Living in Melrose, MA: prices, taxes and commute
A residential city with three commuter rail stops and the Orange Line next door at Oak Grove.
Melrose's single-family median was $950,000 in September 2026, and $968,000 over the past 12 months, -0.7% from a year earlier. The FY2026 tax rate is $11.47 per $1,000. Melrose has three stops on the MBTA Haverhill Line: Wyoming Hill, Melrose/Cedar Park and Melrose Highlands.
Melrose by the numbers
Source: The Context Report No. 5 (October 2026), MLS PIN closed single-family sales for September 2026; Massachusetts DOR FY2026 tax rates. Carrying cost assumes 20% down on a 30-year fixed loan and excludes insurance, HOA and maintenance. Annual tax on the September median at the FY2026 rate is about $10,897 before any exemption.
Every issue of The Context Report for Melrose
| Issue | Median | Sales | Carrying cost / mo | 12-mo median | 12-mo change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1, June 2026 | $1,003,400 | 20 | $6,086 | $970,000 | +7.8% |
| No. 2, July 2026 (June 2026 sales) | $999,999 | 27 | $6,078 | $970,000 | +7.2% |
| No. 3, August 2026 (July 2026 sales) | $1,075,000 | 29 | $6,614 | $995,000 | +7.0% |
| No. 4, September 2026 (August 2026 sales) | $915,000 | 15 | $5,683 | $970,000 | pending |
| No. 5, October 2026 (September 2026 sales) | $950,000 | 17 | $6,241 | $968,000 | -0.7% |
Homes in Melrose
Melrose's September single-family median of $950,000 ranked 13 of 26 Greater Boston towns with sales that month, above the regional middle of $950,000. The 12-month median of $968,000 is the steadier number. These figures cover single-family homes only; condos and multi-families are not included. Price depends heavily on the street and the house, so the town median is only a starting point. Ask us for recent sales of homes like yours.
Taxes and monthly cost
Melrose's FY2026 residential rate is $11.47 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $9.90 in FY2025. A home assessed at $950,000 would pay about $10,897 a year in property tax. Melrose does not offer a residential exemption. See how that compares on our property tax rates by town page.
Getting around
- Commuter rail: Wyoming Hill, Melrose/Cedar Park and Melrose Highlands on the Haverhill Line to North Station.
- Orange Line: Oak Grove, just over the line in Malden.
- By car: Route 1 and I-93 nearby. Travel times vary a lot with traffic; test your own commute at rush hour.
Schedules change. Check mbta.com for current service before you count on a commute.
Schools, safety, water and flood data
We do not rate towns. These are the official sources, so you can look at the data yourself.
- Schools: Massachusetts DESE school and district profiles. Search for Melrose to see enrollment, staffing, assessment results and more.
- Crime data: Massachusetts crime statistics, the state's public crime reporting site. The Melrose police department also publishes local reports.
- Drinking water: MWRA drinking water quality reports (Melrose is an MWRA water community).
- Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Enter the address. If a home is in a high-risk flood zone, lenders will require flood insurance, so check before you make an offer.
Sources
- The Context Report No. 5 (October 2026)
- Massachusetts DOR FY2026 tax rates
- MBTA Haverhill Line
- MBTA Orange Line
Questions this page answers
What is the median home price in Melrose, MA?
The single-family median in Melrose was $950,000 in September 2026 on 17 sales. Over the last 12 months it was $968,000, -0.7% from a year earlier.
What is the property tax rate in Melrose?
Melrose's FY2026 residential rate is $11.47 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $9.90 in FY2025. The commercial rate is $20.61.
How do you get from Melrose to Boston?
Melrose has three stops on the MBTA Haverhill Line: Wyoming Hill, Melrose/Cedar Park and Melrose Highlands. The Orange Line at Oak Grove is just over the Malden line.
Is Melrose a good place to live?
That depends on what you need. This page lays out prices, taxes, commute options and links to public school, crime, water and flood data so you can decide for yourself.
How much does it cost per month to own a home in Melrose?
About $6,241 a month in principal, interest and property tax on the September median, with 20% down on a 30-year fixed loan. Insurance and maintenance are extra.