At $1,676/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above 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 $1,676 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 Gardner changed +3.2% 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 ($67,518) is $1,688 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,470); a 3-bedroom is $1,920.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Gardner. 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
Gardner, MA is majority owner-occupied, 23.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Gardner, MA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $67,518 today, compared with $52,770 five years earlier. Renters now make up 41.1% of households, compared with 43.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 23.8% of adults here, versus 18.9% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Gardner on your salary?
At $1,676/mo, how Gardner rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Gardner rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Gardner. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Gardner
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Gardner is $1,676/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,920/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($67,518/yr), Gardner ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Gardner?
How does Gardner rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
At $1,676/mo, rent takes ~30% of Gardner's median household income ($67,518/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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