Studio Apartment Rent in Brookline, MA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Brookline, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $3,523 and +143% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Brookline
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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Brookline
Compare Brookline's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $970 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $970 |
| 3 | Westfield | $1,000 |
| 4 | Gardner | $1,010 |
| 5 | New Bedford | $1,030 |
| 6 | Springfield | $1,055 |
| 7 | Fitchburg | $1,080 |
| 8 | Pittsfield | $1,120 |
| 9 | Spencer | $1,160 |
| 10 | Webster | $1,160 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,170 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,190 |
| 13 | Lawrence | $1,290 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,300 |
| 15 | Amherst | $1,330 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,360 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,180 |
| 3 | Brookline (this page) | $3,133 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,080 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,780 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,690 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,633 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,580 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,580 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,570 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,544 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,500 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,470 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,470 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,470 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Brookline.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Brookline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 3.7 mi | $3,080 | $-53 (-2%) |
| Boston, MA | 3.8 mi | $2,544 | $-589 (-19%) |
| Newton, MA | 4.6 mi | $2,445 | $-688 (-22%) |
| Somerville, MA | 4.9 mi | $2,633 | $-500 (-16%) |
| Belmont, MA | 5.5 mi | $2,570 | $-563 (-18%) |
| Dedham, MA | 6.3 mi | $2,300 | $-833 (-27%) |
| Arlington, MA | 6.6 mi | $2,200 | $-933 (-30%) |
| Medford, MA | 6.9 mi | $2,470 | $-663 (-21%) |
| Everett, MA | 7.8 mi | $2,060 | $-1,073 (-34%) |
| Waltham, MA | 8 mi | $2,463 | $-670 (-21%) |
| Winchester, MA | 8.6 mi | $2,470 | $-663 (-21%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 8.7 mi | $2,000 | $-1,133 (-36%) |
Studio rent in Brookline — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Brookline?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Brookline, Massachusetts is $3,133 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $3,523.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Brookline?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $125,320 ($10,443/month gross), which works out to roughly $60.25/hour at a full-time job.
Is Brookline expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Brookline's studio median of $3,133 is +143% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Brookline rank for studio rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with studio data, Brookline ranks #104 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Brookline?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Cambridge ($3,080), Boston ($2,544), Newton ($2,445).