If you’re researching property taxes in Marlborough, CT, you’ve probably already noticed one thing:
the mill rate looks high.

What most buyers don’t realize is that mill rate alone does not tell you what you’ll actually pay in property taxes. To understand the real cost of living in Marlborough, you need to look at how taxes actually work in Connecticut — and how Marlborough compares to nearby towns once all factors are considered.

 Prefer video? Watch the full breakdown here:
 Property Taxes in Marlborough vs Surrounding Towns (Mill Rates vs Reality)

Why Marlborough Comes Up So Often in Tax Conversations

Marlborough is a smaller, primarily residential town with:

• A limited commercial tax base
• A high percentage of single-family homes
• Strong school funding commitments

That structure means a larger share of town expenses is carried by homeowners. This doesn’t mean Marlborough is poorly run — it means how taxes are distributed matters.

Property Taxes 101: Mill Rate Is Only Half the Story

This is where most online comparisons go wrong.

Property taxes in Connecticut are calculated using two variables:

1. Mill rate
2. Assessed value

Looking at mill rate alone is like comparing monthly payments without knowing the loan amount.

Mill Rates (What Most People Look At First)

Here are the approximate mill rates buyers commonly compare:

• Marlborough: ~37.52 mills
• Hebron: ~34.50 mills
• Colchester: ~29.92 mills
• Glastonbury: ~31.93 mills

At face value, this makes Marlborough look like the most expensive town and Colchester the least expensive.

That’s where many buyers stop — and that’s where mistakes happen.

Assessed Values: The Part Buyers Usually Miss

Connecticut does not tax homes based on purchase price. Taxes are based on assessed value, which varies significantly by town due to:

• Revaluation cycles
• Average home prices
• Market demand
• Housing stock

This is why two towns with different mill rates can produce very different tax bills.

The Real-World Property Tax Picture (When Everything Is Factored In)

When you account for both mill rate and assessed values, the typical overall property-tax burden in this region generally ranks like this:

1. Glastonbury – highest overall property taxes
2. Marlborough
3. Hebron
4. Colchester – lowest of this group

This surprises many buyers — especially those who assume Glastonbury is cheaper just because the mill rate is lower.

Key takeaway:
A lower mill rate does not automatically mean lower property taxes.

Extended Regional Context: East Hampton & Tolland

Buyers also frequently compare Marlborough to East Hampton and Tolland.

In brief:

• East Hampton taxes can vary widely depending on lake proximity and assessed values. Averages can be misleading.
• Tolland has a larger grand list and more stable assessments, often resulting in more predictable tax bills — though higher-value homes still carry significant taxes.

In both towns, property-specific analysis matters more than town-wide averages.

Why Marlborough Taxes Feel High to Some Homeowners

Several structural factors influence perception:

• Smaller tax base
• Fewer commercial offsets
• Fixed municipal costs spread across fewer properties
• School funding obligations

High taxes don’t automatically mean inefficiency — they reflect how the town is built and funded.

What This Means for Buyers Considering Marlborough

Marlborough Can Make Sense If:

• You value RHAM schools
• You want space and privacy
• You’re planning to stay long-term
• You’re not stretching your monthly budget

Marlborough May Not Be Ideal If:

• You’re extremely payment-sensitive
• You’re choosing based on mill rate alone
• You expect suburban-level services
• You’re buying at the top of your affordability range

Final Thoughts: Compare Towns the Right Way

The biggest mistake buyers make is asking:

“Which town has the lowest mill rate?”

The better question is:

“What will my actual tax bill look like over time in each town?”

That’s the difference between buying confidently — and getting surprised later.

 Watch the full video breakdown here:
 Property Taxes in Marlborough vs Surrounding Towns (Mill Rates vs Reality)

If you’re comparing Marlborough to Hebron, Colchester, Glastonbury, East Hampton, or Tolland and want help walking through real numbers for your situation, that kind of planning is exactly what I help buyers with.

Frequently Asked Questions About Property Taxes in Marlborough, CT

Are property taxes high in Marlborough, Connecticut?

Marlborough has a relatively high mill rate, but overall tax burden depends on assessed values. When compared properly, Marlborough typically falls below Glastonbury but above Hebron and Colchester.

Is Marlborough more expensive than Glastonbury for property taxes?

In most cases, Glastonbury has higher overall property taxes due to significantly higher assessed home values, even with a lower mill rate.

Why is mill rate not enough to compare property taxes?

Because property taxes are calculated using both mill rate and assessed value. Ignoring either one leads to inaccurate comparisons.

Which town has the lowest property taxes near Marlborough?

Colchester generally has the lowest overall property taxes among the towns compared in this analysis.

How do East Hampton and Tolland compare for taxes?

Both towns vary widely by property. Lake properties in East Hampton and higher-value homes in Tolland can significantly affect tax bills, making averages unreliable.