Tax rates have gone up a small amount since to last year, but how do they compare to some of the other towns and cities in Massachusetts? The Department of Revenue released tax statistics from towns all over the state recently, and Newton's rates seem fairly middle-of-the-road compared to some neighbors. 

For more detailed information comparing the tax statistics for different Mass. towns, check out the Department of Revenue documents. 

In November, the Newton Board of Aldermen decided to slightly adjust the city's tax shift. For the first time in six years, the board moved a small amount of the tax burden off local businesses, which will ultimately bring in more money for the city. 

With numbers based the city's median single-family property value of $680,500, the shift will cause single-family tax bills increased by $247, or 3.36 percent in fiscal 2012. Meanwhile, the median commercial tax bills increased by $1,046, or 6.9 percent.

The shift, which was approved at a 174 percent, determines how much of the annual tax levy the commercial, personal, industrial and residential property owners are responsible for. Since 2005, the city has stuck with a 175 percent shift.

Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce President Bob Halpin spoke briefly during the tax classification hearing in November, advocating for a tax shift that would benefit the local businesses. 

"A small shift does have big consequences for those small businesses," Halpin said. 

Some Peer Town Tax Rates

Rates are per $1,000 of valuation.