Key takeaway
Holliston is a pricier place to live than most of the country, and housing is what pushes it up. The median home value is about $650,300, roughly double the U.S. median, and the FY2026 property tax rate is $14.29 per $1,000 of assessed value. The flip side is a median household income near $160,000, about twice the national figure. Energy and septic upkeep are the costs newcomers tend to underestimate.
Who this is for: anyone thinking about buying or renting in Holliston who wants a realistic picture of monthly costs before they move.
Holliston has a small-town feel that people pay for: a walkable stretch of Washington Street downtown, the Upper Charles Trail running right through town, Lake Winthrop in the summer and a lot of trees. Here's what living in Holliston actually costs in 2026, from the mortgage and tax bill to electricity, heat and getting to work.
How Holliston's Cost of Living Compares to the National Average
Holliston costs more than the typical American town, and the gap shows up almost entirely in housing. Everyday spending on things like groceries and gas runs close to what you'd pay in neighboring MetroWest towns.
| Measure | Holliston | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $159,817 | $80,734 |
| Median home value | $650,300 | $332,700 |
| Median rent | $1,821 | Varies by market |
| Homes lived in by their owners | About 87% | About 65% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates.
Holliston vs. Its Neighbors on Property Tax
Every nearby town taxes all property at a slightly different rate. For fiscal 2026, Holliston's $14.29 sits in the middle of the pack:
| Town | FY2026 tax rate per $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Ashland | $12.71 |
| Medfield | $13.52 |
| Medway | $14.00 |
| Holliston | $14.29 |
| Norfolk | $14.87 |
| Sherborn | $15.66 |
Housing Costs in Holliston
Holliston is mostly single-family homes, and nearly nine out of ten are lived in by the people who own them. That limits the rental supply, so renters often find fewer options than in larger towns like Framingham or Milford. The census puts the median home value at about $650,300, and asking prices on the open market have been running well above that.
Older Homes Downtown, Wooded Lots Everywhere Else
Around the town center you'll find older colonials and capes on smaller lots. Farther out, neighborhoods built from the 1960s through the 1990s sit on bigger, wooded parcels. Those trees are part of Holliston's charm, but they also mean more yard work, more storm cleanup and, for some houses, more shade on the roof. An older home may also come with an older heating system, a smaller electrical panel or a septic system that needs attention.
Property Taxes in Holliston
Holliston uses a single tax rate for homes and businesses. For fiscal year 2026, that rate is $14.29 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from $14.65 in fiscal 2025 because property values went up. The town's small commercial tax base means homeowners carry most of the levy, and the average single-family tax bill was about $10,339 in fiscal 2025.
Holliston also adds a 1.5% Community Preservation Act surcharge to the tax bill, calculated after the first $100,000 of assessed value is taken off. Tax rates can shift with voter-approved overrides and debt exclusions, so check with the Assessors' Office before you budget.
Utility and Energy Costs in Holliston
Energy is one of the bills Holliston homeowners notice most. All of Holliston gets its electricity from Eversource, and the basic service supply rate rose to 17.32 cents per kWh (as of November 2026), before delivery charges. A big, older house running central air in July or electric heat in January can see a painful bill.
Heating depends on the house. Some streets have natural gas from Eversource, but many homes heat with oil or propane, and those prices swing with the market every winter. Water comes from the town, while most homes rely on private septic instead of town sewer, which means budgeting for pumping every few years and the occasional repair.
Everyday Costs: Groceries, Childcare and Healthcare
Groceries, gas and dining out cost about what they do across MetroWest. Downtown Holliston has local shops and restaurants, and the bigger stores are a short drive away in Milford and Framingham. Childcare and healthcare run high everywhere in Massachusetts, and Holliston is no exception. Health insurance, daycare and after-school programs can be a large monthly expense for families.
Income, Jobs and the Salary You Need in Holliston
Holliston's median household income of about $159,817 is close to double the national median. Many households here have two incomes, and a lot of residents commute to jobs in Boston, along Route 9 and the Mass Pike, or up and down I-495. To buy at today's prices without stretching too thin, most households need an income in the upper part of that range, plus savings for a down payment. Renting takes less up front, but the rental options are limited.
Getting Around: Route 16, I-495 and the Nearest Train
Route 16 runs through the middle of town as Washington Street, and Route 126 cuts north and south toward Ashland and Framingham. I-495 and the Mass Pike are each a short drive away. Holliston doesn't have a commuter rail station. Most train riders head to the Ashland or Framingham stops on the Worcester line, or to Forge Park/495 in Franklin. Because nearly everyone drives, plan for two cars and the fuel, insurance and upkeep that come with them.
Ways Holliston Homeowners Lower Their Costs
You can't do much about the price of a house, but you can trim the bills that come with it. A Mass Save home energy assessment can uncover insulation and air sealing rebates that cut heating costs. Heat pumps can lower costs for homes that burn oil or propane. And a lot of homeowners add solar panels in Holliston to make their own electricity and stop riding every Eversource rate change.
Want to shrink one Holliston bill?
Mark Featherstone lives here in Holliston and has helped more than 1,000 happy customers go solar. Send him your address and he'll show you what solar could take off your electric bill.
Mark, run my numbers!Is Holliston Worth the Cost?
For a lot of families, yes. You pay more for housing than in many parts of the state, but you get a quiet town with trails, a lake, a real downtown and quick access to I-495 and the Pike. If you go in with clear numbers on taxes, heating, septic and electricity, Holliston can be a place you settle into for a long time.
FAQs About the Cost of Living in Holliston
Is Holliston, MA an expensive place to live?
It's more expensive than the national average, mostly because of housing. The median home value is about $650,300, roughly twice the U.S. median.
What is Holliston's property tax rate for 2026?
Holliston's fiscal year 2026 rate is $14.29 per $1,000 of assessed value, one rate for all property. The town also adds a 1.5% Community Preservation surcharge.
How much income do you need to live in Holliston?
The median household income is about $159,817. Buying a home at current prices usually takes an income near or above that, plus a solid down payment.
Does Holliston have a commuter rail station?
No. Commuters usually drive to the Ashland or Framingham stations on the Worcester line, or to Forge Park/495 in Franklin.
Why are utility costs higher in some Holliston homes?
Many homes heat with oil or propane, most rely on septic systems that need regular pumping, and Eversource's electric rates have climbed. Bigger, older houses usually feel all three the most.
About Mark Featherstone
Mark has been in solar for 14+ years, working at some of the biggest solar companies in the country, before co-founding Your World Solutions. His goal is simple: help homeowners get into solar deals that actually work for them, and make sure they understand every part of it before they sign.