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 Methuen, Massachusetts
Methuen is a city in Essex County on the northern bank of the Merrimack River, about 30 miles north-northwest of Boston on the New Hampshire border. First settled in 1642 and incorporated as a town in 1725, it became a city in 1917; the Spicket River, which powered the 19th-century Methuen Cotton Mills, still runs through the city on its way to the Merrimack.
Methuen at a glance
- $10.40Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,037Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- EssexCounty
- 1917Year incorporated
Methuen's villages and zip codes
Methuen uses a single ZIP code, 01844, for the whole city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Methuen / Central Square | 01844 | The city's historic commercial center, near City Hall and the Searles Building. |
| Gaunt Square | 01844 | A commercial square along Broadway (Route 28) in Methuen. |
Things to do in Methuen, MA
Start with Methuen Memorial Music Hall and Forest Lake, then 2 more below.
Methuen Memorial Music Hall
A concert hall built to house a large 19th-century pipe organ, used for organ recitals and concerts.
Methuen, MA
Forest Lake
A more than 55-acre city recreational area with a lake used for swimming and other water recreation.
Methuen, MA
Tenney State Park
A state park along the Merrimack and Spicket rivers with trails and the historic Tenney Gatehouse.
Methuen, MA
Nevins Memorial Library
A public library building completed in 1883 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Methuen, MA
A little history
Methuen was first settled in 1642 and incorporated as a town in 1725, named for Sir Paul Methuen of the King's Privy Council.
The Methuen Cotton Mills grew up around the Spicket River falls in the 1800s, driving the city's 19th-century industrial growth.
Nevins Memorial Library, completed in 1883, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Methuen
Methuen's recreation land runs from Forest Lake's swimming area to Tenney State Park's riverside trails along the Merrimack and Spicket rivers.
- Forest LakeCity-owned lake recreation area of more than 55 acres.
- Tenney State ParkState park along the Merrimack and Spicket rivers with walking trails.
Walkability and getting around Methuen
Central Square and Gaunt Square along Broadway have walkable commercial blocks, but most of Methuen's neighborhoods and its Route 28/213 commercial corridors are car-oriented.
Drive times
- Boston, about 30 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) buses serve Methuen. The nearest MBTA Commuter Rail stations are in Lawrence, Bradford, and Haverhill on the Haverhill Line to Boston's North Station.
Methuen property taxes
Methuen's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $20.08. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,040 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,037, on an average assessed value of $580,479.
Methuen's FY2026 tax rates
$10.40per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.40 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$20.08 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$580,479
- Average single-family tax bill$6,037
- 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 | $13.05 |
| FY2023 | $11.70 |
| FY2024 | $10.86 |
| FY2025 | $10.58 |
| FY2026 | $10.40 |
Look up a Methuen property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-983-8500
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Methuen
What we check on a Methuen purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, river flood zone.
Check the flood zone first
The Merrimack River along Methuen's southern edge and the Spicket River, which crosses the city, put some riverside parcels within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for MethuenSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Methuen Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-983-8500 to schedule.
Methuen Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps near the Merrimack and Spicket rivers
Methuen sits on the Merrimack River and is crossed by the Spicket River. Buyers should check FEMA flood zone status for any property near these waterways 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 Methuen?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Methuen address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Methuen: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Methuen.
- 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
Methuen City Hall is at 41 Pleasant St, Methuen, MA 01844. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. Main line: 978-983-8500.
- City HallMain line and website978-983-8500
- City ClerkVital records, elections, licensing978-983-8500
- AssessorProperty values and assessments978-983-8500
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment978-983-8500
- Building/Inspectional ServicesPermits and inspections978-983-8500
- PlanningZoning and development978-983-8500
- Parks & RecreationParks, programs, and facility reservations978-983-8500
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash/recycling, and infrastructure978-983-8500
- Nevins Memorial LibraryMain library
- Methuen Public SchoolsSchool district
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits978-983-8500
Methuen, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Methuen, MA?
Methuen's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $20.08. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Methuen?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,160 a year at $10.40 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Methuen have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.40 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $20.08.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Methuen?
The average single-family tax bill in Methuen was $6,037 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $580,479.
What county is Methuen in?
Methuen is in Essex County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Methuen use?
Methuen uses a single ZIP code, 01844, for the whole city.
Is there a train station in Methuen?
Methuen has no commuter rail station of its own; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail stops are in Lawrence, Bradford, and Haverhill on the Haverhill Line.
What bus service serves Methuen?
The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) operates bus routes in Methuen.
How far is Methuen from Boston?
Methuen is about 30 miles north-northwest of Boston.
Which towns border Methuen?
Methuen borders Haverhill, North Andover, Lawrence, Andover, and Dracut in Massachusetts, and Pelham and Salem, New Hampshire.
Towns near Methuen
Neighbors of Methuen, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Methuen, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Methuen official website: cityofmethuen.net
- Wikimedia Commons: Gaunt Square, Methuen MA.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: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.