First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Norfolk County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Millis, Massachusetts
Millis is a town in Norfolk County about 19 miles southwest of Boston, first settled in 1657 and incorporated as its own town, set off from Medway, on February 24, 1885. The Charles River runs through Millis along with smaller streams including Bogastow Brook, and the Great Black Swamp, covering hundreds of acres, geographically separates Millis from Medway.
Millis at a glance
- $15.31Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $10,230Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- NorfolkCounty
- 1885Year incorporated
Millis's zip code
Millis uses the 02054 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Millis center | 02054 |
Things to do in Millis, MA
Start with Prospect Hill Cemetery and Richardson's Tavern, then 2 more below.
Prospect Hill Cemetery
A cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the burial site of U.S. Secretary of State Christian Herter.
Millis, MA
Richardson's Tavern
A tavern building constructed around 1720 that, according to local history, hosted George Washington for lunch in 1775.
Millis, MA
Heather's Pond
A body of water created from a former clay pit, part of the town's conservation land.
Millis, MA
Great Black Swamp conservation land
A large wetland area of hundreds of acres that geographically divides Millis from neighboring Medway, part of the town's protected conservation land.
Millis, MA
A little history
Millis was first settled in 1657 as part of Medfield, and later Medway.
Lansing Millis led the successful effort to incorporate Millis as its own town, set off from Medway, on February 24, 1885.
Richardson's Tavern, built around 1720, is said to have hosted George Washington for lunch in 1775.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Millis
Millis's outdoor land centers on the Charles River, which runs through town, and on town-owned conservation land including the Great Black Swamp and Heather's Pond.
- Charles RiverThe river runs through Millis along with smaller streams and brooks, most notably Bogastow Brook.
- Great Black SwampA wetland of hundreds of acres protected as conservation land, separating Millis from Medway.
- Heather's PondA former clay pit now a pond, part of the town's conservation land.
Walkability and getting around Millis
Millis center along Main Street has some sidewalk connections near Town Hall and the village core, but most of the town's residential area is built around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 19 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Millis has no MBTA Commuter Rail station of its own. The Bay Colony Railroad operates freight track through Millis that connects with the MBTA Commuter Rail in Needham; the line formerly extended to Medway but is now mostly out of service.
Millis property taxes
Millis's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,531 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $10,230, on an average assessed value of $668,161.
Millis's FY2026 tax rates
$15.31per $1,000, residential
- Residential$15.31 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$668,161
- Average single-family tax bill$10,230
- 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 | $18.88 |
| FY2023 | $17.49 |
| FY2024 | $16.42 |
| FY2025 | $16.40 |
| FY2026 | $15.31 |
Look up a Millis property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Millis
What we check on a Millis purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, river and wetland flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
The Charles River runs through Millis, and the Great Black Swamp covers hundreds of acres in town; low-lying parcels near the river and swamp can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for MillisSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Millis Fire Department before the sale closes.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Contact the Millis Fire Department to schedule the required inspection.
Town of MillisCheck FEMA flood maps near the Charles River and Great Black Swamp
Parts of Millis near the Charles River and the Great Black Swamp fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near either feature.
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 Millis?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Millis address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Millis: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Millis.
- 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 Hall offices and contacts
Millis Town Hall is at 900 Main Street, Millis, MA 02054. Main line: 508-376-7040.
Millis, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Millis, MA?
Millis's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.31 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 Millis?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,124 a year at $15.31 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Millis have a split tax rate?
No. Millis uses a single rate of $15.31 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Millis?
The average single-family tax bill in Millis was $10,230 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $668,161.
What county is Millis in?
Millis is in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Millis use?
Millis uses ZIP code 02054.
How far is Millis from Boston?
Millis is about 19 miles southwest of Boston.
Is there commuter rail service in Millis?
No. Millis has no MBTA Commuter Rail station; the Bay Colony Railroad's freight track through town connects to the MBTA Commuter Rail in Needham.
When was Millis incorporated?
Millis was incorporated as its own town, set off from Medway, on February 24, 1885.
Towns near Millis
Neighbors of Millis, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Millis, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Norfolk County, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Millis official website: millisma.gov
- Veterans Memorial Building, Millis 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.