The small claims limit in Boston is $7,000. Filing fees are $40 to $150. Enter your claim amount below to check eligibility and see how to file.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Enter your claim amount to see if it qualifies for small claims court in Boston.
Small claims court in Boston handles disputes up to $7,000. Attorneys ARE permitted in Massachusetts small claims court, though the process is designed to be accessible without one. The $7,000 limit applies to most claims; there is no dollar limit for certain motor-vehicle property-damage claims. Cases are filed at the Boston Municipal Court, Small Claims Session.
| Detail | Boston Small Claims |
|---|---|
| Maximum Claim | $7,000 |
| Filing Fee Range | $40 to $150 |
| Attorneys Allowed? | Yes - permitted but optional |
| Where to File | Boston Municipal Court, Small Claims Session |
| Typical Hearing Time | 30 to 90 days after filing |
| Business Claim Limit | $7,000 |
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the economic hub of New England, with a world-leading concentration of universities, hospitals, and biotechnology, alongside finance and asset management, technology, and a busy seaport.
| Local Metric | Boston (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 655,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Suffolk County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 162 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $26.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $50.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,900/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,500/month |
| Median home price | $800,000 |
| Median household income | $89,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.56% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The maximum claim in Boston is $7,000, set by Massachusetts law. The $7,000 limit applies to most claims; there is no dollar limit for certain motor-vehicle property-damage claims. Larger disputes must be filed in a higher court.
Attorneys ARE permitted in Massachusetts small claims court, though the process is designed to be accessible without one.
File at the Boston Municipal Court, Small Claims Session, generally in the county where the defendant lives or does business or where the dispute happened. Filing fees are typically $40 to $150 depending on the claim amount.
Filing fees in Boston run about $40 to $150, and fee waivers are available for low-income filers. You may also have small costs to serve the defendant by certified mail or through the constable or sheriff.
Most small claims hearings in Boston are scheduled within roughly 30 to 90 days of filing. Bring all contracts, receipts, photos, and any witnesses to the hearing.