First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Suffolk County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Winthrop, Massachusetts
Winthrop sits on a peninsula on Boston's north shore, connected to Revere by a narrow isthmus and facing the Boston skyline across the harbor. Settled in 1630 as part of Boston and named for Governor John Winthrop, it became its own town in 1852. Most of its 8.3 square miles is water, and the town has about seven miles of shoreline, including Winthrop Beach along Massachusetts Bay.
Winthrop at a glance
- $11.14Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,293Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Boston
- SuffolkCounty
Winthrop's villages and zip codes
Winthrop uses a single ZIP code, 02152, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Winthrop Center | 02152 | Around Metcalf Square and Town Hall, the town's municipal and commercial core. |
| Point Shirley | 02152 | A narrow spit of land at the town's easternmost tip, facing Deer Island and the outer harbor. |
| Cottage Park | 02152 | A shoreline neighborhood on the harbor side of town. |
| Winthrop Highlands | 02152 | The higher ground toward the Revere line. |
Things to do in Winthrop, MA
Start with Winthrop Beach and Yirrell Beach, then 2 more below.
Winthrop Beach
A public beach along Massachusetts Bay managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, with a boardwalk and views toward Boston Light. It runs along much of the town's eastern shoreline.
Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA
Yirrell Beach
A smaller town beach near Cottage Park, popular for swimming and walking.
Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA
Point Shirley
A residential spit at the town's tip with water views toward Deer Island and the Boston Harbor Islands.
Point Shirley, Winthrop, MA
Larsen Memorial Rink
The town's ice rink, used for public skating and youth hockey.
Winthrop, MA
More worth a visit
- Winthrop Golf CourseA private 9-hole course in town.
A little history
The peninsula was known as Pullen Point when settled in 1630 as part of Boston; it was renamed for Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop and incorporated as its own town in 1852.
Winthrop residents took part in the 1775 Battle of Chelsea Creek, an early engagement of the American Revolution fought in the waters and marshes around the town.
The town adopted a council-manager charter in 2006 that made it a city under state law, though it continues to call itself a town.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Winthrop
Winthrop's outdoor life centers on its shoreline, from the boardwalk at Winthrop Beach to the quieter tip of Point Shirley.
- Winthrop BeachState-managed beach and boardwalk along Massachusetts Bay.
- Yirrell BeachTown beach near Cottage Park.
- Belle Isle Marsh ReservationA salt marsh reservation on the Winthrop-East Boston line, with trails and birdwatching.
Walkability and getting around Winthrop
Winthrop Center and the shoreline neighborhoods have sidewalks and a walkable beach boardwalk, but the town's narrow, hilly streets and its distance from rapid transit mean most residents drive or take the bus for errands outside the center.
Drive times
- Boston, about 6 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 3 miles10-15 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Winthrop has no MBTA subway or commuter rail station of its own; Paul Revere Transportation and MBTA bus routes connect the town to the Blue Line at Orient Heights and Wonderland in neighboring East Boston and Revere. A seasonal ferry has connected Winthrop to Logan Airport and downtown Boston.
Winthrop property taxes
Winthrop's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.14 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,114 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,293, on an average assessed value of $744,423.
Winthrop's FY2026 tax rates
$11.14per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.14 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$744,423
- Average single-family tax bill$8,293
- 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 | $11.76 |
| FY2023 | $10.70 |
| FY2024 | $10.42 |
| FY2025 | $10.32 |
| FY2026 | $11.14 |
Look up a Winthrop property
- 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 Winthrop
What we check on a Winthrop purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zone, smoke/co certificate.
Check the flood zone first
Winthrop is a peninsula with roughly seven miles of shoreline on Massachusetts Bay and Boston Harbor; low-lying areas along Winthrop Beach, Point Shirley and the harbor side fall within FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WinthropSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Winthrop Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 617-846-3474 to schedule.
Winthrop Fire Department pageMuch of the shoreline sits in a FEMA flood zone
Winthrop's beaches and low-lying points are mapped coastal flood zones. We check the flood map and flood insurance requirements before you make an offer on a property near the water.
Sellers need a fire department inspection before closing
Massachusetts requires a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the local fire department before most home sales close. In Winthrop that inspection is scheduled through the Fire Department.
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 Winthrop?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Winthrop address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Winthrop: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Winthrop: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource (gas division)
- WaterMassachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), via the town
- Sewer or septicTown sewer service; MWRA regional system
- 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
Town Hall offices and contacts
Winthrop Town Hall is at 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152. Hours: Monday & Wednesday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 AM-7:00 PM. Main line: 617-846-1852.
- Town HallMain line and website617-846-1852
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing.
- Assessing DepartmentProperty values and assessments.
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning & ZoningZoning and land use.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, permits and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.617-846-3474
- Board of HealthPublic health, including Title 5 septic and well matters.617-846-1740
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.
- Public WorksRoads, trash/recycling and infrastructure.
- Winthrop Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Winthrop Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Winthrop, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Winthrop, MA?
Winthrop's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.14 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 Winthrop?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,456 a year at $11.14 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Winthrop have a split tax rate?
No. Winthrop uses a single rate of $11.14 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Winthrop?
The average single-family tax bill in Winthrop was $8,293 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $744,423.
What ZIP code does Winthrop use?
Winthrop uses a single ZIP code, 02152, for the whole town.
How far is Winthrop from Boston?
Winthrop is about 6 miles from downtown Boston, roughly a 15-20 minute drive, and about 3 miles from Logan International Airport.
Is there a train station in Winthrop?
No. Winthrop has no subway or commuter rail station; MBTA buses connect to the Blue Line in neighboring East Boston and Revere, and a seasonal ferry has run to Logan Airport and downtown Boston.
Which towns border Winthrop?
Winthrop borders Revere to the north and Boston (East Boston) to the west and southeast.
Who handles the smoke and CO certificate for a home sale?
The Winthrop Fire Department handles smoke detector and carbon monoxide certificate inspections required before most home sales close.
Towns near Winthrop
Neighbors of Winthrop, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Winthrop, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Winthrop official website: winthropma.gov
- Winthrop Fire Department: winthropma.gov
- Winthrop Board of Health: winthropma.gov
- Winthrop, MA aerial 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: Sean 2015, English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.