How much does it cost to rent in Barnstable, MA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Barnstable, MA is $2,932. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Barnstable cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Barnstable is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts, ranking #33 out of 107 cities tracked at $2,932/mo.

When was Barnstable rent data last updated?

Barnstable rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MA

Barnstable

Name: Average Rent Prices in Barnstable, MA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 49,568·33rd most expensive in Massachusetts·Barnstable rents are up 19.7% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,932/mo

Year-over-Year

+19.7%

Month-over-Month

-1.7%

vs US Median

+$967

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Barnstable · $2,932

More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

49% of income

STRETCHED

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,932/mo, rent takes about 49% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$117,000/yr

US median income

$72,000/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Barnstable's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$35,184/yr

At $2,932/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 19.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+19.7% YoY, -1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Barnstable, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 42.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

49,568

Median age

49.1

Renters

24.3%

Age distribution

17.2%

17.8%

21.7%

16.6%

26.8%

Under 1817.2%

18–3417.8%

35–5421.7%

55–6416.6%

65+26.8%

Gender

46.6%

53.4%

Male46.6%

Female53.4%

Race & ethnicity

76.5%

White76.5%

Black5.7%

Hispanic4.8%

Asian1.1%

Other11.9%

Education (25+)

22.4%

29.6%

42.1%

No HS diploma6%

HS diploma22.4%

Some college29.6%

Bachelor's+42.1%

Housing tenure

75.7%

24.3%

Owner75.7%

Renter24.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2019 vs 2026

How Barnstable, MA has changed in 5 years

Population

44,406 → 49,568

up 11.6%

Renter share

25% → 24.3%

-0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

38.6% → 42.1%

+3.5 pts

Median age

48.3 → 49.1

+0.8 yrs

Census counts show Barnstable, MA adding about 5,162 residents over the five-year window, up 11.6% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 38.6% to 42.1% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Barnstable

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View Barnstable rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Barnstable on your salary?

At $2,932/mo, how Barnstable rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 32.1% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 45.2% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 39.3% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 17.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 48.3% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 53.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 43.4% income

rent-burdened

Local insights

Tips for renters in Barnstable

About renting in Barnstable, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Barnstable is $2,932/mo as of July 2026.

At 49% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Barnstable ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 19.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Barnstable an affordable city for renters?

Barnstable is considered stretched for renters. At $2,932/mo, rent takes approximately 49% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Barnstable significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Barnstable?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $117,000/year (~$56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,932/mo in Barnstable.

Is rent going up or down in Barnstable?

Rent in Barnstable has increased 19.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Barnstable rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Barnstable is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #33 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,932/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Barnstable?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Barnstable ($2,932/mo): Fairhaven ($1,800/mo), New Bedford ($1,916/mo), Plymouth ($2,788/mo).

What percentage of Barnstable residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.3% of Barnstable households are renters, while 75.7% are owner-occupied. Barnstable leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Barnstable rent compare to the national average?

Barnstable's median rent of $2,932/mo is $967 (49%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #33 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

49%

STRETCHED

At $2,932/mo, rent takes ~49% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Barnstable 49%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Barnstable affordability calculator →

Nearby cities