Boston, MA town hall & government
Boston spent $6.6 billion in the year to June 30, 2024, about $10,128 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Boston's government.
Who runs Boston
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Boston's money goes
Boston runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Massachusetts cities.
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 52%
- From the state 23%
- Interest, fines & other 7%
- Fees & charges 6%
- Sales taxes 4%
- Utility sales 3%
- From other local governments 2%
- Other taxes & licenses 2%
- From the federal government <1%
Who works for Boston
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Boston School District
Boston's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Boston, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal
- Local 62%
- State 25%
- Federal 14%
Of the $39,929 per pupil, $22,300 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
What homeowners in Boston pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Boston's government
Who represents Boston
Boston is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Stephen F. Lynch. Maura Healey is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.