Living in Rowley, MA: prices, taxes and commute
A small North Shore town with a commuter rail stop.
Rowley's single-family median was $960,000 in September 2026 on only 3 sales, and $894,750 over the past 12 months, +1.1% from a year earlier. The FY2026 tax rate is $12.09 per $1,000. Rowley station is on the Newburyport branch of the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line, with trains to North Station.
Rowley 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 $11,606 before any exemption.
Every issue of The Context Report for Rowley
| Issue | Median | Sales | Carrying cost / mo | 12-mo median | 12-mo change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1, June 2026 | $1,025,000 | 3 | $6,270 | $971,000 | +21.5% |
| No. 2, July 2026 (June 2026 sales) | $920,000 | 4 | $5,640 | $940,000 | +16.8% |
| No. 3, August 2026 (July 2026 sales) | $1,035,500 | 4 | $6,425 | $944,950 | +11.8% |
| No. 4, September 2026 (August 2026 sales) | $801,000 | 7 | $5,017 | $869,500 | -1.8% |
| No. 5, October 2026 (September 2026 sales) | $960,000 | 3 | $6,357 | $894,750 | +1.1% |
Homes in Rowley
Rowley's September single-family median of $960,000 ranked 10 of 21 North Shore towns with sales that month, above the regional middle of $890,000. The 12-month median of $894,750 is the steadier number, especially with so few sales in September. 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
Rowley's FY2026 residential rate is $12.09 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $11.77 in FY2025. A home assessed at $960,000 would pay about $11,606 a year in property tax. Rowley does not offer a residential exemption. See how that compares on our property tax rates by town page.
Getting around
- Commuter rail: Rowley station on the Newburyport branch to North Station.
- By car: Route 1, Route 1A and I-95. 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 Rowley to see enrollment, staffing, assessment results and more.
- Crime data: Massachusetts crime statistics, the state's public crime reporting site. The Rowley police department also publishes local reports.
- Drinking water: EPA: find Rowley's annual drinking water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report).
- 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.
Rowley has coastline or tidal waterfront. Some areas near the water are in mapped flood zones; check every address.
Sources
- The Context Report No. 5 (October 2026)
- Massachusetts DOR FY2026 tax rates
- MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line
Questions this page answers
What is the median home price in Rowley, MA?
The single-family median in Rowley was $960,000 in September 2026 on 3 sales, a small sample, so treat it with caution. Over the last 12 months it was $894,750, +1.1% from a year earlier.
What is the property tax rate in Rowley?
Rowley's FY2026 residential rate is $12.09 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $11.77 in FY2025. The commercial rate is $12.09.
How do you get from Rowley to Boston?
Rowley station is on the Newburyport branch of the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line, with trains to North Station.
Is Rowley 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 Rowley?
About $6,357 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.