Average Rent in Massachusetts

Rental market overview for Massachusetts, powered by HUD and Census data.

Median Rent

$1,502

Median Income

$100,809

Rent Burden

30.1%

Avg FMR (2BR)

N/A

Affordability

Massachusetts: 30.1% rent burden, above the 30% affordability threshold.

<25% 25 to 30%>30%

Affordability Map: Income vs Rent in Massachusetts

Each dot is a city, sized by population. The diagonal line is the 30% rent to income threshold. Cities above the line tend to be unaffordable for median earners.

Cities in Massachusetts by median income and median rent
City	Median income	Median rent	Rent burden
Boston	$89,212	$1,981	30.0%
Worcester	$63,011	$1,312	31.3%
Springfield	$47,677	$1,047	34.4%
Cambridge	$121,539	$2,628	27.9%
Lowell	$73,008	$1,466	30.1%
Brockton	$74,016	$1,446	31.4%
Quincy	$90,668	$1,901	28.5%
Lynn	$70,046	$1,511	34.0%
New Bedford	$54,604	$1,026	28.6%
Fall River	$52,734	$1,020	29.4%
Newton	$176,373	$2,252	26.5%
Lawrence	$53,977	$1,502	33.7%
Somerville	$120,778	$2,357	25.0%
Framingham	$94,909	$1,689	30.6%
Haverhill	$81,989	$1,462	33.6%
Malden	$90,295	$1,962	31.2%
Waltham	$113,443	$2,141	26.4%
Brookline	$130,600	$2,702	29.1%
Medford	$114,863	$2,305	25.9%
Revere	$78,968	$1,790	33.7%
Taunton	$72,782	$1,180	32.0%
Weymouth Town	$95,879	$1,718	32.3%
Chicopee	$63,866	$1,058	29.7%
Peabody	$91,125	$1,795	34.8%
Methuen Town	$93,681	$1,514	38.0%
Barnstable Town	$94,387	$1,711	34.1%
Everett	$77,796	$1,892	32.8%
Attleboro	$91,378	$1,359	29.8%
Arlington	$136,312	$1,902	25.2%
Salem	$79,196	$1,678	32.6%
Pittsfield	$66,859	$1,027	30.9%
Leominster	$75,620	$1,171	29.0%
Beverly	$99,525	$1,622	31.5%
Fitchburg	$65,963	$1,115	30.1%
Marlborough	$94,199	$1,648	31.7%
Woburn	$104,780	$2,131	32.1%
Westfield	$78,307	$1,050	28.9%
Chelsea	$71,051	$1,806	32.5%
Braintree Town	$120,593	$1,678	29.0%
Holyoke	$49,007	$937	29.8%
Watertown Town	$117,625	$2,183	26.4%
Randolph Town	$94,905	$1,883	34.3%
Lexington	$206,323	$2,818	28.8%
Amherst Town	$68,427	$1,484	38.6%
Franklin Town	$138,062	$1,792	29.7%
Needham	$206,261	$2,133	34.7%
Norwood	$98,653	$1,948	29.7%
North Attleborough Town	$104,795	$1,246	28.6%
Wellesley	$250,001	$2,637	24.0%
Gloucester	$84,465	$1,390	35.5%
Melrose	$126,305	$1,837	28.9%
West Springfield Town	$67,297	$1,038	32.1%
Agawam Town	$80,809	$1,218	26.9%
Saugus	$96,064	$1,717	32.7%
Bridgewater Town	$110,354	$1,820	30.9%
Milton	$170,531	$1,454	32.5%
Northampton	$80,981	$1,355	31.9%
Danvers	$116,636	$1,862	29.4%
Milford	$89,608	$1,588	31.4%
Wakefield	$125,592	$1,742	28.8%
Belmont	$164,918	$2,339	25.8%
Burlington	$133,936	$2,319	32.1%
Reading	$154,662	$1,650	26.4%
Dedham	$118,877	$2,006	33.5%
Wilmington	$151,034	$2,293	31.3%
Stoneham	$112,935	$1,843	27.7%
Winchester	$208,531	$2,192	24.9%
Gardner	$56,974	$1,041	29.6%
Marblehead	$164,104	$1,749	30.1%
Winthrop Town	$98,901	$1,841	33.2%
Newburyport	$127,306	$1,426	28.5%
Somerset	$105,377	$1,307	24.5%
Greenfield	$53,149	$1,012	33.2%
Southbridge Town	$55,182	$1,142	34.3%
Amesbury Town	$91,010	$1,464	34.5%
Abington	$120,535	$1,419	30.5%
Easthampton Town	$67,329	$1,168	30.2%
Longmeadow	$138,218	$1,760	28.6%
Hudson	$91,324	$1,484	24.7%
Swampscott	$118,646	$2,134	31.1%
North Adams	$49,525	$843	32.1%
Lynnfield	$160,931	$1,891	51.0%
Palmer Town	$73,568	$1,118	30.3%
Webster	$59,375	$999	31.4%
South Yarmouth	$77,723	$1,655	33.2%
Holbrook	$96,920	$1,380	27.3%
Maynard	$112,524	$1,516	29.6%
Nantucket	$131,736	$2,342	27.6%
Hull	$128,022	$1,728	26.5%
Andover	$130,417	$1,477	27.3%
Athol	$62,962	$981	33.2%
Middleborough Center	$79,811	$1,484	35.0%
Mansfield Center	$94,903	$1,519	26.0%
Plymouth	$74,500	$1,672	30.5%
Clinton	$72,956	$1,281	28.9%
Whitinsville	$88,750	$1,125	24.0%
Cochituate	$181,494	$1,739	24.0%
Northborough	$147,456	$1,208	35.1%
East Falmouth	$67,964	$1,780	51.0%
West Concord	$170,040	$2,449	27.7%
Pinehurst	$136,292	$1,817	29.2%
Walpole	$121,210	$1,604	28.5%
Medfield	$181,125	$1,324	36.2%
Foxborough	$71,340	$1,566	33.2%
Ware	$44,107	$1,010	36.6%
West Yarmouth	$60,794	$1,547	41.9%
Kingston	$124,048	$1,398	28.8%
Sharon	$173,938	$2,244	31.8%
Yarmouth Port	$102,321	$1,671	35.5%
Adams	$49,077	$879	32.1%
East Harwich	$96,188	$2,026	25.1%
North Scituate	$127,339	$1,564	34.4%
Spencer	$58,898	$1,022	25.2%
Hingham	$204,946	$1,319	36.2%
Bliss Corner	$71,016	$1,014	35.2%
Scituate	$108,194	$870	26.3%
Oxford	$74,762	$911	32.9%
Salisbury	$89,768	$1,509	35.6%
The Pinehills	$111,710	$2,457	37.7%
Raynham Center	$98,984	$1,766	51.0%
Rockport	$89,574	$1,712	33.7%
Ipswich	$95,342	$1,367	23.9%
Marshfield	$93,491	$1,227	38.6%
Millis-Clicquot	$111,192	$1,817	34.9%
North Westport	$82,408	$1,130	21.3%
Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock	$106,528	$1,157	32.4%
Bellingham	$76,729	$1,854	47.3%
Smith Mills	$73,393	$658	25.8%
Williamstown	$110,855	$1,244	30.4%
Winchendon	$56,042	$959	30.6%
North Plymouth	$59,696	$1,646	42.6%
Westborough	$87,411	$1,414	24.9%
Hopedale	$117,135	$1,457	29.4%
Northwest Harwich	$81,268	$3,501	51.0%
Sagamore	$113,289	$1,641	27.6%
North Pembroke	$156,429	$2,540	29.2%
Forestdale	$118,382	$1,665	28.6%
Falmouth	$57,333	$1,101	37.0%
Wilbraham	$97,891	$1,125	20.9%
Turners Falls	$53,306	$1,054	32.6%
East Sandwich	$123,571	$1,867	24.3%
Orange	$55,558	$988	30.8%
North Lakeville	$85,123	$1,718	38.6%
Provincetown	$91,711	$1,106	36.4%
South Duxbury	$197,632	$2,087	17.6%
Nahant	$105,867	$1,747	28.8%
Dennis Port	$54,071	$1,390	32.7%
Hopkinton	$168,393	$1,588	39.5%
Acushnet Center	$67,333	$959	30.0%
South Dennis	$81,607	$1,696	31.8%
Monument Beach	$93,688	$1,743	51.0%
Buzzards Bay	$88,791	$1,556	30.5%
Ayer	$76,094	$1,223	28.0%
Sandwich	$99,333	$1,688	23.5%
Littleton Common	$122,854	$1,275	29.1%
Fiskdale	$83,546	$1,256	27.2%
Topsfield	$156,250	$944	34.0%
East Douglas	$74,417	$1,210	31.2%
Dover	$250,001	$3,501	38.2%
North Brookfield	$73,904	$931	19.7%
Vineyard Haven	$65,313	$1,420	24.1%
Harwich Port	$58,854	$1,087	31.2%
White Island Shores	$103,372	$1,753	29.8%
Sturbridge	$123,375	$1,625	23.0%
Pepperell	$91,406	$894	29.6%
Lenox	$57,460	$1,055	33.1%
East Pepperell	$109,265	$1,400	32.9%
North Eastham	$81,544	$1,645	51.0%
South Deerfield	$81,577	$1,271	20.8%
Dennis	$113,526	$1,449	20.2%
Great Barrington	$44,583	$1,031	29.9%
Hanscom AFB	$71,250	$3,203	40.1%
Bourne	$76,103	$1,695	51.0%
Brewster	$62,695	$1,177	30.5%
Shelburne Falls	$54,250	$998	32.7%
Rutland	$84,063	$1,110	30.2%
Monson Center	$51,902	$816	32.2%
Orleans	$72,422	$804	26.8%
Rowley	$101,995	$1,039	27.6%
South Lancaster	$101,250	$379	31.2%
Chatham	$84,554	$965	31.5%
Teaticket	$86,250	$1,388	22.1%
West Brookfield	$53,849	$1,066	31.3%
Lee	$78,021	$1,193	30.6%
Holland	$78,462	$1,165	14.8%
Shirley	$85,119	$927	33.4%
East Brookfield	$76,406	$988	18.4%
Hatfield	$99,500	$944	29.7%
Onset	$72,017	$1,583	N/A
Granby	$94,663	$859	14.7%
Townsend	$61,546	$953	22.6%
Millers Falls	$60,455	$996	32.4%
Woods Hole	$72,031	$1,219	24.9%
Housatonic	$80,000	$1,116	33.3%
Marion Center	$97,500	$2,400	40.0%
Brookfield	$68,299	$1,069	17.1%
Northfield	$62,969	$915	34.0%
Huntington	$58,646	$1,081	24.5%
West Warren	$64,989	$793	17.6%
Chester	$79,167	$981	36.8%
Russell	$103,906	$864	27.8%
Petersham	$76,328	$1,458	51.0%

How Massachusetts Compares to the National Average

Median Rent

$1,502▲ 10.0%

Rent Burden

30.1%▼ 0.7%

Vacancy Rate

14.1%▲ 63.7%

Massachusetts Rental Market Overview

Massachusetts has approximately 237 cities with rental data tracked by StayRentals. Roughly 29.8% of housing units in the state are renter-occupied. The state's median rent is approximately $1,502, which is 10% higher than the national median of $1,365. (Source: Census ACS)

The average Massachusetts renter spends approximately 30.1% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of approximately 30.3%. This suggests the state is generally in line with or more affordable than national averages. (Source: Census ACS)

With a rental vacancy rate of approximately 14.1%, the Massachusetts rental market may offer renters more options and negotiating power. (Source: Census ACS)

Rent Burden Distribution Across Massachusetts Cities

56% of cities in Massachusetts have a rent burden at or above 30% of household income.

City count by rent burden bracket for Massachusetts
Burden bracket	Number of cities
Under 25%	29
25 to 30%	64
30 to 35%	84
35% and up	33

Most and Least Affordable Cities

Most Affordable Cities

Most Expensive Cities

Most affordable cities (lowest rent burden):

South Duxbury: median rent of $2,087, median income of $197,632, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 17.6%. (Source: Census ACS)

North Brookfield: median rent of $931, median income of $73,904, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 19.7%. (Source: Census ACS)

Wilbraham: median rent of $1,125, median income of $97,891, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 20.9%. (Source: Census ACS)

North Westport: median rent of $1,130, median income of $82,408, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 21.3%. (Source: Census ACS)

Sturbridge: median rent of $1,625, median income of $123,375, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 23.0%. (Source: Census ACS)

Most expensive cities (highest rent burden):

Monument Beach: median rent of $1,743, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Northwest Harwich: median rent of $3,501, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Raynham Center: median rent of $1,766, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

East Falmouth: median rent of $1,780, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Lynnfield: median rent of $1,891, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

HUD Fair Market Rent by Bedroom

HUD Fair Market Rent data is reported at the county level for this state. See city pages for local FMR data.

Population vs Median Rent in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, larger cities tend to have higher rents than smaller towns.

Renting in Massachusetts: What to Know

Renter protections and landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality within Massachusetts. Most states require landlords to provide advance notice before raising rent on month-to-month leases, though the specific notice period varies. Some municipalities within Massachusetts may have additional local tenant protections.

Housing laws change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local tenant rights organization, legal aid society, or attorney. StayRentals does not provide legal advice.

Massachusetts Rental Market Trends

Rent trends for Massachusetts are tracked through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for shelter costs. Nationally, rent costs have generally increased over the past decade, though the rate of increase varies by metro area and time period.

Detailed monthly rent CPI data is available for major metropolitan areas. Visit our homepage for the national rent CPI trend chart, or explore individual city pages for local context. (Source: BLS Consumer Price Index)

Affordable rentals in Massachusetts

1,412 income-restricted apartment buildings tracked across Massachusetts, sourced from HUD’s LIHTC, Section 8, Section 202, and Section 811 datasets.

Boston

187 buildings

Springfield

71 buildings

Worcester

60 buildings

Lowell

42 buildings

Cambridge

38 buildings

See all affordable rental cities in Massachusetts →

Cities in Massachusetts

237 cities with rental data, sorted by population.

Showing top 50 of 237 by population

City	Population	Median Rent	Rent Burden	FMR (2BR)
Boston	665,945	$1,981	30.0%	N/A
Worcester	204,191	$1,312	31.3%	N/A
Springfield	155,305	$1,047	34.4%	N/A
Cambridge	117,962	$2,628	27.9%	N/A
Lowell	114,737	$1,466	30.1%	N/A
Brockton	104,713	$1,446	31.4%	N/A
Quincy	100,981	$1,901	28.5%	N/A
Lynn	100,653	$1,511	34.0%	N/A
New Bedford	100,620	$1,026	28.6%	N/A
Fall River	93,638	$1,020	29.4%	N/A
Newton	88,453	$2,252	26.5%	N/A
Lawrence	88,067	$1,502	33.7%	N/A
Somerville	80,464	$2,357	25.0%	N/A
Framingham	71,805	$1,689	30.6%	N/A
Haverhill	67,273	$1,462	33.6%	N/A
Malden	65,463	$1,962	31.2%	N/A
Waltham	64,711	$2,141	26.4%	N/A
Brookline	62,698	$2,702	29.1%	N/A
Medford	61,748	$2,305	25.9%	N/A
Revere	60,577	$1,790	33.7%	N/A
Taunton	59,436	$1,180	32.0%	N/A
Weymouth Town	57,300	$1,718	32.3%	N/A
Chicopee	55,441	$1,058	29.7%	N/A
Peabody	54,204	$1,795	34.8%	N/A
Methuen Town	52,812	$1,514	38.0%	N/A
Barnstable Town	48,922	$1,711	34.1%	N/A
Everett	48,685	$1,892	32.8%	N/A
Attleboro	46,384	$1,359	29.8%	N/A
Arlington	45,906	$1,902	25.2%	N/A
Salem	44,541	$1,678	32.6%	N/A
Pittsfield	43,730	$1,027	30.9%	N/A
Leominster	43,620	$1,171	29.0%	N/A
Beverly	42,414	$1,622	31.5%	N/A
Fitchburg	41,621	$1,115	30.1%	N/A
Marlborough	41,391	$1,648	31.7%	N/A
Woburn	40,992	$2,131	32.1%	N/A
Westfield	40,794	$1,050	28.9%	N/A
Chelsea	39,890	$1,806	32.5%	N/A
Braintree Town	38,748	$1,678	29.0%	N/A
Holyoke	38,210	$937	29.8%	N/A
Watertown Town	35,181	$2,183	26.4%	N/A
Randolph Town	34,691	$1,883	34.3%	N/A
Lexington	34,221	$2,818	28.8%	N/A
Amherst Town	33,389	$1,484	38.6%	N/A
Franklin Town	32,777	$1,792	29.7%	N/A
Needham	31,957	$2,133	34.7%	N/A
Norwood	31,343	$1,948	29.7%	N/A
North Attleborough Town	30,750	$1,246	28.6%	N/A
Wellesley	29,862	$2,637	24.0%	N/A
Gloucester	29,830	$1,390	35.5%	N/A

Data Sources

**Data Sources:**

U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Rent of Primary Residence

Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.

StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.

Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.