Cost to Own
United States › Massachusetts › Essex County › Marblehead Population 20,334 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-15
Before you budget for Marblehead FEMA rates natural hazard risk in Essex County Relatively High, with coastal flooding its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Marblehead, Massachusetts

A $906,000 home here costs

$6,925

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $297,000 a year.

P&I 72%Tax 10%Insurance 3%Utilities 3%Upkeep 11%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $5,018. The real number is $1,907 higher every month, 38% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Essex County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Marblehead median: $906,200
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
MA average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $724,800 borrowed $5,018
Property tax0.895% effective rate for Marblehead itself $676
Homeowners insuranceMassachusetts averages $1,712/yr (NAIC), or 0.31% of home value $234
Electricity30.49ยข/kWh, Massachusetts residential average, EIA $174
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $755
Total monthly $6,925

Marblehead against Essex County and Massachusetts

MeasureMarbleheadEssex County
Median home value$906,200$584,000
Median property tax$8,115$6,267
Effective tax rate0.895%1.073%
Median gross rent$1,769$1,673
Population20,334807,258

The weather behind that power bill

Marblehead sits in Essex County, which averages a high of 81.8°F in its hottest month and a low of 19.7°F in its coldest, with 44.89" of precipitation a year and 28% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 611 cooling and 6,103 heating degree days, which is what sets the $174 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Essex County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Essex County

Full Essex County cost breakdown · Every county in Massachusetts

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Marblehead averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Marblehead every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Marblehead I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Marblehead?

A $906,000 home in Marblehead, Massachusetts costs approximately $6,925 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $5,018 principal and interest, $676 property tax, $234 homeowners insurance, $242 utilities and $755 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Marblehead?

Marblehead has an effective property tax rate of 0.895%, based on a median home value of $906,200 and median real estate taxes of $8,115. That is lower than the Essex County average of 1.073%.

What is the average home price in Marblehead?

The median owner-occupied home value in Marblehead, Massachusetts is $906,200, against $584,000 across Essex County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Marblehead?

Median gross rent in Marblehead is $1,769 a month, against $6,925 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Marblehead?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Marblehead, Massachusetts at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $297,000 a year. That covers the full $6,925 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Marblehead, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Massachusetts.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology