City Report · MA

Dedham

Pop. 25,237·19th most expensive in Massachusetts·Dedham rents are up 7.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,121/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.5%
Month-over-Month
-3.3%
vs US Median
+$1,159
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dedham · $3,121
More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,121/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$125,000/yr
Local median income
$128,955/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Dedham's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,300
1 BR
$2,430
2 BR
$2,880
3 BR
$3,470
4 BR+
$3,820
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,880/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,121 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$37,452/yr
At $3,121/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.5% YoY, -3.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
25,237
Median income
$128,955
Median age
44.6
Renters
26.6%
Age distribution
18.6%
18.1%
27.4%
14%
21.9%
Under 1818.6%
18–3418.1%
35–5427.4%
55–6414%
65+21.9%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
80%
White80%
Black6.6%
Hispanic7.9%
Asian2.8%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
20.1%
18.3%
55%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma20.1%
Some college18.3%
Bachelor's+55%
Housing tenure
73.4%
26.6%
Owner73.4%
Renter26.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Dedham, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,726 → $3,121
up 14.5%
Income
$108,047 → $128,955
up 19.4%
Population
25,308 → 25,237
down 0.3%
Renter share
29% → 26.6%
-2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
55.3% → 55%
-0.3 pts
Median age
43.1 → 44.6
+1.5 yrs

Rent in Dedham, MA has increased 14.5% since 2023, going from about $2,726 per month to roughly $3,121 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 4.9 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.

Community

Discussions about Dedham

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View Dedham rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Dedham on your salary?

At $3,121/mo, how Dedham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dedham rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dedham

About renting in Dedham, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Dedham is $3,121/mo as of August 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 29% of local median household income ($128,955/yr), Dedham ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dedham an affordable city for renters?

Dedham is considered affordable for renters. At $3,121/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($128,955/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dedham falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Dedham?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $125,000/year (~$60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,121/mo in Dedham. The local median household income is $128,955/yr, meaning the typical Dedham household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dedham?

Rent in Dedham has increased 7.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Dedham rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Dedham is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #19 out of 112 tracked cities at $3,121/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dedham?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dedham ($3,121/mo): Norwood ($2,519/mo), Canton ($2,905/mo).

What percentage of Dedham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.6% of Dedham households are renters, while 73.4% are owner-occupied. Dedham leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dedham rent compare to the national average?

Dedham's median rent of $3,121/mo is $1,159 (59%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #19 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,121/mo, rent takes ~29% of Dedham's median household income ($128,955/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dedham 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Dedham affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Dedham, MA

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