Disclosed are: (1) a method for producing 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal, which comprises the step of providing a reaction mixture containing 1-acetoxy-2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-propene by a process for reacting 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene with 2-methyl-3,3-diacetoxypropene or a process for reacting 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene, methacrolein and acetic anhydride with one another; subjecting the reaction mixture to hydrolysis or transesterification with an alcohol to provide a reaction mixture containing 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal; and purifying by distilling the reaction mixture, wherein a high boiling point compound contained in the reaction mixture is removed by a specific procedure; and (2) 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-propanal produced by the method, which has an acetic acid content of a less than 40 ppm, is useful as a perfume, and has a high purity.