At $2,678/mo, rent takes about 38% 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 $2,678 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 Gloucester changed +6.1% 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 ($83,883) is $2,097 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($2,000); a 1-bedroom is $2,140.
Lynn, 17 miles away, rents for 13% less ($2,342/mo), about $4,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Gloucester. 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
Gloucester, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 40.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Gloucester, MA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $82,984 in 2021 to $83,883 more recently.
Discussions about Gloucester
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Can you afford rent in Gloucester on your salary?
At $2,678/mo, how Gloucester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Gloucester rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Gloucester. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Gloucester
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Gloucester is $2,678/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,080/mo.
At 38% of local median household income ($83,883/yr), Gloucester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Gloucester?
Is rent going up or down in Gloucester?
How does Gloucester rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
At $2,678/mo, rent takes ~38% of Gloucester's median household income ($83,883/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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