Metro Center / Downtown
36 Court St, Springfield, MA 01103
Living in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the county seat of Hampden County, on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near where the Westfield, Chicopee and Mill rivers meet it. It was founded in 1636 by William Pynchon and incorporated as a city in 1852. Basketball was invented here in 1891, and the city was the site of the federal Springfield Armory, established by George Washington in 1777.
Springfield at a glance
- $15.46Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,254Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-45 minDrive to Hartford, CT
- HampdenCounty
Springfield's villages and zip codes
Springfield uses multiple ZIP codes by neighborhood, including 01103 downtown, 01108 for Forest Park, 01118 for Sixteen Acres and 01151 for Indian Orchard.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Center / Downtown | 01103 | The Connecticut River side of the city, home to City Hall, Symphony Hall and the Quadrangle museums. |
| Forest Park | 01108 | South of downtown, centered on the city's largest park. |
| Sixteen Acres | 01118 | A residential section in the southeastern part of the city. |
| Indian Orchard | 01151 | A former mill village in the northeastern corner of the city, along the Chicopee River. |
Things to do in Springfield, MA
Start with Springfield Museums (the Quadrangle) and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, then 3 more below.
Springfield Museums (the Quadrangle)
Five museums under one admission around a central green: the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield Science Museum, George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, and the D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts. The outdoor Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, with bronze figures including the Cat in the Hat and Lorax, sits at the center and is free to visit.
21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA
Plan a visitNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
A museum and hall of fame on the spot where basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, with exhibits, a shooting court and inductee displays.
1000 Hall of Fame Ave, Springfield, MA
Plan a visitForest Park
A 735-acre municipal park with walking paths, ponds, gardens and Victorian-era landscaping, laid out with help from the Olmsted firm. It includes the Zoo in Forest Park.
200 Trafton Rd, Springfield, MA
Plan a visitZoo in Forest Park
A small zoo inside Forest Park with more than 225 animals, including native and exotic species, plus seasonal programs.
302 Sumner Ave, Springfield, MA
Plan a visitSpringfield Armory National Historic Site
A National Park Service site on the grounds of the former federal armory, with the world's largest collection of historic American firearms on display.
1 Armory Square, Springfield, MA
Plan a visit
More worth a visit
- MassMutual CenterDowntown arena and convention center hosting concerts, hockey and trade shows.Website
- Springfield Symphony HallA downtown concert hall used for orchestral and touring performances.
A little history
William Pynchon founded Springfield in 1636 as a fur-trading settlement along the Connecticut River, making it one of the earliest English settlements in the Connecticut River Valley.
George Washington designated Springfield as the site of the Springfield Armory in 1777; the Armory produced the first American-made musket in 1794 and operated as a federal arsenal until 1968.
James Naismith invented the game of basketball at Springfield's International YMCA Training School in 1891.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Springfield
Forest Park is the city's main outdoor destination, and the Connecticut, Westfield, Chicopee and Mill rivers that meet in Springfield shape several of its parks and trails.
- Forest ParkWalking paths, ponds and gardens across 735 acres, with the Zoo in Forest Park inside it.More information
- Riverfront Park / Connecticut RiverwalkA riverside path along the Connecticut River near downtown, used for walking and running.
- Van Horn ParkA city park in the Pine Point neighborhood with a pond and walking paths.
Where to eat in Springfield: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Springfield to try, including german restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
The Student Prince Cafe & The Fort Dining Room
German restaurant
A German restaurant open since 1935 near downtown, known for its collection of beer steins and old-world dining rooms.
8 Fort St, Springfield, MA 01103 · studentprince.com
Walkability and getting around Springfield
Downtown Springfield around Court Square, the Quadrangle and MGM Springfield has sidewalks connecting museums, restaurants and municipal buildings, but most of the city's neighborhoods are built around driving, with some sections better connected than others by the PVTA bus network.
Forest Park
Sixteen Acres
Indian Orchard
Drive times
- Hartford, CT, about 25 miles35-45 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 20 miles25-30 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
PVTA operates local and express bus routes throughout Springfield, including the G73 express route to Northampton, with most routes converging at Springfield Union Station downtown. Union Station is served by Amtrak (including the Valley Flyer, which runs between New Haven, CT and Greenfield, MA) and by the Hartford Line to New Haven, plus Greyhound and Peter Pan intercity buses.
Springfield property taxes
Springfield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.46 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $34.35. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,546 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,254, on an average assessed value of $275,179.
Springfield's FY2026 tax rates
$15.46per $1,000, residential
- Residential$15.46 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$34.35 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$275,179
- Average single-family tax bill$4,254
- 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 | $18.82 |
| FY2023 | $17.05 |
| FY2024 | $16.06 |
| FY2025 | $15.68 |
| FY2026 | $15.46 |
Look up a Springfield 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
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Hampden County Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Springfield
What we check on a Springfield purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, foundations, smoke certificate, river flood zones.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampden County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Springfield sits where the Westfield, Chicopee and Mill rivers meet the Connecticut River, and low-lying parcels near all four rivers, including sections of the North End and Indian Orchard, fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SpringfieldSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Springfield Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division before the sale closes. Call 413-787-6410 to schedule.
Springfield Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division pageAsk about foundation testing
The Massachusetts Geological Survey at UMass Amherst lists Springfield among the towns most at risk from pyrrhotite, a mineral linked to crumbling concrete foundations, based on distance from the Connecticut quarry that supplied the concrete. On a home with a poured concrete foundation, ask whether it has been tested.
UMass pyrrhotite guideFire department inspection required before a sale closes
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection and certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. In Springfield this is handled by the Fire Prevention Division, which schedules inspections through the city's online scheduler.
Schedule an inspectionCheck FEMA flood maps near the city's rivers
Springfield's location at the confluence of the Connecticut, Westfield, Chicopee and Mill rivers puts some neighborhoods in FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near any of these rivers.
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 Springfield?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Springfield address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Springfield: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Springfield: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource (gas division)
- WaterSpringfield Water and Sewer Commission
- Sewer or septicSpringfield Water and Sewer Commission provides sewer service across most of the city.
- Trash and recyclingThe city provides curbside trash and recycling collection on a weekly schedule set by neighborhood; large-item pickup is scheduled through the Department of Public Works.
- 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
Springfield City Hall is at 36 Court St, Springfield, MA 01103. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM, Thursday until 6:00 PM. Main line: 413-736-3111.
- City HallMain line and website413-736-3111
- City ClerkVital records, elections and city ordinances.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments; online property records.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building / Code EnforcementBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning & Economic DevelopmentZoning, land use and planning applications.
- Parks & RecreationCity parks, Forest Park and recreation programs.
- Department of Public WorksTrash, bulk pickup, streets and infrastructure.
- Department of Health and Human ServicesIncludes the Board of Health and environmental health division for septic and well permits.413-787-6740
- Springfield City LibraryThe city's public library system.413-263-6828
- Springfield Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Springfield, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Springfield, MA?
Springfield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.46 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $34.35. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Springfield?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,184 a year at $15.46 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Springfield have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $15.46 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $34.35.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Springfield?
The average single-family tax bill in Springfield was $4,254 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $275,179.
Is trash pickup curbside in Springfield?
Yes, the city provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection, with bulk item pickup scheduled through the Department of Public Works.
Who supplies electricity in Springfield?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Springfield.
Is there a train station in Springfield?
Yes. Springfield Union Station downtown is served by Amtrak, including the Valley Flyer between New Haven, CT and Greenfield, MA, the Hartford Line, and PVTA local and express bus routes.
What is the process for a smoke detector certificate when selling a home in Springfield?
Sellers schedule an inspection with the Springfield Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division, which issues a certificate of compliance once the home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors meet Massachusetts requirements.
Towns near Springfield
Neighbors of Springfield, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Springfield, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Springfield official website: springfield-ma.gov
- Mayor Sarno and Board of Assessors Announce Recommendation for Lower Residential and CIP Tax Rates, FY2026 - City of Springfield: springfield-ma.gov
- Springfield Fire Department - Smoke Detector Installations: springfield-ma.gov
- Springfield Department of Health and Human Services - Environmental Health Division: springfield-ma.gov
- Springfield Museums (the Quadrangle): springfieldmuseums.org
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: hoophall.com
- Springfield Armory National Historic Site - National Park Service: nps.gov
- The Student Prince (restaurant) - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Springfield, MA. - Wikimedia Commons photo: 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.