By Lisa Sevajian, Realtor · Last updated October 14, 2026 · 7 min read

Andover MA Schools and Property Taxes: What Will You Really Pay in 2026?

Everyone talks about the price of living in Andover MA. Nobody talks about this tradeoff.

Here's the tradeoff. You're paying for schools with a strong record. You're also buying into a town that hasn't settled what to do with its high school building.

If you feel excited about Andover MA and a little worried about the bill, you aren't alone. Most families I sit with feel both.

So let's put the numbers side by side. Every figure below comes from the town or the state. Where something isn't decided, I'll tell you.

Strong schools are worth paying for. Just know which bills are still coming.

What's the property tax rate in Andover MA?

The FY2026 home tax rate in Andover MA is $12.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. The town posts it on its assessor page.

Assessed value is the value the town puts on your home for taxes. It isn't the price you pay. To estimate your bill, divide the assessed value by 1,000. Then multiply by 12.31.

That's about $1,231 a year for each $100,000 of assessed value. You can check any house you like in a few seconds.

What's the average tax bill in Andover MA?

The average single family bill in FY2026 is $13,176.

That's on an average value of $1,070,385, per the state's average single family tax bill report. Your own bill depends on the value of the house you pick.

The rate has come down each year. It was $12.88 in FY2024, $12.49 in FY2025 and $12.31 in FY2026. Values kept rising, so the average bill still went up, from $12,819 to $13,176.

Does Andover MA charge businesses a higher rate?

Yes. Businesses pay $24.18 per $1,000, and you pay $12.31 on your home.

That's called a split rate. It moves part of the tax load from homes onto businesses. It's one reason your home rate isn't higher than it is. If you own a small business here, you'll see the higher rate on that bill.

What's happening with the high school building in Andover MA?

Nothing is decided yet. The town is starting over and asking families like yours what you want.

In November 2023, a Special Town Meeting said no to $1.3 million to keep designing a new high school. That plan was estimated at about $450 million, with no state help. The vote was 1,139 to 541 against. Voters did approve $500,000 to study a smaller fix.

In March 2026, the Select Board backed a $3.85 million plan for new furniture and safety upgrades. It uses money left over from other projects, with no tax increase.

In August 2026, the School Committee voted to work toward a possible request for state building aid in April 2027. That request is called a statement of interest. It's the first step to get state help, and it doesn't promise any money.

Here's what that means for you. A new or renovated high school would likely show up in your tax bill someday. Nobody knows the number yet.

How do Andover MA schools compare on graduation and spending?

The class of 2025 graduated at 98.1 percent.

That's from the state's graduation rate report. The district spent $24,441.06 per student in FY2024, the newest year the state has posted.

Spending tells you about budgets, not teaching. Still, if you want to know where your tax dollars go, this is a fair place for you to start. You can also ask the school what it spends on the programs your kids care about.

How do I check Andover MA test scores?

Use the state's free school and district profiles site.

MCAS is the state test that kids take in grades 3 to 8 and grade 10. Search for Andover MA, open the test results, and look at the share of students who met or beat expectations. Then click into the exact school your house would use.

Scores track closely with family income. So they tell you about a town's families as much as its teaching. Visit the school before you decide. Ask yourself if your kids would feel at home there.

Is Andover MA worth the higher tax bill?

For a lot of families, yes. You just want to go in with your eyes open, so your budget can handle what's ahead.

I've made the schools or the house choice twice. Once I bought in the school district I wanted. Once I bought the house I loved over a lower ranked school. Both times, I wish I'd weighed it more carefully. That's why I slow families down now.

If you're torn between Andover MA and North Andover MA, compare the real bill on two real houses. Then add a line in your budget for the high school question.

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.

I'll guide you home.

Lisa Sevajian