Davis Square
Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144
Living in Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County directly northwest of Boston, incorporated as its own town in 1842 after separating from Charlestown, and as a city in 1872. At about 4.1 square miles it is one of the most densely built municipalities in New England, organized around a series of commercial squares, including Davis Square, Union Square, Ball Square and Assembly Row.
Somerville at a glance
- $10.98Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,376Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10-20 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Somerville's villages and zip codes
Somerville uses ZIP codes 02143, 02144 and 02145.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Davis Square | 02144 | A commercial square in West Somerville around the MBTA Red Line's Davis station, reached in 1984. |
| Union Square | 02143 | A commercial square in the southeastern part of the city, near the Somerville/Cambridge line. |
| East Somerville | 02145 | The city's easternmost neighborhood, bordering Charlestown and Sullivan Square in Boston. |
| Assembly Square | 02145 | A riverfront neighborhood along the Mystic River, redeveloped into the Assembly Row shopping and residential district around its own MBTA Orange Line station. |
| Winter Hill | 02145 | A neighborhood on the city's north side, along Broadway near Somerville Hospital. |
Things to do in Somerville, MA
Start with Assembly Row and Davis Square, then 2 more below.
Assembly Row
A 45-acre mixed-use development along the Mystic River in Assembly Square, with shops, restaurants, a 12-screen cinema and a waterfront park, built on a former industrial site and opened starting in 2014.
Assembly Row, Somerville, MA
Davis Square
A commercial square in West Somerville with shops, restaurants and the Somerville Theatre, anchored by the MBTA Red Line station.
Davis Square, Somerville, MA
Prospect Hill Park
A hilltop park a few blocks from Union Square with the Prospect Hill Monument, a castle-style tower dedicated in 1903 that marks the site of Revolutionary War fortifications and the disputed first raising of the Continental Union Flag on January 1, 1776.
Prospect Hill Park, Somerville, MA
Somerville Community Path
A paved rail trail connecting several of Somerville's squares, used for walking and biking, extended alongside the Green Line Extension.
Somerville, MA
A little history
In 1774, British troops removed gunpowder stored on Somerville's Powder House Hill, an event known as the Powder Alarm that helped escalate tensions before the Revolutionary War.
Somerville separated from Charlestown and was incorporated as its own town in 1842, becoming a city in 1872.
Ford Motor Company built an automobile assembly plant in Assembly Square in 1926; the site was later redeveloped into the Assembly Row shopping and residential district.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Somerville
Somerville is dense with little open land, so its outdoor space is concentrated in the Somerville Community Path, small squares and parks, and the Mystic River waterfront near Assembly Row.
- Somerville Community PathA paved rail trail linking several city squares for walking and biking.
- Prospect Hill ParkA small hilltop park with the Prospect Hill Monument and views over the city.
- Assembly Row waterfront parkA revitalized park and marina along the Mystic River next to the Assembly Row development.
Where to eat in Somerville: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Somerville to try, including restaurant and bar and mediterranean restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Highland Kitchen
Restaurant and bar
A neighborhood restaurant and bar near Union Square serving Southern-inspired food since 2007, with a jukebox and no reservations.
150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143 · highlandkitchen.com
Sarma
Mediterranean restaurant
A Mediterranean small-plates restaurant and bar modeled on Turkish meyhanes, led by chef Cassie Piuma.
249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA 02145 · sarmarestaurant.com
Walkability and getting around Somerville
Somerville's squares, especially Davis, Union and Ball Square, are dense and walkable, and the Somerville Community Path links several of them, making much of the city workable without a car.
Union Square
Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
East Somerville
Assembly Square
Drive times
- Boston, about 3 miles10-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 6 miles15-25 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Red Line stops at Davis Square, and the Green Line Extension, completed in 2022, added stations at Union Square, East Somerville, Gilman Square, Magoun Square and Ball Square/Tufts. The Orange Line's Assembly station serves Assembly Row. Multiple MBTA bus routes also cross the city.
Somerville property taxes
Somerville's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.98 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.94. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,098 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,376, on an average assessed value of $853,939.
Somerville's FY2026 tax rates
$10.98per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.98 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$18.94 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$853,939
- Average single-family tax bill$9,376
- 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 | $10.18 |
| FY2023 | $10.34 |
| FY2024 | $10.52 |
| FY2025 | $10.91 |
| FY2026 | $10.98 |
Look up a Somerville property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Somerville
What we check on a Somerville purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Mystic River and Alewife Brook border Somerville to the north and west, and low-lying areas near Assembly Square and along the Mystic can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SomervilleSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Somerville Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 617-623-1700 ext. 8101 to schedule.
Somerville Fire Department pageAll 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 Somerville?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Somerville address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Somerville: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Somerville: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource
- WaterCity of Somerville, supplied through the MWRA system
- Sewer or septicCity of Somerville sewer system, connected to the MWRA
- Trash and recyclingSomerville provides curbside trash and recycling collection to residential properties; check the city's Recycling and Trash page for cart and schedule details by address.
- 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
Somerville City Hall is at 93 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Thursday 8:30 am-7:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Main line: 617-625-6600.
- City HallMain line and website617-625-6600
- City ClerkVital records and city council records.617-625-6600 ext. 4100
- Assessing DepartmentProperty values and assessments, with an online property database.617-625-6600 ext. 3100
- Somerville Fire DepartmentFire prevention, permits and inspections.617-623-1700 ext. 8101
- Health and Human Services DepartmentPublic health services and permits.617-625-6600 ext. 4300
- Somerville Public LibraryThe city's public library.
- Somerville Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Somerville, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Somerville, MA?
Somerville's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.98 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.94. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Somerville?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,392 a year at $10.98 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Somerville have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.98 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $18.94.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Somerville?
The average single-family tax bill in Somerville was $9,376 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $853,939.
What ZIP codes does Somerville, MA use?
Somerville uses ZIP codes 02143, 02144 and 02145.
Is trash pickup curbside in Somerville?
Yes, Somerville provides curbside trash and recycling collection to residential properties.
Who supplies electricity and gas in Somerville?
Eversource provides both electric and natural gas service in Somerville.
Is there a subway in Somerville?
Yes. The Red Line serves Davis Square, the Green Line Extension added stops at Union Square, East Somerville, Gilman Square, Magoun Square and Ball Square/Tufts, and the Orange Line's Assembly station serves Assembly Row.
How far is Somerville from Boston?
Somerville sits directly northwest of Boston, about 3 miles from downtown and roughly a 10-20 minute drive or transit ride.
Towns near Somerville
Neighbors of Somerville, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Somerville, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Assembly Row - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Prospect Hill (Somerville, Massachusetts) - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Somerville official website: somervillema.gov
- Somerville Fire Department: somervillema.gov
- Somerville Health and Human Services: somervillema.gov
- Highland Kitchen official site: highlandkitchen.com
- Sarma official site: sarmarestaurant.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.