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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Brookline, MA is $3,523. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Brookline cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Brookline is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts, ranking #9 out of 107 cities tracked at $3,523/mo.

When was Brookline rent data last updated?

Brookline 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

Brookline

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

Pop. 63,266·9th most expensive in Massachusetts·Brookline rents have dropped 13.0%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$3,523/mo

Year-over-Year

-13.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

+$1,558

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Brookline · $3,523

More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

56/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Brookline's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,523/mo

Expected by trend

$3,629/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Brookline's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,133

1 BR

$3,310

2 BR

$3,923

3 BR

$4,723

4 BR+

$5,200

Research median

$3,923/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$42,276/yr

At $3,523/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 13.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-13.0% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Brookline, MA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 85.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

63,266

Median income

$142,101

Median age

35.2

Renters

53.1%

Age distribution

18.7%

31.1%

24%

15.8%

Under 1818.7%

18–3431.1%

35–5424%

55–6410.4%

65+15.8%

Gender

45.3%

54.7%

Male45.3%

Female54.7%

Race & ethnicity

65.1%

19.3%

White65.1%

Black3.1%

Hispanic6.2%

Asian19.3%

Other6.2%

Education (25+)

85.4%

No HS diploma2.4%

HS diploma4.8%

Some college7.4%

Bachelor's+85.4%

Housing tenure

46.9%

53.1%

Owner46.9%

Renter53.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Brookline, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,796 → $3,523

up 26.0%

Income

$122,356 → $142,101

up 16.1%

Population

62,620 → 63,266

up 1.0%

Renter share

51.7% → 53.1%

+1.4 pts

Bachelor's+

84.4% → 85.4%

+1.0 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Brookline, MA has shifted from $2,796 to $3,523, up 26.0% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $122,356 to $142,101 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.1% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Brookline, MA adding about 646 residents over the five-year window, up 1.0% on net. Taken together, the five-year picture in Brookline, MA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Brookline

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View Brookline rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brookline on your salary?

At $3,523/mo, how Brookline rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 38.6% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 54.3% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 47.2% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 26.4% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 20.7% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 58% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 64.3% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 52.1% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Brookline rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Brookline. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brookline

About renting in Brookline, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Brookline is $3,523/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $3,133/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,923/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,310/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,723/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($142,101/yr), Brookline ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 13.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brookline an affordable city for renters?

Brookline is considered moderate for renters. At $3,523/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($142,101/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brookline slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Brookline?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $141,000/year (~$68/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,523/mo in Brookline. The local median household income is $142,101/yr, meaning the typical Brookline household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brookline?

Rent in Brookline has decreased 13.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Brookline neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Brookline are 02446 ($3,560/mo), 02467 ($3,589/mo), and 02445 ($3,690/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Brookline is $3,523/mo.

How does Brookline rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Brookline is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #9 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,523/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brookline?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brookline ($3,523/mo): Watertown ($3,124/mo), Boston ($3,469/mo).

What percentage of Brookline residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.1% of Brookline households are renters, while 46.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Brookline has a strong rental market.

How does Brookline rent compare to the national average?

Brookline's median rent of $3,523/mo is $1,558 (79%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #9 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

30%

MODERATE

At $3,523/mo, rent takes ~30% of Brookline's median household income ($142,101/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brookline 30%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Brookline affordability calculator →

Nearby cities