1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Boston, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Boston, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $3,469 and +93% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Boston
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Boston
Compare Boston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $1,120 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $1,120 |
| 3 | New Bedford | $1,120 |
| 4 | Westfield | $1,160 |
| 5 | Spencer | $1,170 |
| 6 | Webster | $1,170 |
| 7 | Gardner | $1,180 |
| 8 | Springfield | $1,215 |
| 9 | Fall River | $1,260 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | $1,260 |
| 11 | Pittsfield | $1,280 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,390 |
| 13 | Clinton | $1,410 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,447 |
| 15 | Lawrence | $1,450 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,550 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,370 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,310 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,254 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,940 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,840 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,787 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,730 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,730 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,720 |
| 11 | Boston (this page) | $2,698 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,650 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,620 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,620 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,620 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Boston.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Boston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 3.4 mi | $3,254 | +$556 (+21%) |
| Brookline, MA | 3.8 mi | $3,310 | +$612 (+23%) |
| Somerville, MA | 4.3 mi | $2,787 | +$89 (+3%) |
| Everett, MA | 5.5 mi | $2,180 | $-518 (-19%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 5.7 mi | $2,140 | $-558 (-21%) |
| Quincy, MA | 6.5 mi | $2,320 | $-378 (-14%) |
| Medford, MA | 6.6 mi | $2,620 | $-78 (-3%) |
| Malden, MA | 6.9 mi | $2,420 | $-278 (-10%) |
| Winthrop, MA | 7.9 mi | $2,140 | $-558 (-21%) |
| Belmont, MA | 8.1 mi | $2,720 | +$22 (+1%) |
| Revere, MA | 8.2 mi | $2,140 | $-558 (-21%) |
| Newton, MA | 8.2 mi | $2,590 | $-108 (-4%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Boston — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Boston?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Boston, Massachusetts is $2,698 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $3,469.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Boston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $107,920 ($8,993/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Boston expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Boston's 1-bedroom median of $2,698 is +93% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Boston rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Boston ranks #96 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Boston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Everett ($2,180), Chelsea ($2,140), Quincy ($2,320).