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State Municipal Index • MA
Massachusetts Property Tax Drift Index
State Avg Drift Score
59/100
Massachusetts Municipal Risk Briefing
State Comptroller & US Census Bureau (MA)August 2026
Massachusetts maintains an average TaxDrift Score of 59/100 across monitored jurisdictions. Overlapping municipal bond issuances and assessment equalization rollbacks determine local millage carrying costs under statutory rules.
Population
7,001,399
Avg Effective Tax Rate
1.1%
Total Tracked Muni Debt
$19.1B
Counties Monitored
2
Statutory Tax Caps & Voter-Approval Rules (MA)
Proposition 2 1/2 caps municipal property tax levy increases at 2.5% plus new construction growth.
Audited Counties in Massachusetts
Massachusetts County Tax Drift Leaderboard
2 Jurisdictions Audited| Rank | Jurisdiction | Drift Score | Risk Tier | Muni Debt / Cap | CAD Lag Spread | 3-Yr Tax Shock | Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Suffolk County, MA | 67.4 | Elevated | $9,200 | +23.5% | +$167,490/yr | View |
| #2 | Middlesex County, MA | 49.9 | Moderate | $7,400 | +19.8% | +$2,127/yr | View |