How Does Milton's Tax Rate Compare With Other South Shore Towns?
A look at residential tax rates on the South Shore and nearby communities.
If your residential tax bill seems slightly increased this year, it's because it has gone up compared to 2012.
This year the Milton tax rate is $14.70 per thousand; in 2012 it was $14.35.
Milton's residential tax rate is among the highest in the South Shore towns and surrounding communities, according to a spreadsheet based on information published by the state Division of Local Services.
Average single family tax bill 2013:
Canton – $5,729
Dedham – $5,937
Duxbury – $7,947
Hingham – $7,973
Hull – $4,854
Milton – $7,471
Quincy – $4,597
Scituate – $6,056
Stoughton – $4,110
Weymouth – $3,634
Kathy Henderson
8:00 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
First of all, the new residential tax rate is $14.70 per thousand, not $16.48.
Secondly, comparing the average single family home taxes we pay vs. other towns is like comparing apples and oranges. We have an extremely low commercial base (4.2%) compared with almost all other towns in the state. Commercial properties are taxed at a higher rate than residential and demand little services in return. Therefore towns like Braintree, Quincy and the like can shift a disproportionate larger tax burden to commercial property owners from residential owners.
Additionally, while other towns may have either a private school, college or hospital which are tax exempt, in Milton we have all three. Any taxes not paid by these tax exempt institutions are paid for by all the taxable property owners.
A better comparison would be to compare Milton's spending per capita vs. these other towns. I think you will find that we are right in line with our spending. So the problem of high taxes in Milton is not in the spending, but in the ways we are limited from shifting taxes away from the single family homeowner.
Margaret Carroll-Bergman
8:15 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Thank you for pointing out the correct residential tax rate. I have changed it to $14.70 in this article.
Deanie
11:26 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
And WHY are we PAYING more and getting LESS!! EXPLAIN!!