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 Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small city on the south bank of the Merrimack River where it meets the Atlantic, bordered by Newbury, West Newbury, Amesbury and Salisbury. It separated from Newbury and was incorporated as its own town in 1764, becoming a city in 1851. A shipbuilding and whaling port in the 18th and 19th centuries, its downtown of brick commercial blocks and federal-style houses was preserved rather than demolished during a 1970s urban renewal push.
Newburyport at a glance
- $9.26Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $10,249Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 45-60 minDrive to Boston
- EssexCounty
Newburyport's villages and zip codes
Newburyport uses ZIP code 01950 citywide.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 01950 | The brick commercial district around Market Square and State Street, along the Merrimack River waterfront. |
| South End | 01950 | A residential neighborhood south of downtown. |
| Joppa | 01950 | A historic waterfront neighborhood along the Merrimack, once home to fishing families. |
| Plum Island | 01950 | A barrier island section of the city on the Atlantic, shared with the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. |
Things to do in Newburyport, MA
Start with Market Square Historic District and Cushing House Museum & Garden, then 2 more below.
Market Square Historic District
The city's downtown core of federal- and Victorian-era brick commercial buildings, now filled with shops and restaurants near the waterfront.
Market Square, Newburyport, MA
Cushing House Museum & Garden
A federal-period house museum maintained by the Historical Society of Old Newbury, with period rooms and a garden.
Newburyport, MA
Maudslay State Park
A state park along the Merrimack River with woodland trails, former estate gardens, and river views.
Newburyport, MA
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
A federal wildlife refuge covering most of Plum Island, with beach access, dunes and birdwatching trails.
Plum Island, Newburyport, MA
Around the calendar
- AugustYankee HomecomingAn annual weeklong community festival, established in 1957 and considered the second-oldest homecoming festival in the country.
- SummerWaterfront Concert SeriesOutdoor concerts held along the Newburyport waterfront.
A little history
Newburyport separated from Newbury and was incorporated as its own town in 1764, with about 2,800 residents in 357 homes at the time; it became a city in 1851.
The city was a major shipbuilding and whaling port through the 18th and 19th centuries, built on the Merrimack River's deep water access to the Atlantic.
A 1970s urban renewal plan proposed demolishing much of downtown; preservation efforts instead restored its brick commercial blocks, which now anchor the historic district.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Newburyport
The Merrimack River waterfront, Plum Island's beaches and refuge, and Maudslay State Park give Newburyport a range of outdoor options from urban riverfront to barrier-island dunes.
- Parker River National Wildlife RefugeBeach, dune and marsh trails on Plum Island.
- Maudslay State ParkRiverside woodland trails on a former estate.
- Newburyport waterfrontA public boardwalk and park along the Merrimack River downtown.
Walkability and getting around Newburyport
Downtown Newburyport, with Market Square and State Street, is compact and walkable with shops and restaurants close together, but Plum Island and the outlying residential neighborhoods require a car.
Drive times
- Boston, about 35 miles45-60 min
- Logan International Airport, about 40 miles50-65 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line terminates in Newburyport, with direct service to Boston's North Station.
Newburyport property taxes
Newburyport's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.26 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $926 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $10,249, on an average assessed value of $1,106,755.
Newburyport's FY2026 tax rates
$9.26per $1,000, residential
- Residential$9.26 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,106,755
- Average single-family tax bill$10,249
- 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 | $12.01 |
| FY2023 | $10.74 |
| FY2024 | $9.97 |
| FY2025 | $9.58 |
| FY2026 | $9.26 |
Look up a Newburyport property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Newburyport
What we check on a Newburyport purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zone.
Check the flood zone first
Newburyport's Merrimack River waterfront and Plum Island barrier-beach areas fall within FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for NewburyportSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Newburyport Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-465-4427 to schedule.
Newburyport Fire Department pageCheck FEMA flood maps near the river and Plum Island
Low-lying waterfront parcels along the Merrimack River and on Plum Island fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer near the water.
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 Newburyport?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Newburyport address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Newburyport: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Newburyport: National Grid delivers electricity; the city also runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program for electricity supply for power.
- ElectricNational Grid delivers electricity; the city also runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program for electricity supply
- Trash and recyclingThe city contracts with G. Mello Disposal Corp. for curbside trash and recycling collection.
- 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
Newburyport City Hall is at 60 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA 01950. Main line: 978-465-4413.
- City HallMain line and website978-465-4413
- Mayor's OfficeCity administration.978-465-4413
- Health DepartmentSeptic (Title 5), wells and public health.978-499-0413
- Board of HealthPublic health regulation and permitting.978-499-0413
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.978-465-4427
- Recycling, Energy & Sustainability DepartmentTrash and recycling program administration.978-499-0413
- Newburyport Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Newburyport, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Newburyport, MA?
Newburyport's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.26 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 Newburyport?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,704 a year at $9.26 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Newburyport have a split tax rate?
No. Newburyport uses a single rate of $9.26 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Newburyport?
The average single-family tax bill in Newburyport was $10,249 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,106,755.
What county is Newburyport, MA in?
Newburyport is in Essex County.
What ZIP code does Newburyport use?
Newburyport uses ZIP code 01950 citywide.
Is there a train station in Newburyport?
Yes. The MBTA Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line terminates in Newburyport with direct service to Boston's North Station.
Who supplies electricity in Newburyport?
National Grid delivers electricity; the city also runs its own Community Choice Power Supply Program for electricity supply.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Newburyport?
Yes. The city contracts with G. Mello Disposal Corp. for curbside trash and recycling.
How far is Newburyport from Boston?
Newburyport is about 35 miles from Boston, roughly a 45-60 minute drive.
Towns near Newburyport
Neighbors of Newburyport, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Newburyport, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Newburyport official website: cityofnewburyport.com
- Fire Department - City of Newburyport: newburyportfire.com
- Board of Health - City of Newburyport: cityofnewburyport.com
- City of Newburyport Community Choice Power Supply Program: cityofnewburyport.com
- Newburyport, 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.