First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, about 31 miles northeast of Boston on the Atlantic coast. Settled in 1623 and incorporated as a town in 1642, it became a city in 1873 and grew into one of America's most important fishing ports; the Annisquam River splits the city in two as it flows north into Ipswich Bay, and its working harbor still supports a commercial fishing fleet.
Gloucester at a glance
- $9.31Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,502Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- EssexCounty
- 1873Year incorporated
Gloucester's villages and zip codes
Gloucester uses the ZIP code 01930 for the city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Gloucester | 01930 | The city's urban core on the north side of the harbor, with City Hall, the fishing docks, and the MBTA Gloucester station. |
| East Gloucester | 01930 | A neighborhood on the east side of the harbor, home to the Rocky Neck Art Colony. |
| Annisquam | 01930 | A village on the Annisquam River near the northern tip of the city. |
| Magnolia | 01930 | A shoreline village in the southwestern part of the city, near Manchester-by-the-Sea. |
| West Gloucester | 01930 | A residential and wooded area west of the Annisquam River, with its own MBTA commuter rail stop. |
| Lanesville | 01930 | A former quarrying village on the northeastern shore of the city. |
Things to do in Gloucester, MA
Start with Man at the Wheel (Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial) and Rocky Neck Art Colony, then 3 more below.
Man at the Wheel (Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial)
A bronze statue on the waterfront honoring Gloucester fishermen lost at sea, a well-known symbol of the city.
Western Ave, Gloucester, MA
Rocky Neck Art Colony
A working art colony on a peninsula in East Gloucester with galleries and studios, described as one of the oldest working art colonies in the country.
East Gloucester, MA
Cape Ann Museum
A museum covering Gloucester's maritime, fishing, and art history, including works by Fitz Henry Lane.
Gloucester, MA
Stage Fort Park
A waterfront city park at the site of an early colonial settlement, with beaches, picnic areas, and harbor views.
Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA
Good Harbor Beach
A sandy public beach on the Atlantic side of the city.
Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA
More worth a visit
- Ravenswood ParkA wooded conservation area with hiking trails, including the Old Salem Road bridle path.
Around the calendar
- JuneSt. Peter's FiestaAn annual festival honoring the patron saint of fishermen, held the last weekend of June with the Blessing of the Fleet and other maritime traditions.
A little history
Gloucester was settled in 1623 and incorporated as a town in 1642, becoming a city in 1873.
The fishing industry became central to Gloucester's economy, and the first schooner is reported to have been built there in 1713.
Gorton's of Gloucester, a major seafood company, traces its founding to 1849 as John Pew & Sons.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Gloucester
Gloucester's Atlantic and Ipswich Bay shoreline gives it sandy beaches, harbor parks, and wooded conservation land across Cape Ann.
- Stage Fort ParkWaterfront park with beaches and picnic areas near the harbor entrance.
- Good Harbor BeachPublic Atlantic-facing sandy beach.
- Ravenswood ParkWooded conservation land with hiking trails.
Walkability and getting around Gloucester
Downtown Gloucester around Main Street and the harbor is walkable, with East Gloucester's Rocky Neck also dense and pedestrian-friendly, while outlying villages like Annisquam, Magnolia, and West Gloucester are more spread out and car-dependent.
Drive times
- Boston, about 31 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA Commuter Rail's Newburyport/Rockport Line serves two stops in the city, Gloucester station downtown and West Gloucester.
Gloucester property taxes
Gloucester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $9.61. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $931 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,502, on an average assessed value of $1,020,656.
Gloucester's FY2026 tax rates
$9.31per $1,000, residential
- Residential$9.31 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$9.61 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,020,656
- Average single-family tax bill$9,502
- 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 | $11.73 |
| FY2023 | $10.59 |
| FY2024 | $9.73 |
| FY2025 | $9.72 |
| FY2026 | $9.31 |
Look up a Gloucester property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Gloucester
What we check on a Gloucester purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal, well & septic.
Check the flood zone first
As a coastal city on Cape Ann with harbor frontage and Atlantic-facing beaches, Gloucester has FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones along its harbor, the Annisquam River, and shoreline neighborhoods such as Magnolia and Annisquam. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for GloucesterSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Gloucester Fire Department before the sale closes.
Gloucester Fire Department pageCoastal flood zones
Gloucester's harbor, Atlantic shoreline, and the Annisquam River put many waterfront and low-lying parcels within FEMA flood zones. Ask about flood zone status and flood insurance for any waterfront property before making an offer.
Some outlying areas use private wells or septic
Outlying villages on Cape Ann can rely on private wells and septic systems rather than city water and sewer. Buyers should confirm which utilities serve a specific property before making an offer.
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 Gloucester?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Gloucester address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Gloucester: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Gloucester.
- Trash and recyclingThe city was rolling out a new trash and recycling cart program as of 2025; check the city's Trash & Recycling page for current collection details.
- 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
City Hall offices and contacts
Gloucester City Hall is at 9 Dale Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930.
- City HallMain line and website
- City ClerkVital records, elections, licensing
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment
- Building/Inspectional ServicesPermits and inspections
- Planning DepartmentZoning and development
- Parks & RecreationParks, beaches, and programs
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash/recycling, and infrastructure
- Sawyer Free LibraryMain library
- Gloucester Public SchoolsSchool district
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits
Gloucester, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Gloucester, MA?
Gloucester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $9.61. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Gloucester?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,724 a year at $9.31 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Gloucester have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $9.31 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $9.61.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Gloucester?
The average single-family tax bill in Gloucester was $9,502 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,020,656.
What county is Gloucester in?
Gloucester is in Essex County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Gloucester use?
Gloucester uses the ZIP code 01930.
Is Gloucester on the MBTA Commuter Rail?
Yes. The Newburyport/Rockport Line serves two stations in the city: Gloucester (downtown) and West Gloucester.
How far is Gloucester from Boston?
Gloucester is about 31 miles northeast of Boston.
What neighborhoods make up Gloucester?
Gloucester's outlying neighborhoods include Annisquam, Bay View, Lanesville, Folly Cove, Magnolia, Riverdale, East Gloucester, and West Gloucester, in addition to the downtown urban core.
Which towns border Gloucester?
Gloucester borders Rockport, Ipswich, Essex, and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Towns near Gloucester
Neighbors of Gloucester, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Gloucester, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Gloucester official website: gloucester-ma.gov
- Wikimedia Commons: Gloucester, Massachusetts.jpg: 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: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.