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Living in Burlington, Massachusetts

Burlington is a town in Middlesex County about 12 miles northwest of Boston, incorporated on February 28, 1799. First settled in 1641 and originally an agricultural town producing hops and rye, it grew rapidly into a commercial and office center after the construction of Route 128 in the 1950s and 1960s; between 1955 and 1965 it was the fastest-growing town in Massachusetts.

Burlington at a glance

Burlington's zip code

Burlington uses a single ZIP code, 01803, for the whole town.

Burlington villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Burlington center01803Along Center Street near Town Hall.

Things to do in Burlington, MA

Start with Mary Cummings Park and Mill Pond Conservation Area, then 1 more below.

  1. Mary Cummings Park

    A 216-acre park shared between Burlington and Woburn, with trails through varied terrain.

    FreeYear-round

    Burlington/Woburn line

  2. Mill Pond Conservation Area

    A conservation area centered on a roughly 500-million-gallon pond, used for walking.

    FreeYear-round

    Burlington, MA

  3. Burlington Mall

    A large regional shopping mall in Burlington.

    Year-round

    75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA

A little history

Burlington was first settled in 1641 and incorporated as its own town on February 28, 1799.

The town's name likely comes from Bridlington in Yorkshire, England, though the exact origin is not fully confirmed.

Burlington was the fastest-growing town in Massachusetts between 1955 and 1965, as offices and industry moved in following the construction of Route 128.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Burlington

Burlington's conservation land includes Mary Cummings Park, shared with Woburn, and the Mill Pond Conservation Area around one of the town's reservoirs.

  • Mary Cummings Park216 acres of trails shared with neighboring Woburn.
  • Mill Pond Conservation AreaTrails around a roughly 500-million-gallon pond.

Walkability and getting around Burlington

Burlington center has sidewalks near Town Hall, but the town's office parks, Route 128 corridor, and the Burlington Mall area are built primarily for driving.

Check any Burlington address

Drive times

  • Boston, about 12 miles25-35 min
  • Logan International Airport, about 18 miles25-35 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

MBTA bus routes 350 through 354 serve Burlington. The town has no Commuter Rail station of its own; the nearest is the Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn, about 3 miles away, and the nearest MBTA subway station is Alewife (Red Line) in Cambridge, about 9 miles away.

Burlington property taxes

Burlington's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.69 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.78. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $869 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,128, on an average assessed value of $820,280.

Burlington's FY2026 tax rates

$8.69per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$8.69 per $1,000
  • Commercial, industrial, personal property$25.78 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$820,280
  • Average single-family tax bill$7,128
  • 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.

Burlington property tax calculator

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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$9.95
FY2023$9.40
FY2024$8.94
FY2025$8.66
FY2026$8.69

Look up a Burlington property

Buying a home in Burlington

What we check on a Burlington purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate.

MassHousing

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 loans
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Burlington Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-270-1925 to schedule.

Burlington Fire Department page

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Burlington?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Burlington address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Burlington: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Burlington.

Town Hall offices and contacts

Burlington Town Hall is at 29 Center St, Burlington, MA 01803. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm; Wednesday 8:30am-7:00pm; Friday 8:30am-1:00pm. Main line: 781-270-1600.

Burlington, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Burlington, MA?

Burlington's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.69 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.78. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Burlington?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,476 a year at $8.69 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Burlington have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $8.69 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.78.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Burlington?

The average single-family tax bill in Burlington was $7,128 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $820,280.

What county is Burlington in?

Burlington is in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

What ZIP code does Burlington use?

Burlington uses a single ZIP code, 01803, for the whole town.

How far is Burlington from Boston?

Burlington is about 12 miles from Boston, roughly a 25-35 minute drive.

Is there a train station in Burlington?

No. Burlington has no Commuter Rail station of its own; the nearest is the Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn, about 3 miles away.

Which towns border Burlington?

Burlington borders Bedford, Billerica, Wilmington, Woburn, and Lexington.

Towns near Burlington

Neighbors of Burlington, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources