Compare Municipalities

This tool allows you to compare the financial health and tax burden of different Massachusetts municipalities over time. Use the search box below to select municipalities and explore how they differ in spending priorities, revenue sources, tax rates, and budget management.

  • What does my municipality spend its money on? See the breakdown of expenditures by category and how priorities have changed over time.
  • Where does my municipality get its money from? Understand the revenue mix, including property taxes, state aid, and other sources.
  • How much does it cost to live in my municipality? Compare residential property tax rates across communities.
  • Is my municipality balancing its budget? Track budget surpluses and deficits to assess financial stability.
  • How many people live there? View population trends that affect per-capita spending and revenue needs.

Select Municipalities to Compare

Choose multiple municipalities to compare their financial profiles. Popular comparisons include similar-sized communities, neighboring towns, or places you're considering moving to.

Spending Priorities

The chart below shows what percentage of each municipality's budget goes to different spending categories. Education typically represents the largest expense for most communities. Notice how priorities can vary significantly between communities of different sizes and characteristics.

Revenue Sources

This chart breaks down how municipalities fund their operations. Property taxes usually make up the largest share, but the mix varies considerably. Communities with more commercial and industrial property typically have lower residential tax rates.

Cost of Living

Property tax rates show how much residents pay per $1,000 of their home's assessed value. These rates reflect both the community's spending levels and the strength of its tax base. A community with expensive commercial property or high property values can often maintain lower residential tax rates while still funding quality services.

Note: Rates shown include residential, commercial, industrial, personal property, and open space categories. Many communities use the same rate for all property types, while others set different rates to shift tax burden between residential and commercial properties.

Financial Health

This chart shows whether municipalities are running budget surpluses (spending less than they take in) or deficits (spending more than their revenue). Consistent deficits may indicate financial stress, while large surpluses might suggest opportunities for increased services or tax relief. Small fluctuations are normal, but dramatic swings can signal budget management challenges.

Population growth or decline affects municipal finances in multiple ways. Growing communities often face pressure to expand services and infrastructure, while shrinking communities may struggle with fixed costs spread across fewer residents. Understanding population trends helps explain changes in per-capita spending and revenue needs.

Next Steps

Want to dive deeper into a specific municipality's finances? Visit our detailed municipal profiles page to see comprehensive financial data, including historical trends, debt levels, and detailed budget breakdowns for individual communities.