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The waterwheel and reconstructed forge building at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, on the Saugus River.

Living in Saugus, Massachusetts

Saugus is a town in Essex County on the North Shore, about 9 miles northeast of Boston, incorporated in 1815. It's best known for the Saugus Iron Works, which operated from 1646 to 1668 and is preserved today as a National Historic Site, and for the commercial strip along U.S. Route 1 lined with landmark restaurants and signage. The Saugus River runs from Breakheart Reservation in the town's hilly north down to the Rumney Marsh estuary at its southern end.

Saugus CenterEast SaugusCliftondaleNorth Saugus

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Photo: Nlynch, CC BY-SA 3.0

Saugus at a glance

Saugus's villages and zip codes

All of Saugus uses ZIP code 01906.

Saugus villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Saugus Center01906The town center around Central Street, Town Hall and the historic common.
East Saugus01906The eastern part of town toward the Lynn line, near the Saugus River.
Cliftondale01906A village center in the southwestern part of town along Route 1 and Essex Street.
North Saugus01906The town's hillier northern section near Breakheart Reservation and the Lynnfield line.

Things to do in Saugus, MA

Start with Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and Breakheart Reservation, then 2 more below.

  1. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

    A National Park Service site preserving the reconstructed 17th-century iron works, in operation from 1646 to 1668 and considered the first integrated iron works in North America. The 12-acre site includes working waterwheels, forges, a rolling and slitting mill, and the historic Saugus Iron Works House.

    FreeYear-round

    244 Central St, Saugus, MA

    Plan a visit

  2. Breakheart Reservation

    A roughly 652-acre state-owned reservation shared with Wakefield, with wooded hills, two ponds and miles of trails used for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. A visitor center sits near the Pearce Lake entrance.

    FreeYear-round

    177 Forest St, Saugus, MA

    Plan a visit

  3. Prince Pizzeria

    A Route 1 restaurant open since 1961, recognizable for the small-scale Leaning Tower of Pisa replica on its roof. It also runs Giggles Comedy Club and function rooms.

    Year-round

    517 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA

    Plan a visit

  4. Kowloon Restaurant

    A large Polynesian- and Asian-themed restaurant on Route 1 that has operated since 1950, known for its Saugus-style wings and multiple themed dining rooms and lounges.

    Year-round

    948 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA

    Plan a visit

More worth a visit

  • Saugus Public LibraryThe town's public library, with local history material.Website
  • Appleton's PulpitA rock outcropping in town associated with early Saugus religious history.

A little history

Saugus Iron Works, founded in 1646 along the Saugus River, is regarded as the first integrated iron works in North America; it closed in 1668 and was reconstructed and opened as a museum and National Historic Site in the 20th century.

Saugus was incorporated as a separate town from Lynn in 1815.

In 1947, Saugus became the first town in Massachusetts to adopt the Plan E form of government.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Saugus

Breakheart Reservation gives the town's northern half wooded hills and ponds, while the Saugus River runs the length of town from Breakheart down to the Rumney Marsh salt marsh at the Revere line.

  • Breakheart ReservationState reservation shared with Wakefield with hiking and biking trails around Pearce Lake and Silver Lake.More information
  • Saugus Iron Works groundsRiverside walking paths through the National Historic Site's grounds along the Saugus River.More information
  • Rumney Marsh ReservationA tidal marsh and wildlife reservation along the Saugus-Revere line at the southern end of the Saugus River.

Where to eat in Saugus: restaurants and coffee

2 places in Saugus to try, including italian restaurant and asian and polynesian restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

Walkability and getting around Saugus

Saugus Center and the village centers such as Cliftondale have sidewalks and some walkable local shopping, but the Route 1 commercial strip and most residential neighborhoods are built around car access, so a car is the practical way to get around most of town.

Saugus Center

298 Central St, Saugus, MA 01906

Check any Saugus address

Drive times

  • Boston, about 9 miles20-30 min
  • Logan International Airport, about 10 miles20-30 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The MBTA runs several bus routes through Saugus, including the 424 (Wonderland-Salem Depot), 426/426W (Central Square, Lynn-Haymarket), 428 (Oaklandvale-Haymarket) and 430 (Appleton-Malden Center), connecting to the Blue Line at Wonderland, the Orange Line at Malden Center and Haymarket, and commuter rail at Lynn and Salem. Saugus has no train station of its own.

Saugus property taxes

Saugus's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.28. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,042 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,126, on an average assessed value of $683,849.

Saugus's FY2026 tax rates

$10.42per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$10.42 per $1,000
  • Commercial, industrial, personal property$21.28 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$683,849
  • Average single-family tax bill$7,126
  • 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.

Saugus 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$12.01
FY2023$11.26
FY2024$10.65
FY2025$10.68
FY2026$10.42

Look up a Saugus property

Buying a home in Saugus

What we check on a Saugus purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, route 1 corridor.

MassHousing

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
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

The Saugus River and the Rumney Marsh at the town's southern end, near the Revere line, put low-lying areas along the river and marsh within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Saugus
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Saugus Fire Department before the sale closes.

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. Saugus Fire Department, based at the Public Safety Building on Hamilton Street, handles these inspections.

Saugus Fire Department
Route 1 corridor

Properties along Route 1 sit in a busy commercial corridor

The U.S. Route 1 strip through Saugus is a heavily traveled commercial corridor with restaurants, retail and redevelopment activity. Homes near it may see more traffic noise than those in the town's residential village areas.

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 Saugus?

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

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

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Saugus: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Saugus: National Grid for power.

Town Hall offices and contacts

Saugus Town Hall is at 298 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906. Hours: Monday 8:30am-7pm, Tuesday-Thursday 8:15am-5pm, Friday 8:15am-12:30pm. Main line: 781-231-4101.

Saugus, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Saugus, MA?

Saugus's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.28. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

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

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,168 a year at $10.42 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Saugus have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $10.42 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.28.

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

The average single-family tax bill in Saugus was $7,126 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $683,849.

What county is Saugus, MA in?

Saugus is in Essex County, on the North Shore.

What ZIP code does Saugus use?

All of Saugus uses ZIP code 01906.

Is there a train station in Saugus?

No. Saugus has no train station of its own; MBTA bus routes connect to the Blue Line at Wonderland, the Orange Line at Malden Center and Haymarket, and commuter rail at Lynn and Salem.

How far is Saugus from Boston?

Saugus is about 9 miles from Boston, roughly a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic.

Who supplies electricity and gas in Saugus?

National Grid provides both electric and natural gas service in Saugus.

Is trash pickup curbside in Saugus?

Yes. The town provides curbside trash and recycling collection, currently run under contract by Capitol Waste Services, along with a compost site and a CHaRM facility for items not accepted curbside.

Towns near Saugus

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

Sources