Rents are 7% below what Fitchburg's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,859 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 Fitchburg is 2.9% below its high of $1,915 in January 2026, at $1,859 as of September 2026.
Rent in Fitchburg changed +0.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 89 Massachusetts cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.
Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($73,040) is $1,826 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,570); a 3-bedroom is $2,050.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Fitchburg. 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
Fitchburg, MA is roughly split between renters and owners, 25.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fitchburg, MA has changed in 5 years
Since 2023, the typical rent in Fitchburg, MA has increased from $1,607 to $1,859, a 15.7% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $73,040 today, compared with $60,466 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. Renters now make up 45.9% of households, compared with 43.9% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.
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Can you afford rent in Fitchburg on your salary?
At $1,859/mo, how Fitchburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fitchburg rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fitchburg. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fitchburg
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Fitchburg is $1,859/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,570/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,260/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($73,040/yr), Fitchburg ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Fitchburg?
Is rent going up or down in Fitchburg?
How does Fitchburg rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fitchburg?
At $1,859/mo, rent takes ~31% of Fitchburg's median household income ($73,040/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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