Rents are right about where Boston's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,414 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Boston, MA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 54.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Boston, MA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Boston, MA stood at $2,592 in 2021 and currently runs about $3,414, reflecting a 31.7% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $97,344 today, compared with $81,744 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 54.9% of adults here, versus 52.1% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Boston
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Can you afford rent in Boston on your salary?
At $3,414/mo, how Boston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Boston rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Boston. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Boston
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Boston is $3,414/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,544/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,698/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,856/mo.
At 42% of local median household income ($97,344/yr), Boston ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Which Boston neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Boston residents rent vs. own?
How does Boston rent compare to the national average?
At $3,414/mo, rent takes ~42% of Boston's median household income ($97,344/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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