At $2,913/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
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 $2,913 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 Dedham is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.
Rent in Dedham changed +7.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 89 Massachusetts cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($128,955) is $3,224 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,880); a 3-bedroom is $3,470.
Norwood, 4 miles away, rents for 11% less ($2,579/mo), about $4,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Dedham. 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
Dedham, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 55% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Dedham, MA has changed in 5 years
Rent in Dedham, MA has increased 6.9% since 2023, going from about $2,726 per month to roughly $2,913 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Dedham, MA now reports about $128,955, up from $108,047 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 12.5 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. About 26.6% of households rent today, against 29% in 2021. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Dedham, MA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Dedham on your salary?
At $2,913/mo, how Dedham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Dedham rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Dedham. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Dedham
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Dedham is $2,913/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,300/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,470/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($128,955/yr), Dedham ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Dedham?
Is rent going up or down in Dedham?
How does Dedham rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dedham?
At $2,913/mo, rent takes ~27% of Dedham's median household income ($128,955/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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