Marlborough center
140 Main St, Marlborough, MA 01752
Living in Marlborough, Massachusetts
Marlborough is a city in MetroWest, about 30 miles west of Boston, founded by settlers from Sudbury in 1656 and incorporated as a town in 1660, becoming a city in 1890. The Assabet River crosses the northwest corner of the city, and three lakes, Lake Williams, Millham Reservoir and Fort Meadow Reservoir, sit within city limits. By 1890, Marlborough had become a major shoe-manufacturing center, producing boots for Union soldiers during the Civil War.
Marlborough at a glance
- $10.54Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,441Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-30 minDrive to Worcester
- MiddlesexCounty
Marlborough's zip code
Marlborough uses a single ZIP code, 01752, for the whole city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Marlborough center | 01752 | Along Main Street, where City Hall, shops and municipal offices are located. |
Things to do in Marlborough, MA
Start with Assabet River Rail Trail and Capt. Peter Rice House, then 1 more below.
Assabet River Rail Trail
A multi-use trail converted from the former Marlborough Branch railroad corridor, with paved and unpaved sections running through Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Acton along the Assabet River.
Marlborough, MA
Capt. Peter Rice House
A house dating to about 1688, one of the city's oldest surviving structures.
Marlborough, MA
Marlborough Center Historic District
A historic district around the city center with buildings reflecting Marlborough's development as a mill and shoe-manufacturing city.
Main St, Marlborough, MA
A little history
Marlborough was founded in 1656 by settlers from Sudbury and incorporated as a town in 1660, taking its name from the market town of Marlborough in Wiltshire, England.
By 1890, when it was incorporated as a city, Marlborough had become a major shoe-manufacturing center, producing boots for Union soldiers during the Civil War.
George Washington visited Williams Tavern in Marlborough shortly after his 1789 inauguration.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Marlborough
Marlborough's outdoor recreation centers on the Assabet River in the city's northwest corner and on Lake Williams, Millham Reservoir and Fort Meadow Reservoir within city limits.
- Assabet River Rail TrailMulti-use rail trail along the Assabet River, connecting Marlborough to four neighboring towns.
- Fort Meadow ReservoirA reservoir partly within Marlborough and partly in Hudson.
- Lake WilliamsOne of three lakes within Marlborough's city limits.
Walkability and getting around Marlborough
Marlborough's city center along Main Street has sidewalks connecting City Hall and downtown businesses, and the Assabet River Rail Trail gives a car-free route along the river, but most of the city, especially its Route 20 and Route 495 commercial areas, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 20 miles25-30 min
- Logan International Airport, about 35 miles45-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) operates local bus routes in Marlborough, including a Downtown Marlborough Loop. Marlborough has no commuter rail station of its own; the closest MBTA Commuter Rail service is on the Framingham/Worcester Line.
Marlborough property taxes
Marlborough's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.54 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.43. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,054 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,441, on an average assessed value of $611,100.
Marlborough's FY2026 tax rates
$10.54per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.54 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$18.43 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$611,100
- Average single-family tax bill$6,441
- 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 | $13.12 |
| FY2023 | $11.54 |
| FY2024 | $10.24 |
| FY2025 | $9.86 |
| FY2026 | $10.54 |
Look up a Marlborough property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Marlborough
What we check on a Marlborough purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, river flood zone, lake communities.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
The Assabet River crosses Marlborough's northwest corner, putting low-lying parcels near the river in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for MarlboroughSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Marlborough Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-624-6986 to schedule.
Marlborough Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps near the Assabet River
Parts of northwest Marlborough near the Assabet River fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the river.
Homes near Lake Williams and Fort Meadow Reservoir
Marlborough has three lakes within city limits, including Lake Williams and Fort Meadow Reservoir, and homes near them may carry lake or association considerations. Ask about any lake-specific rules 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 Marlborough?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Marlborough address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Marlborough: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Marlborough: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNational Grid
- WaterMarlborough water system, which purchases some water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) but is not an MWRA sewer community
- Sewer or septicCity-operated wastewater treatment, not connected to the MWRA sewer system
- Trash and recyclingThe Department of Public Works handles curbside trash and recycling collection questions; the city publishes a collection calendar split between areas east and west of Route 20.
- 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
The Marlborough transfer station
Monday-Friday, 7 AM-3:30 PM (DPW office hours)
Transfer station detailsCity Hall offices and contacts
Marlborough City Hall is at 140 Main St, Marlborough, MA 01752. Main line: 508-460-3770.
- City HallMain line and website508-460-3770
- City ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Board of HealthPublic health services and permitting.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.508-624-6986
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water/sewer and trash/recycling.508-624-6910
- Marlborough Public LibraryThe city's public library.
- Marlborough Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Marlborough, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Marlborough, MA?
Marlborough's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.54 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.43. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Marlborough?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,216 a year at $10.54 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Marlborough have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.54 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.43.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Marlborough?
The average single-family tax bill in Marlborough was $6,441 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $611,100.
What county is Marlborough, MA in?
Marlborough is in Middlesex County.
What ZIP code does Marlborough use?
Marlborough uses a single ZIP code, 01752, for the whole city.
Does Marlborough have a train station?
No. Marlborough has no commuter rail station of its own; the closest MBTA service is on the Framingham/Worcester Line.
Is there local bus service in Marlborough?
Yes. The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) operates local routes, including a Downtown Marlborough Loop.
Who supplies electricity in Marlborough?
National Grid.
Which towns border Marlborough?
Marlborough borders Berlin, Hudson, Sudbury, Framingham, Southborough and Northborough.
Towns near Marlborough
Neighbors of Marlborough, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Marlborough, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Marlborough official website: marlborough-ma.gov
- Fire Department - Marlborough, MA: marlborough-ma.gov
- Trash / Recycling - Marlborough, MA: marlborough-ma.gov
- Assabet River Rail Trail - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- MetroWest Regional Transit Authority - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- MWRA Customer Communities: mwra.com
- Main St looking east, Marlborough MA 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.