2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Boston, MA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Boston, Massachusetts as of August 2026. That's +6% lower than the citywide median of $3,414 and +93% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Bedford | $1,380 |
| 2 | Chicopee | $1,390 |
| 3 | Holyoke | $1,390 |
| 4 | Fairhaven | $1,420 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,440 |
| 6 | Gardner | $1,470 |
| 7 | Spencer | $1,500 |
| 8 | Ware | $1,500 |
| 9 | Webster | $1,500 |
| 10 | Springfield | $1,510 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,530 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $1,570 |
| 13 | Pittsfield | $1,630 |
| 14 | Leominster | $1,740 |
| 15 | Attleboro | $1,800 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $4,210 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,990 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,923 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,858 |
| 5 | Concord | $3,480 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $3,370 |
| 7 | Westford | $3,360 |
| 8 | Somerville | $3,303 |
| 9 | Tewksbury | $3,250 |
| 10 | Burlington | $3,240 |
| 11 | Bedford | $3,230 |
| 12 | Belmont | $3,220 |
| 13 | Boston (this page) | $3,200 |
| 14 | Ashland | $3,140 |
| 15 | Winchester | $3,100 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Boston.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Boston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 3.4 mi | $3,858 | +$658 (+21%) |
| Brookline, MA | 3.8 mi | $3,923 | +$723 (+23%) |
| Somerville, MA | 4.3 mi | $3,303 | +$103 (+3%) |
| Everett, MA | 5.5 mi | $2,580 | $-620 (-19%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 5.7 mi | $2,550 | $-650 (-20%) |
| Quincy, MA | 6.5 mi | $2,753 | $-447 (-14%) |
| Medford, MA | 6.6 mi | $3,100 | $-100 (-3%) |
| Malden, MA | 6.9 mi | $2,870 | $-330 (-10%) |
| Winthrop, MA | 7.9 mi | $2,550 | $-650 (-20%) |
| Belmont, MA | 8.1 mi | $3,220 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Revere, MA | 8.2 mi | $2,550 | $-650 (-20%) |
| Newton, MA | 8.2 mi | $3,065 | $-135 (-4%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Boston — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Boston?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Boston, Massachusetts is $3,200 per month. This is +6% below the citywide median of $3,414.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Boston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $128,000 ($10,667/month gross), which works out to roughly $61.54/hour at a full-time job.
Is Boston expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Boston's 2-bedroom median of $3,200 is +93% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Boston rank for 2-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 111 cities in Massachusetts with 2-bedroom data, Boston ranks #99 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Boston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Everett ($2,580), Chelsea ($2,550), Quincy ($2,753).