The rule in Massachusetts
The small claims limit in Massachusetts is $7,000. The rule is M.G.L. c. 218, § 21; the Massachusetts Legislature, G.L. c. 218 § 21 puts it this way: “as debt or damages more than $7,000”. The court that hears these cases: District court and Boston Municipal Court small claims.
Among the 51 jurisdictions with a verified figure on this site, Massachusetts ranks 33rd from the top. That is $3,000 below the median of $10,000. It is 2.8 times Kentucky's $2,500 floor and 28% of the $25,000 top figure. Michigan and Montana use the same $7,000 figure.
Next door, Connecticut allows $5,000, New Hampshire allows $10,000, New York allows $10,000, Rhode Island allows $5,000 and Vermont allows $10,000. A claim of $7,000 that fits in Massachusetts would be $2,000 over the line in Connecticut. New Hampshire goes $3,000 further, so a dispute worth $10,000 could stay in small claims there but not in Massachusetts.
Worked check against the $7,000 figure: a $3,500 claim uses 50% of the limit and leaves $3,500 of room; a claim of exactly $7,000 still fits, because the rule caps the amount rather than excluding it; a claim of $7,001 is $1 over.
The source checked for Massachusetts does not publish a statewide filing fee, so this page shows none; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts the current amount.
The dollar limit does not apply to an action for property damage caused by a motor vehicle.
Deposit disputes are a common small claims case. Massachusetts caps deposits at 1 month's rent (first month's rent) (deposit rules), so a claim for a full deposit stays under the $7,000 limit whenever the monthly rent is $7,000 or less.
Source: Massachusetts Legislature, G.L. c. 218 § 21 · M.G.L. c. 218, § 21 · last checked October 20, 2026.
Where the case goes
A claim within the limit is filed with the District court and Boston Municipal Court small claims. The linked source is the place to confirm forms, the filing fee and where to file before starting; the guides on filing a small claims case and serving the papers explain the usual steps in general terms.
Questions
What is the small claims limit in Massachusetts?
$7,000, under M.G.L. c. 218, § 21. Checked October 20, 2026.
Do interest and costs count toward the Massachusetts limit?
The wording quoted from the source (“as debt or damages more than $7,000”) does not address it; the court clerk can say how the court counts them.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Massachusetts?
The source checked does not publish a statewide fee; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts it.