RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · MA

Gardner

Pop. 21,148·112th most expensive in Massachusetts·Gardner rents are up 10.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,565/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.1%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
-$397
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Gardner rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gardner · $1,565
More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,565/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$67,518/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Gardner's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,010
1 BR
$1,180
2 BR
$1,470
3 BR
$1,920
4 BR+
$2,190
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,470/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,565 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$18,780/yr
At $1,565/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (10.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.1% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Gardner, MA is majority owner-occupied, 23.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,148
Median income
$67,518
Median age
43.7
Renters
41.1%
Age distribution
18.3%
20%
25.3%
16.8%
19.6%
Under 1818.3%
18–3420%
35–5425.3%
55–6416.8%
65+19.6%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
79.6%
White79.6%
Black4.1%
Hispanic10.7%
Asian2.4%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
13%
35.1%
28.1%
23.8%
No HS diploma13%
HS diploma35.1%
Some college28.1%
Bachelor's+23.8%
Housing tenure
58.9%
41.1%
Owner58.9%
Renter41.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gardner, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$52,770 → $67,518
up 27.9%
Population
21,183 → 21,148
down 0.2%
Renter share
43.1% → 41.1%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
18.9% → 23.8%
+4.9 pts
Median age
44.3 → 43.7
-0.6 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Gardner

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Gardner on your salary?

At $1,565/mo, how Gardner rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Gardner rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gardner

About renting in Gardner, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Gardner is $1,565/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($67,518/yr), Gardner ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gardner an affordable city for renters?

Gardner is considered affordable for renters. At $1,565/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($67,518/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gardner falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Gardner?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,565/mo in Gardner. The local median household income is $67,518/yr, meaning the typical Gardner household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gardner?

Rent in Gardner has increased 10.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Gardner rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Gardner is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #112 out of 112 tracked cities at $1,565/mo.

What percentage of Gardner residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.1% of Gardner households are renters, while 58.9% are owner-occupied. Gardner leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gardner rent compare to the national average?

Gardner's median rent of $1,565/mo is $397 (20%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #112 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,565/mo, rent takes ~28% of Gardner's median household income ($67,518/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gardner 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Gardner affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Gardner
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Gardner, MA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Gardner.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google