Average rent in Massachusetts
The median rent in Massachusetts is $1,848 a month (Census ACS 2024), 24% higher than the U.S. median of $1,487. You need about $73,920 a year to afford it.
Monthly basics in Massachusetts
| Cost | A month | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (median, with utilities paid by renter) | $1,848 | Census ACS 2024 |
| Electricity bill (average home) | $174 | EIA, August 2026 |
| Car insurance, full coverage | $137 | Insurify, Oct 8, 2026 |
| Gas for 1,000 miles | $155 | AAA, Oct 24, 2026 |
| These together | $2,314 | our calculation |
Each line is a state average from a different source and date, so treat the total as a rough guide. Electricity is often already counted in gross rent when the renter pays it, so the total can double-count it. Gas for 1,000 miles assumes 27.2 mpg (EPA average new vehicle).
| State | Median rent | Income needed | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $1,822 | $72,880 | 46 |
| Washington | $1,824 | $72,960 | 47 |
| Massachusetts | $1,848 | $73,920 | 48 |
| District of Columbia | $1,931 | $77,240 | 49 |
| Hawaii | $1,942 | $77,680 | 50 |
| U.S. median | $1,487 | $59,480 | - |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, median gross rent (B25064), 2024 ACS 1-year, as republished in the Kansas Statistical Abstract (University of Kansas). Year-earlier: 2023 ACS 1-year, State of Hawaii Data Book. Gross rent = rent plus utilities and fuels paid by the renter. Income needed = rent × 12 ÷ 30% (our calculation). Asking rents for listings today are usually higher than this all-renter median.
Plan around it
See what a salary in Massachusetts leaves you after tax with our Massachusetts take-home pay calculator, then split it with the 50/30/20 budget calculator. Thinking of buying instead? Try the rent vs buy calculator.
Common questions
What is the average rent in Massachusetts?
The median gross rent in Massachusetts was $1,848 a month in 2024, per the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. That ranks 48 of 51 (1 = lowest). A year earlier it was $1,757.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Massachusetts?
About $73,920 a year before tax, so the median rent of $1,848 is 30% of income, a common rule of thumb (our calculation).
Is rent in Massachusetts going up?
Median rent rose 5.2% in a year, from $1,757 to $1,848 (Census ACS, our calculation). Survey figures for a single year have a margin of error, so small changes may not be meaningful.