its name from Elder William Brewster of the Plymouth Colony.
Brewster became known as a 'sea captain's town' for the number of 18th- and 19th-century ship captains who built homes there along Route 6A.
Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan visited Brewster in July 1888.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Brewster
Brewster runs from the wide tidal flats of Cape Cod Bay to the freshwater kettle ponds of Nickerson State Park, with the Cape Cod Rail Trail linking the two.
- Nickerson State ParkKettle ponds, camping and paved biking and walking trails on 1,900 acres.
- Brewster FlatsTidal sand flats along Cape Cod Bay, exposed for long stretches at low tide.
- Cape Cod Rail TrailA paved rail-trail passing through Brewster and connecting to Nickerson State Park's bike paths.
- Stony Brook Herring RunA seasonal alewife run near the Stony Brook Grist Mill.
Walkability and getting around Brewster
Brewster's Route 6A corridor has sidewalks connecting some shops and civic buildings, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail gives a car-free route through town, but most of Brewster's neighborhoods and beach roads are spread out and built for driving.
Drive times
- Hyannis, about 14 miles25-30 min
- Barnstable Municipal Airport (Hyannis), about 20 miles30-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) provides bus service in Brewster, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through town for cyclists and pedestrians. Brewster has no train station; the nearest seasonal Cape Flyer service to Boston runs from Hyannis.
Brewster property taxes
Brewster's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.77 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $677 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,544, on an average assessed value of $966,605.
Brewster's FY2026 tax rates
$6.77per $1,000, residential
- Residential$6.77 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$966,605
- Average single-family tax bill$6,544
- 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 | $7.85 |
| FY2023 | $6.99 |
| FY2024 | $6.81 |
| FY2025 | $6.88 |
| FY2026 | $6.77 |
Look up a Brewster property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-896-3701 ext. 1137
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Brewster
What we check on a Brewster purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, coastal flood zone.
Check the flood zone first
Brewster's north side faces Cape Cod Bay, where wide tidal flats and low-lying shore roads put some waterfront parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BrewsterSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Brewster Fire/Rescue before the sale closes.
Brewster Fire/Rescue pageMost of Brewster relies on septic and, in places, private wells
Brewster has no curbside trash pickup and much of the town relies on private septic systems rather than town sewer. A home on septic needs a Title 5 inspection before it can be sold in Massachusetts. Confirm well and septic status early when you're touring a property here.
Check FEMA flood maps near Cape Cod Bay
Brewster's Cape Cod Bay shoreline includes low-lying tidal flat frontage. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.
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 Brewster?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Brewster address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Brewster: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Brewster: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- WaterBrewster Water Department (town-run public water)
- Trash and recyclingBrewster has no curbside trash collection. Residents bring waste to the town transfer station using pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) bags and an annual vehicle permit checked by license-plate recognition.
- 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
Brewster Transfer Station
201 Run Hill Road, Brewster, MA 02631 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and holidays
Annual permit required; purchased online
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Brewster Town Hall is at 2198 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM; Fridays by appointment. Main line: 508-896-3701.
- Town HallMain line and website508-896-3701
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.508-896-3701 ext. 1137
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.508-896-3701
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-896-3701 ext. 1112
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.508-896-3701 ext. 1125
- Planning OfficeZoning, land use and planning applications.508-896-3701 ext. 1133
- Health DepartmentBoard of Health services, including Title 5 septic matters.508-896-3701 ext. 1120
- Water DepartmentTown public water service.508-896-5454
- Brewster Ladies' LibraryThe town's public library.508-896-3913
- Nauset Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Brewster.
Brewster, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Brewster, MA?
Brewster's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.77 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 Brewster?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,708 a year at $6.77 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Brewster have a split tax rate?
No. Brewster uses a single rate of $6.77 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Brewster?
The average single-family tax bill in Brewster was $6,544 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $966,605.
What county is Brewster, MA in?
Brewster is in Barnstable County, on the Lower Cape.
What ZIP code does Brewster use?
Brewster uses a single ZIP code, 02631, for the whole town.
Is trash pickup curbside in Brewster?
No. Brewster has no curbside collection; residents bring trash and recycling to the town transfer station on Run Hill Road using pay-as-you-throw bags and an annual permit.
Who supplies electricity in Brewster?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Brewster.
Which school district serves Brewster?
Brewster is part of the Nauset Regional School District, along with Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet.
What are Brewster Town Hall's hours?
Brewster Town Hall, at 2198 Main St, is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Fridays by appointment.
Towns near Brewster
Neighbors of Brewster, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Brewster, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Nickerson State Park - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Nauset Regional School District - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Brewster official website: brewster-ma.gov
- Brewster Recycling Center / Transfer Station: brewster-ma.gov
- Brewster Town Offices 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: Emw, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.