Living in Orleans, Massachusetts

Orleans sits on Cape Cod's inner elbow, where the Cape bends north toward Provincetown, with the Atlantic Ocean and Nauset Beach on its east side and Cape Cod Bay and Rock Harbor on its west. It was set off from Eastham and incorporated in 1797, taking its name from Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orleans, in recognition of French support during the American Revolution. The town center sits between Town Cove and Route 28, with Pleasant Bay along its southern edge toward Chatham.

Orleans center East Orleans South Orleans

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated September 25, 2026

Orleans at a glance

$6.11Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$8,969Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
30-35 minDrive to Hyannis
BarnstableCounty

Orleans's villages and zip codes

Orleans is split among three ZIP codes: 02653 (Orleans), 02643 (East Orleans) and 02662 (South Orleans).

Orleans villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Orleans center	02653	Around the junction of Route 6A and Route 28, near Town Cove.
East Orleans	02643	East of the town center toward Nauset Beach and Nauset Harbor.
South Orleans	02662	The southern part of town along Pleasant Bay, toward the Chatham line.

Things to do in Orleans, MA

Start with Nauset Beach and Rock Harbor, then 2 more below.

Nauset Beach
A roughly 6-mile ocean beach on Orleans' east side, popular for swimming, surfing and fishing, with restrooms, showers and a snack bar. Off-road vehicle access is available with a permit.
Seasonal feeBeach
Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA
Plan a visit
Rock Harbor
A tidal harbor on Cape Cod Bay shared with neighboring Eastham, used for charter fishing boats and known for sunset views over the harbor flats.
FreeYear-round
Rock Harbor Rd, Orleans, MA
French Cable Station Museum
A museum in the former station house of the French Cable Company, which ran a transatlantic telegraph cable from Orleans to France starting in 1898.
Seasonal
41 South Orleans Rd, Orleans, MA
Eldredge Park
The town's ballfield, home to the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a summer collegiate wood-bat league.
FreeSeasonal
Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA

More worth a visit

Snow LibraryThe town's public library, near Orleans center.Website

A little history

Orleans was set off from Eastham and incorporated as its own town in 1797, named for Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orleans, honoring French support during the American Revolution.

In January 1918, a German U-boat shelled tugboats and Nauset Beach off Orleans, the only foreign attack on American soil in either World War.

In 1898 the French Cable Company landed a transatlantic telegraph cable in Orleans, operating from the French Cable Station until 1959.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Orleans

Orleans has ocean beach on one side and bay and harbor frontage on the other, with Nauset Beach, Rock Harbor and Pleasant Bay giving different kinds of water access within a few miles of the town center.

Nauset BeachA long Atlantic-facing beach with surfing, swimming and fishing.
Rock HarborA bayside tidal harbor shared with Eastham, used by charter fishing boats.
Pleasant BayA large bay along Orleans' southern border with Chatham, used for boating, kayaking and shellfishing.

Where to eat in Orleans: restaurants and coffee

1 places in Orleans to try, including restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

The Orleans Inn
Restaurant
A restaurant and inn overlooking Town Cove, between Town Cove and Route 28 in Orleans center.
Route 6A at Town Cove, Orleans, MA

Walkability and getting around Orleans

Orleans center near Town Cove has sidewalks connecting shops and Town Hall, and East Orleans village has a small walkable core near the Nauset Beach road, but most of the town, including the roads out to South Orleans and the beach, is built for driving.

Drive times

Hyannis, about 22 miles30-35 min
Cape Cod Gateway Airport (Hyannis), about 22 miles35-40 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority's FLEX bus route runs through Orleans on its way between Harwich and Provincetown, with fixed stops plus on-demand deviation service by reservation. There is no train station in Orleans; the CapeFLYER seasonal train from Boston ends at Hyannis, about 22 miles away.

Orleans property taxes

Orleans's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.11 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $611 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,969, on an average assessed value of $1,467,959.

Orleans's FY2026 tax rates

$6.11per $1,000, residential

Residential$6.11 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$1,467,959
Average single-family tax bill$8,969
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	$7.20
FY2023	$6.23
FY2024	$6.41
FY2025	$6.24
FY2026	$6.11

Look up a Orleans property

Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Orleans

What we check on a Orleans purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic systems, coastal erosion.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Barnstable County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans

Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Nauset Beach and other low-lying land along the Atlantic and Cape Cod Bay shorelines, plus areas around Town Cove, Nauset Harbor and Pleasant Bay, fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones subject to coastal erosion. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Orleans

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Orleans Fire Rescue before the sale closes. Call 508-255-0050 to schedule.

Orleans Fire Rescue page

Septic systems

Most homes are on private septic

Orleans relies mainly on private septic systems outside of downtown and parts of East Orleans, so a Title 5 septic inspection is a standard step before closing. Buyers should confirm system age and capacity early.

Coastal erosion

Check FEMA flood zones near the outer beaches

Nauset Beach and other shoreline areas face active erosion and are within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map and flood insurance requirements 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 Orleans?

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

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

Compare loan options Our process

Moving to Orleans: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Orleans: Eversource for power.

ElectricEversource
Natural gasNo natural gas service; propane is common for heating and cooking
WaterOrleans Water Department (town public water)
Sewer or septicOrleans is largely served by private septic systems; the town has been extending municipal sewer to parts of the downtown and East Orleans areas
Trash and recyclingOrleans residents bring trash and recycling to the town Transfer Station rather than having town-wide curbside pickup; a sticker or permit is required.
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

Orleans Transfer Station

40 Giddiah Hill Rd, Orleans, MA 02653 Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-3:30 PM

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Orleans Town Hall is at 19 School Rd, Orleans, MA 02653. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Main line: 508-240-3700.

Orleans, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Orleans, MA?

Orleans's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.11 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 Orleans?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,444 a year at $6.11 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Orleans have a split tax rate?

No. Orleans uses a single rate of $6.11 per $1,000 for all property classes.

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

The average single-family tax bill in Orleans was $8,969 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,467,959.

What county is Orleans, MA in?

Orleans is in Barnstable County, on Cape Cod.

What ZIP codes does Orleans use?

Orleans is split among three ZIP codes: 02653 for Orleans, 02643 for East Orleans, and 02662 for South Orleans.

Is there curbside trash pickup in Orleans?

No town-wide curbside service; residents bring trash and recycling to the Orleans Transfer Station at 40 Giddiah Hill Rd with a sticker or permit.

Who supplies electricity in Orleans?

Eversource is the electric utility.

Is there a train to Orleans?

No. The seasonal CapeFLYER train from Boston ends at Hyannis, about 22 miles away; Orleans has no station.

Is there bus service in Orleans?

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority's FLEX route runs through Orleans between Harwich and Provincetown, with fixed stops and on-demand deviation service.

Towns near Orleans

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

Sources

Orleans, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Nauset Beach - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Orleans official website: orleansma.gov
Orleans Departments listing: orleansma.gov
Orleans Public Works & Natural Resources / Transfer Station: orleansma.gov
Orleans Fire Rescue: orleansma.gov
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority FLEX route: capecodrta.org
CapeFLYER route: capeflyer.com
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.
Checked September 25, 2026.