3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Boston, MA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Boston, Massachusetts as of August 2026. That's +13% higher than the citywide median of $3,414 and +81% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Bedford | $1,660 |
| 2 | Chicopee | $1,690 |
| 3 | Holyoke | $1,690 |
| 4 | Fairhaven | $1,710 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,760 |
| 6 | Spencer | $1,810 |
| 7 | Ware | $1,810 |
| 8 | Webster | $1,820 |
| 9 | Springfield | $1,840 |
| 10 | Fall River | $1,850 |
| 11 | Gardner | $1,920 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $2,050 |
| 13 | Pittsfield | $2,090 |
| 14 | Attleboro | $2,170 |
| 15 | Lawrence | $2,285 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $5,070 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $4,810 |
| 3 | Brookline | $4,723 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $4,646 |
| 5 | Concord | $4,190 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $4,060 |
| 7 | Westford | $4,050 |
| 8 | Somerville | $3,977 |
| 9 | Tewksbury | $3,920 |
| 10 | Burlington | $3,900 |
| 11 | Bedford | $3,890 |
| 12 | Belmont | $3,880 |
| 13 | Boston (this page) | $3,856 |
| 14 | Ashland | $3,780 |
| 15 | Winchester | $3,730 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Boston.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Boston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 3.4 mi | $4,646 | +$790 (+20%) |
| Brookline, MA | 3.8 mi | $4,723 | +$867 (+22%) |
| Somerville, MA | 4.3 mi | $3,977 | +$121 (+3%) |
| Everett, MA | 5.5 mi | $3,110 | $-746 (-19%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 5.7 mi | $3,080 | $-776 (-20%) |
| Quincy, MA | 6.5 mi | $3,320 | $-536 (-14%) |
| Medford, MA | 6.6 mi | $3,730 | $-126 (-3%) |
| Malden, MA | 6.9 mi | $3,460 | $-396 (-10%) |
| Winthrop, MA | 7.9 mi | $3,080 | $-776 (-20%) |
| Belmont, MA | 8.1 mi | $3,880 | +$24 (+1%) |
| Revere, MA | 8.2 mi | $3,080 | $-776 (-20%) |
| Newton, MA | 8.2 mi | $3,695 | $-161 (-4%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Boston — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Boston?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Boston, Massachusetts is $3,856 per month. This is +13% higher than the citywide median of $3,414.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Boston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $154,240 ($12,853/month gross), which works out to roughly $74.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Boston expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Boston's 3-bedroom median of $3,856 is +81% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Boston rank for 3-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 111 cities in Massachusetts with 3-bedroom data, Boston ranks #99 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Boston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Everett ($3,110), Chelsea ($3,080), Quincy ($3,320).