Where Boston’s taxes go

Boston residents pay property tax shared by the local governments where they live. In fiscal year 2025 the City of Boston spent $4.8B.

City spending, FY 2025
$4.8B

Of every $100 the city spends

FY 2025
  • Education$29.55
  • Fixed Costs$19.41
  • Public Safety$19.14
  • General Government$8.28
  • Intergovernmental$7.92
  • Debt Service$5.62
  • Human Services$4.62
  • Public Works$3.50
  • Culture & Recreation$1.96

Who taxes Boston residents

  • Federal governmentIncome, Social Security and Medicare taxes
  • State of MassachusettsState taxes
  • City of BostonA share of property tax

See what you pay, in your dollars

Your federal, state, and local taxes, and where each one goes.

See mine

Sources & methods

Where these numbers come from
  • Local budgetBoston budget (Massachusetts DLS Databank)FY 2025

Educational estimates from official public data. Not tax advice.