Rents are right about where Burlington's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,153 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Burlington is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2023.
Rent in Burlington changed +3.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 89 Massachusetts cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($146,436) is $3,661 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,240); a 3-bedroom is $3,900.
Billerica, 6 miles away, rents for 13% less ($2,751/mo), about $4,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Burlington. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Burlington, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 58.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Burlington, MA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Burlington, MA paid around $2,908 a month. That figure now sits near $3,153, up 8.4% from the 2023 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Burlington, MA now reports about $146,436, up from $124,755 in 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Burlington, MA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Burlington on your salary?
At $3,153/mo, how Burlington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Burlington rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Burlington. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Burlington
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Burlington is $3,153/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,580/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,240/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,900/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($146,436/yr), Burlington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Burlington?
Is rent going up or down in Burlington?
How does Burlington rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Burlington?
At $3,153/mo, rent takes ~26% of Burlington's median household income ($146,436/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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