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The Main Post Office in Milton, Massachusetts.

Living in Milton, Massachusetts

Milton is a town in Norfolk County directly south of Boston, bounded by the Neponset River to the north and the Blue Hills to the south. Incorporated in 1662, it was the site of one of the earliest mills in the United States, Israel Stoughton's grist mill on the Neponset River in 1634, and of an 1774 signing of the Suffolk Resolves, an early declaration of colonial opposition to British rule. The MBTA Mattapan Line, a trolley extension of the Red Line, has four stops in Milton.

Milton centerEast Milton

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Photo: Jameslwoodward, CC BY-SA 3.0

Milton at a glance

Milton's villages and zip codes

Milton uses ZIP code 02186 for most of the town, with 02187 as a PO box ZIP code.

Milton villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Milton center02186The area around Town Hall on Canton Avenue, near the Blue Hills.
East Milton02186The eastern section of town near the Neponset River and the Southeast Expressway.

Things to do in Milton, MA

Start with Blue Hills Reservation and Blue Hills Trailside Museum, then 2 more below.

  1. Blue Hills Reservation

    A 7,000-acre state reservation with its highest point, Great Blue Hill, in Milton. The park offers hiking and mountain biking trails, seasonal skiing at the Blue Hills Ski Area from December through March, and the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, the oldest continuously operating weather station in the United States, founded in 1885.

    FreeYear-round

    695 Hillside Street, Milton, MA

  2. Blue Hills Trailside Museum

    A nature museum and small zoo at the base of the Blue Hills, run by Mass Audubon.

    Year-round

    1904 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA

  3. Milton Academy

    A private preparatory school with a campus in Milton center.

    Year-round

    170 Centre Street, Milton, MA

  4. Granite Railway

    The site of the 1826 Granite Railway, one of the first commercial railroads in the United States, built to haul granite from Quincy quarries; a portion of its route runs through Milton.

    FreeYear-round

    Milton, MA

More worth a visit

  • Curry CollegeA private college with a campus in Milton.

A little history

Milton was incorporated as a town in 1662.

Israel Stoughton built a grist mill on the Neponset River in Milton in 1634, among the earliest mills in the United States.

The Suffolk Resolves, an early declaration of colonial opposition to Britain's Coercive Acts, were signed in Milton in 1774.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Milton

Milton's outdoor recreation centers on the Blue Hills Reservation along its southern border, with hiking, mountain biking and seasonal skiing.

  • Blue Hills Reservation7,000 acres with hiking and mountain biking trails and a seasonal ski area.
  • Blue Hills Trailside MuseumA Mass Audubon nature museum and small zoo at the base of the Blue Hills.

Walkability and getting around Milton

Milton center and East Milton have sidewalks connecting local businesses, but much of the town, including neighborhoods near the Blue Hills, is built around driving.

Milton center

525 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186

East Milton

Check any Milton address

Drive times

  • Boston, about 8 miles15-25 min
  • Logan International Airport, about 12 miles20-30 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The MBTA Mattapan Line, a trolley extension of the Red Line, has four stops in Milton, connecting to the Red Line at Mattapan. Massachusetts Routes 28 and 138 and Interstate 93 pass through or near town.

Milton property taxes

Milton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.81 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.12. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,181 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $12,769, on an average assessed value of $1,081,191.

Milton's FY2026 tax rates

$11.81per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$11.81 per $1,000
  • Commercial, industrial, personal property$18.12 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$1,081,191
  • Average single-family tax bill$12,769
  • 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.

Milton property tax calculator

$
Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$12.47
FY2023$11.40
FY2024$10.92
FY2025$11.09
FY2026$11.81

Look up a Milton property

Buying a home in Milton

What we check on a Milton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, neponset river flood zone.

MassHousing

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
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

The Neponset River forms Milton's northern boundary, 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 Milton
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Milton Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 617-898-4901 to schedule.

Milton Fire Department page
Smoke & CO certificate

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 Milton Fire Department to schedule the inspection.

Milton Fire Department
Neponset River flood zone

Check FEMA flood maps near the Neponset River

Parts of Milton along the Neponset River, which forms the town's northern boundary, fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the river.

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Milton?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Milton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Milton: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Milton.

Town Hall offices and contacts

Milton Town Hall is at 525 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 8am-1:30pm. Main line: 617-898-4800.

Milton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Milton, MA?

Milton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.81 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.12. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Milton?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,724 a year at $11.81 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Milton have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $11.81 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.12.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Milton?

The average single-family tax bill in Milton was $12,769 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,081,191.

Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Milton?

Milton uses curbside collection under a pay-as-you-throw system, requiring residents to buy trash stickers or bags. The town also runs a Milton Recycling Center for drop-off materials.

Is there a train from Milton to Boston?

Yes. The MBTA Mattapan Line, a trolley extension of the Red Line, has four stops in Milton, connecting to the Red Line at Mattapan station.

What ZIP code does Milton use?

Milton uses ZIP code 02186 for most addresses.

How far is Milton from Boston?

Milton is about 8 miles south of downtown Boston.

What is the Blue Hills Reservation?

A 7,000-acre state park bordering Milton to the south, with hiking and mountain biking trails, a seasonal ski area, and the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, the oldest continuously operating weather station in the United States.

Towns near Milton

Neighbors of Milton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources