The Hiller Instinct: Taxes and Tolls

In Massachusetts you pay a sales tax, income tax, gas tax, cigarette tax, alcoholic beverage tax, hotel room tax, and an inheritance tax. Is it any wonder some people feel like they should just throw their wallet at Beacon Hill?

But don't think Massachusetts is Taxachusetts...it's not! In fact, Massachusetts is right in the middle of the stack when it comes to state taxes. Last year, Massachusetts ranked 24th among the 50 states, when state taxes were measured as a percentage of personal income. And, within New England, the bay state is actually a bargain. Only New Hampshire has lower taxes than Massachusetts, and New Hampshire has the lowest state taxes in the country.

And what about Massachusetts tolls? At two dollars, the Tobin Bridge is cheaper to use than the Golden Gate in San Francisco or the George Washington Bridge in New York. And while Boston's tunnel toll, also currently two dollars, is higher than Baltimore's, it's much less than New York City's. Tunnel tolls here are set to go up in July, but they still won't stand out.

What does stand out are tolls on the Mass Pike. When they go up July 1st, the 12 miles between 128 and Boston will become one of the most expensive rides in America. The new toll breaks down to 17 cents a mile, compared with a 2 cents per mile cost on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey and a 6 cents per mile cost on the New Hampshire turnpike.

So the numbers say turnpike drivers will have a right to think they're paying too much, but state taxpayers really don't.