By Lisa Sevajian, Realtor · Last updated October 11, 2026 · 7 min read

Haverhill MA Schools and Property Taxes: What Should You Know Before You Buy in 2026?

Thinking about Haverhill MA? Start with the part no listing can show you.

A listing shows you the kitchen and the yard. It won't show you the tax bill, or the school plans the city is still sorting out.

If you feel unsure about schools and taxes in Haverhill MA, you aren't alone. Most buyers I meet feel the same way. They love the house, then worry about what comes after.

So here's the part no listing shows you. Every number below comes from the city or the state. Where a number isn't settled, I'll say so.

The house is the part you can see. The tax bill is the part you live with.

What's the property tax rate in Haverhill MA?

The FY2026 home tax rate in Haverhill MA is $10.61 per $1,000 of assessed value. The city posts it on its tax collector page.

Assessed value is the value the city 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 10.61.

That works out to about $1,061 a year for each $100,000 of assessed value. So you can check any house you like in a few seconds.

When will Haverhill MA set its next tax rate?

Most likely late this year. Fiscal year 2026 ran from July 2025 to June 2026, so the FY2027 rate is the next one.

Last year, the city held its tax hearing on November 18, 2025. At that hearing, leaders pick how to split taxes between homes and businesses. So if you buy this fall, your first bills may still use the old rate. Ask for the newest rate before you lock in a budget.

What's happening with the new Consentino Middle School in Haverhill MA?

The new building is set to finish in 2026. The old one comes down in 2027.

The new Consentino Middle School serves grades 5 to 8. It has room for 1,080 students. The total budget is about $159.9 million.

The state school building agency pays 80 percent of the costs it counts as eligible. That's a high share. The city pays the rest. If you have kids heading into middle school, this is a brand new building for them.

What's going on with Whittier Tech, and why does it matter in Haverhill MA?

Whittier Tech is the regional trade high school for Haverhill MA and 10 other cities and towns. Its building plan is still open.

In January 2024, voters said no to a $444.6 million new school. The district then started over with the state. A new study was set to start on April 28, 2026.

Four choices are on the table. One is a move to the Northern Essex Community College campus in Haverhill MA. The others are a new building on the current site, a renovation, or a renovation with an addition.

Each member town pays a share of Whittier's costs. So whatever plan wins will show up in your tax bill someday. Nobody knows that number yet.

Did Whittier Tech close any programs?

Yes. The school closed some programs that drew very few new students.

Construction Craft Laborers closed after the 2024 to 2025 school year. Early Education and Care closed after the 2025 to 2026 school year. Design and Visual Communication is set to close after the 2026 to 2027 school year.

If your teen wants a trade path, check the current program list before you pick a house. It's a short call that can save you a hard surprise.

How do I check Haverhill MA school test scores?

Use the state's school profiles site. It's free, and it's the source schools use too.

The spring 2026 MCAS results went up in September 2026. MCAS is the state test that kids take in grades 3 to 8 and grade 10. Search for Haverhill MA, open the test results, and look at the share of students who met or beat expectations.

The same site lists graduation rates and spending per student. Look at the exact schools your house would use, not just the district. Two streets apart can mean two different schools.

How much should test scores matter to you?

They matter, but they're one snapshot. Scores track closely with family income. So they tell you about a city's families as much as its teaching.

I've made the schools or the house choice twice in my own life. Once I picked the school district. Once I picked the house. Both times, I wish I'd weighed it more carefully. That's why I walk families through it slowly now.

Visit the schools. Talk to parents on the street you like. Then decide what fits you and your kids, not a ranking.

Is Haverhill MA a good fit for your family?

If you want a lower tax rate and a new middle school, Haverhill MA has a strong case.

Go in with your eyes open on Whittier Tech. If you're comparing towns, line up the real bill on real houses. Our Andover MA, North Andover MA and Amesbury MA guide shows how to do that side by side.

This isn't about the best town. It's about the trade you're willing to make.

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