Watertown Square
123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472
Living in Watertown, Massachusetts
Watertown is a city in Middlesex County along the Charles River, bordering Boston's Brighton neighborhood, Cambridge, Belmont, Newton and Waltham. Settled by Puritan colonists in 1630, it was one of the first Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements and voted in November 2021 to formally change its name to "The City of Watertown," reflecting its council-manager city government. The Charles River forms part of the city's southern border.
Watertown at a glance
- $12.20Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,094Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-25 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Watertown's zip code
Watertown uses ZIP code 02472.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Watertown Square | 02472 | The city's commercial and civic center along Main Street, near the Charles River, home to the Watertown Free Public Library. |
Things to do in Watertown, MA
Start with Mount Auburn Cemetery and Arsenal Yards and the former Watertown Arsenal, then 3 more below.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Founded in 1831 as the first garden cemetery in the United States, with 151 acres of landscaped grounds used for walking.
Watertown, MA
Arsenal Yards and the former Watertown Arsenal
The former Watertown Arsenal, a military site from 1816 to 1995, has been redeveloped into a shopping, dining and arts district, including the Mosesian Center for the Arts.
Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA
Perkins School for the Blind
A historic educational institution in Watertown whose past students include Helen Keller.
Watertown, MA
Armenian Library and Museum of America
A museum in the former Coolidge Bank building on Main Street, with collections on Armenian history and culture.
65 Main St, Watertown, MA
Watertown Free Public Library
The city's public library, in a renovated and expanded building on Main Street.
123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472
More worth a visit
- Edmund Fowle House and Abraham Browne HouseColonial-era house museums in Watertown.
A little history
Watertown was one of the first Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements, organized by Puritan settlers in 1630.
A 1632 dispute over a tax assessment in Watertown is cited as an early protest against taxation without representation, contributing to the development of representative government in the colony.
In April 1775, about 134 Watertown minutemen responded to the alarm from Lexington to confront British soldiers.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Watertown
The Charles River forms Watertown's southern border, and Mount Auburn Cemetery offers 151 acres of landscaped grounds.
- Mount Auburn CemeteryA 151-acre landscaped garden cemetery, the first of its kind in the United States, used for walking.
- Charles RiverThe river runs along Watertown's southern border, with an annual spring alewife and blueback herring migration.
Walkability and getting around Watertown
Watertown Square and the Arsenal Yards area have sidewalks and a walkable mix of shops, dining and the library, and the Charles River path adds a car-free route along the water, but neighborhoods farther from the square are more car-dependent.
Drive times
- Boston, about 6 miles15-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 10 miles25-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA bus routes serve Watertown Square and Watertown Yard as hubs; the city has no active rail station of its own since the former Green Line A branch stopped operating in 1969. Soldiers Field Road and the Massachusetts Turnpike provide direct road access into downtown Boston.
Watertown property taxes
Watertown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.47. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,220 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,094, on an average assessed value of $663,449.
Watertown's FY2026 tax rates
$12.20per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.20 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$23.47 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$663,449
- Average single-family tax bill$8,094
- 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 | $13.25 |
| FY2023 | $13.58 |
| FY2024 | $11.70 |
| FY2025 | $11.68 |
| FY2026 | $12.20 |
Look up a Watertown property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Watertown
What we check on a Watertown purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co 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 Charles River forms Watertown's southern border, and nearby low-lying parcels along the river can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WatertownSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Watertown Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 617-972-6512 to schedule.
Watertown Fire Department pageMassachusetts 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. Watertown's Fire Department, at 617-972-6512, handles the required inspection.
Watertown Fire DepartmentAll 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 Watertown?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Watertown address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Watertown: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Watertown: Eversource, with a Watertown Electricity Choice group-purchasing program for supply for power.
- ElectricEversource, with a Watertown Electricity Choice group-purchasing program for supply
- Natural gasNational Grid
- Trash and recyclingWatertown's curbside trash and recycling collection is handled by Republic Services, with city-issued black trash containers picked up weekly and green recycling containers picked up every other week on the same day. The city also offers free weekly curbside collection of food scraps and other organics, and pay-per-item scheduled pickup for bulky items and large appliances through Republic Services.
- 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
Watertown City Hall.
Watertown, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Watertown, MA?
Watertown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.47. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Watertown?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,880 a year at $12.20 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Watertown have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $12.20 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.47.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Watertown?
The average single-family tax bill in Watertown was $8,094 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $663,449.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Watertown?
Watertown uses curbside collection through Republic Services, with weekly trash and every-other-week recycling in city-issued containers. Bulky items and appliances are scheduled and paid for separately through Republic Services.
Who supplies electricity and natural gas in Watertown?
Eversource is the electric utility, and the city also runs a Watertown Electricity Choice group-purchasing program. National Grid supplies natural gas.
What ZIP code does Watertown use?
Watertown uses ZIP code 02472.
Is there commuter rail service in Watertown?
Watertown does not currently have an active passenger rail station; the former Green Line A branch through Watertown stopped operating in 1969. MBTA buses serve Watertown Square and Watertown Yard.
Is Watertown a city or a town?
Watertown has a council-manager city government, and in November 2021 residents voted to formally rename it "The City of Watertown."
Towns near Watertown
Neighbors of Watertown, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Watertown, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Watertown official website: watertown-ma.gov
- Fire Department - Watertown, MA: watertown-ma.gov
- Main Street Watertown 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: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.