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

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

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

Here's the tradeoff. The rate looks low, but your bill follows the value the city puts on your home. A low rate on a high value can still be a big bill.

If you're excited about Newburyport MA but nervous about the taxes, you aren't alone. Buyers tell me that feeling all the time.

So let's make it simple. Every number below comes from the city or the state. Where a number isn't settled, I'll tell you.

A low rate doesn't promise a low bill. Your home's value decides that.

What's the property tax rate in Newburyport MA?

If you buy in Newburyport MA, your FY2026 tax rate is $9.26 per $1,000 of assessed value. You can find it on the city's assessor site.

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 9.26.

That's about $926 a year for each $100,000 of assessed value. So a home with a high value will still carry a real bill, even at a low rate.

Does Newburyport MA have a split tax rate?

No. Newburyport MA uses one rate for every type of property.

Some cities charge businesses a higher rate than homes. That's called a split rate. It moves part of the load off homeowners. Newburyport MA doesn't do that right now, so homes and businesses pay the same $9.26.

This is the tradeoff in the hook. You get a simple, low rate. You don't get a shift onto businesses that some cities use to lower home bills.

When will Newburyport MA set its next tax rate?

The FY2027 rate is the next one. Fiscal year 2026 ran from July 2025 to June 2026.

In July 2026, the city said early rate numbers would go to its finance committee. The final rate comes after the state signs off. Check the city's news page for the final number before you lock in a budget.

Are school projects raising Newburyport MA taxes?

Not by much. You're looking at partial roof work, not a new school.

The city council approved partial new roofs at the city's high school and Rupert A. Nock Middle School in March 2026. The local paper reported a total cost of about $7 million. The state is set to pay back about $2.9 million of that.

That's a modest project for a city. If you're comparing towns, you'll want to know this. You won't find a big new school building on the list right now, so your bill isn't carrying one.

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

Yes, it matters. Newburyport MA is one of the 11 member cities and towns of Whittier Tech, the regional trade high school in Haverhill MA.

In January 2024, voters in 10 of the 11 towns said no to a $444.6 million new building. The district started over with the state. A new study was set to start on April 28, 2026.

The choices include a move to the Northern Essex Community College campus, a new building on the current site, or a renovation. Each member town pays a share of Whittier's costs. So the final plan will reach your tax bill someday. Nobody knows that number yet.

How do I check Newburyport MA school test scores?

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

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

You'll also find graduation rates and spending per student there. Look at the exact schools your house would use, since that's where your kids will go.

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.

Visit the schools you're thinking about. Talk to parents at the park near the street you like. Ask what they love and what they'd change. You'll learn more from them than from one number on a chart.

Is Newburyport MA a good fit for your family?

If you want a simple, low rate and no big school building on the horizon, Newburyport MA has a strong case.

Plan for a bill that matches your home's value, and keep your eye on Whittier Tech. If you're also looking at Amesbury MA or Salisbury MA, compare the real bill on real houses, not just the rates.

This isn't about the best town. It's about the trade you're happy 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