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 Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city on the Merrimack River in the Merrimack Valley, incorporated as a town in 1847 and as a city in 1853 after the Essex Company built a dam and canal system that made it a major textile manufacturing center. The Great Stone Dam across the Merrimack, built in the 1840s, remains a defining landmark of the city's mill-era layout.
Lawrence at a glance
- $8.64Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,140Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 40-50 minDrive to Boston
- EssexCounty
Lawrence's villages and zip codes
Lawrence uses several ZIP codes, including 01840, 01841 and 01843.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Lawrence | 01840 | The city center along Essex Street and Common Street, home to City Hall and the historic mill district. |
| South Lawrence | 01843 | The section of the city south of the Merrimack River. |
| North Lawrence | 01841 | Neighborhoods north of downtown toward the Methuen line. |
Things to do in Lawrence, MA
Start with Lawrence Heritage State Park and Great Stone Dam and Canal District, then 2 more below.
Lawrence Heritage State Park
A state park in a restored boardinghouse that tells the story of the city's textile-mill era, with exhibits on the canal system and the workers who ran the mills.
1 Jackson St, Lawrence, MA
Great Stone Dam and Canal District
The 1840s dam across the Merrimack River and the network of power canals it fed, which shaped Lawrence's mill-era street grid and brick mill buildings.
Merrimack River, Lawrence, MA
Den Rock Park
A conservation area with wooded trails and rock outcroppings used for hiking and rock climbing.
Den Rock Park Rd, Lawrence, MA
Essex Street Historic District
A commercial historic district with 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, including the Gleason Building, along the city's main retail street.
Essex St, Lawrence, MA
More worth a visit
- Bellevue CemeteryA large historic cemetery with mature landscaping overlooking the city.
A little history
The Essex Company began building the Great Stone Dam and a system of power canals across the Merrimack River in 1845, creating a planned industrial city that was incorporated as a town in 1847 and a city in 1853.
The 1912 Bread and Roses Strike began among Lawrence's textile mill workers protesting a pay cut, and ended with wage increases of up to 20 percent across the industry.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Lawrence
The Merrimack River and its canal system run through the center of the city, and Den Rock Park gives Lawrence a wooded conservation area with trails and climbing.
- Den Rock ParkTrails and rock outcrops used for hiking and climbing.
- Great Stone DamThe 1840s dam on the Merrimack River, viewable from riverside points downtown.
Where to eat in Lawrence: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Lawrence to try, including steakhouse and mexican restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Eleven Kitchen & Bar
Steakhouse
An steakhouse on Essex Street in downtown Lawrence.
226 Essex St, Lawrence, MA
Cafe Azteca
Mexican restaurant
A restaurant on Essex Street serving Mexican dishes.
275 Essex St, Lawrence, MA
Vaka
Dominican-Japanese fusion restaurant
A restaurant on Essex Street combining Dominican and Japanese dishes.
337 Essex St, Lawrence, MA
Walkability and getting around Lawrence
Downtown Lawrence's dense mill-era street grid around Essex Street and the canal district supports walking between shops, restaurants and City Hall, though outlying residential sections rely more on driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 30 miles40-50 min
- Logan International Airport, about 30 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA Commuter Rail's Haverhill Line stops at Lawrence station, providing service to Boston's North Station. Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) buses serve the city and connect to neighboring Merrimack Valley communities.
Lawrence property taxes
Lawrence's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.64 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.06. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $864 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,140, on an average assessed value of $479,209.
Lawrence's FY2026 tax rates
$8.64per $1,000, residential
- Residential$8.64 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$18.06 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$479,209
- Average single-family tax bill$4,140
- 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 | $11.44 |
| FY2023 | $10.16 |
| FY2024 | $9.25 |
| FY2025 | $8.80 |
| FY2026 | $8.64 |
Look up a Lawrence property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-620-3000
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Lawrence
What we check on a Lawrence purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, river flood zone, smoke certificate.
Check the flood zone first
The Merrimack River runs through the center of Lawrence, putting low-lying parcels along the river and its canals in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for LawrenceSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Lawrence Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-620-3400 to schedule.
Lawrence Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps near the Merrimack
Parts of Lawrence along the Merrimack River and its historic canal system fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the river.
Smoke and CO certificate required before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Schedule the inspection with the Lawrence Fire Department early in the process.
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 Lawrence?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Lawrence address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Lawrence: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Lawrence: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNational Grid
- WaterLawrence Water & Sewer / Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation supplies the region's water via the Lawrence system
- Sewer or septicCity sewer service covers most of Lawrence's built-up areas.
- Trash and recyclingThe city provides weekly curbside trash collection to residential buildings of six or fewer units, divided into five sections each collected on a different weekday, with single-stream recycling collected on the same system.
- 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
Lawrence City Hall is at 200 Common Street, Lawrence, MA 01840. Hours: Mon, Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; Tue 8:30 AM-7:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM-1:30 PM. Main line: 978-620-3000.
- City HallMain line and website978-620-3000
- City ClerkVital records and elections.978-620-3000
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-620-3000
- Solid Waste ManagementTrash and recycling collection.
- Board of HealthPublic health, including Title 5 septic and well matters.978-620-3130
- Lawrence Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.978-620-3400
- Inspectional ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.
- Lawrence Public LibraryThe city's public library.
- Lawrence Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Lawrence, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Lawrence, MA?
Lawrence's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.64 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.06. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Lawrence?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,456 a year at $8.64 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Lawrence have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $8.64 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.06.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Lawrence?
The average single-family tax bill in Lawrence was $4,140 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $479,209.
What county is Lawrence, MA in?
Lawrence is in Essex County.
Is Lawrence a city or a town?
Lawrence is a city, incorporated in 1853 after being incorporated as a town in 1847.
Who supplies electricity in Lawrence?
National Grid supplies electricity and natural gas in Lawrence, and the city also runs a municipal aggregation program, Lawrence Energy Choice, for the supply portion of the bill.
Is trash pickup curbside in Lawrence?
Yes, for residential buildings of six or fewer units. The city is divided into five sections, each collected weekly on a set weekday, with single-stream recycling on the same schedule.
Is there a train station in Lawrence?
Yes. Lawrence station on the MBTA Commuter Rail's Haverhill Line runs to Boston's North Station.
How far is Lawrence from Boston?
Lawrence is about 30 miles from Boston, roughly a 40-50 minute drive.
Towns near Lawrence
Neighbors of Lawrence, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Lawrence, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Lawrence official website: cityoflawrence.com
- Solid Waste Management - City of Lawrence: cityoflawrence.com
- Board of Health - City of Lawrence: cityoflawrence.com
- Lawrence Fire Department: lawpd.com
- Lawrence, Massachusetts 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: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.