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 Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham occupies the elbow of Cape Cod, where the peninsula turns north, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Nantucket Sound on the other. First settled in 1664 as Monomoit, it was incorporated as Chatham, taking its name from Chatham, Kent, England, in 1712. Harbors, barrier beaches and the Chatham Light lighthouse shape the town's shoreline.
Chatham at a glance
- $3.67Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,381Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-40 minDrive to Hyannis
- BarnstableCounty
Chatham's villages and zip codes
Chatham uses several ZIP codes by village: 02633 for Chatham, 02650 for North Chatham and 02659 for South Chatham.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Chatham | 02633 | The town center on Main Street, with Town Offices, shops and Chatham Light. |
| North Chatham | 02650 | The northern part of town toward the Orleans line. |
| South Chatham | 02659 | The southwestern part of town toward Harwich. |
| West Chatham | 02633 | The western part of town along Route 28. |
| Chatham Port | 02633 | An area along Pleasant Bay in the northeastern part of town. |
Things to do in Chatham, MA
Start with Chatham Light and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, then 3 more below.
Chatham Light
An active U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse on Main Street overlooking Chatham Harbor and the barrier beach, with an adjacent overlook and Lighthouse Beach below.
37 Main St, Chatham, MA
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
A national wildlife refuge covering Monomoy Island and surrounding waters off Chatham, reachable by boat, with habitat for shorebirds and seals.
Off Morris Island, Chatham, MA
Atwood House Museum
A 1752 sea captain's house museum run by the Chatham Historical Society, with period rooms and local history exhibits.
347 Stage Harbor Rd, Chatham, MA
Chatham Railroad Museum
A museum in Chatham's 1887 former railroad depot, with railroad memorabilia and a restored New York Central caboose.
153 Depot Rd, Chatham, MA
Old Colony Rail Trail
A paved bike path built on a former rail bed, running through Chatham and connecting toward Harwich.
Chatham, MA
More worth a visit
- Chatham Anglers baseballA summer collegiate team in the Cape Cod Baseball League that plays home games at Veterans Field in Chatham.
- Chatham Marconi Maritime CenterA museum at the site of a former 1914 Marconi wireless station, covering the history of transatlantic radio communication.
A little history
The area was first settled by English colonists in 1664 under the name Monomoit, and was incorporated as the town of Chatham in 1712, named for Chatham, Kent, England.
Chatham Light has operated on Main Street since the 19th century and remains an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation.
A 1914 Marconi wireless station in Chatham played a role in early transatlantic radio communication; the site is now the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Chatham
Chatham has shoreline on both the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Sound, plus harbors, barrier beaches and Monomoy Island offshore.
- Monomoy National Wildlife RefugeA barrier island refuge off Chatham with shorebird and seal habitat, reachable by boat.
- Lighthouse BeachA beach below Chatham Light on the Atlantic side of town.
- Old Colony Rail TrailA paved rail-trail for walking and biking through Chatham.
- Chatham Harbor and Pleasant BaySheltered water on the town's north and east sides used for boating and fishing.
Walkability and getting around Chatham
Chatham's Main Street village center is walkable, with shops, restaurants and the lighthouse within a few blocks of each other, while the outlying villages of North, South and West Chatham are more spread out and generally require a car.
Drive times
- Hyannis, about 25 miles35-40 min
- Chatham Municipal Airport, about 2 miles5-10 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) provides bus service in Chatham, and the Old Colony Rail Trail gives a car-free route for cyclists toward Harwich. Chatham has no train station; Chatham Municipal Airport offers general-aviation service only.
Chatham property taxes
Chatham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $3.67 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $367 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,381, on an average assessed value of $1,738,711.
Chatham's FY2026 tax rates
$3.67per $1,000, residential
- Residential$3.67 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,738,711
- Average single-family tax bill$6,381
- 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 | $4.62 |
| FY2023 | $3.88 |
| FY2024 | $3.57 |
| FY2025 | $3.47 |
| FY2026 | $3.67 |
Look up a Chatham property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-945-5100
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Chatham
What we check on a Chatham purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
Chatham has shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Sound plus several harbors and Pleasant Bay, putting many shorefront and low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ChathamSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Chatham Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-945-2324 to schedule.
Chatham Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps on both coasts
Chatham has ocean shoreline on two sides, plus harbors and Pleasant Bay. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water here.
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 Chatham?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Chatham address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Chatham: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Chatham: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- WaterChatham Water Department (town-run public water)
- 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
Chatham Town Offices is at 549 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Main line: 508-945-5100.
- Town OfficesMain line and website508-945-5100
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.508-945-5100
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.508-945-5100
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-945-5100
- Building/Community Development DepartmentBuilding permits, planning and zoning.508-945-5168
- Parks & RecreationTown recreation programs and the Community Center.508-945-5175
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water and town infrastructure.508-945-5155
- Health DepartmentBoard of Health services, including Title 5 septic matters.508-945-5100
- Eldredge Public LibraryThe town's public library, at 564 Main St.
- Monomoy Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Chatham and Harwich.
Chatham, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Chatham, MA?
Chatham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $3.67 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 Chatham?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $1,468 a year at $3.67 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Chatham have a split tax rate?
No. Chatham uses a single rate of $3.67 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Chatham?
The average single-family tax bill in Chatham was $6,381 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,738,711.
What county is Chatham, MA in?
Chatham is in Barnstable County, at the elbow of Cape Cod.
What ZIP codes does Chatham use?
Chatham uses 02633 for the town center, 02650 for North Chatham and 02659 for South Chatham.
Which school district serves Chatham?
Chatham is part of the Monomoy Regional School District, along with Harwich.
Is there an airport in Chatham?
Chatham Municipal Airport offers general-aviation service; the nearest commercial airport is Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis.
What are Chatham's Town Offices hours?
Chatham's Town Offices, at 549 Main St, are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Towns near Chatham
Neighbors of Chatham, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Chatham, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Eldredge Public Library - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Monomoy Regional School District - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Chatham official website: chatham-ma.gov
- Chatham Town Office Hours: chatham-ma.gov
- Chatham Light 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: Bob Linsdell, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.