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City Report · MA

Gloucester

Pop. 30,075·69th most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,574/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.0%
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
+$609
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gloucester · $2,574
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
37% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,574/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$103,000/yr
Local median income
$83,883/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Gloucester's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,000
1 BR
$2,140
2 BR
$2,550
3 BR
$3,080
4 BR+
$3,390
Research median
$2,550/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$30,888/yr
At $2,574/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 (+1.0% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
30,075
Median income
$83,883
Median age
50.2
Renters
36.1%
Age distribution
15.1%
17.8%
22.4%
16.8%
27.9%
Under 1815.1%
18–3417.8%
35–5422.4%
55–6416.8%
65+27.9%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
89.5%
White89.5%
Black1.5%
Hispanic5.3%
Asian1.7%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
27.7%
25.5%
40.3%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma27.7%
Some college25.5%
Bachelor's+40.3%
Housing tenure
63.9%
36.1%
Owner63.9%
Renter36.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gloucester, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$82,984 → $83,883
up 1.1%
Population
29,814 → 30,075
up 0.9%
Renter share
37.3% → 36.1%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
39.6% → 40.3%
+0.7 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $82,984 in 2021 to $83,883 more recently.

Community

Discussions about Gloucester

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

Can you afford rent in Gloucester on your salary?

At $2,574/mo, how Gloucester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Gloucester rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gloucester

About renting in Gloucester, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Gloucester is $2,574/mo as of July 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 37% of local median household income ($83,883/yr), Gloucester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gloucester an affordable city for renters?

Gloucester is considered moderate for renters. At $2,574/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($83,883/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gloucester slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Gloucester?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $103,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,574/mo in Gloucester. The local median household income is $83,883/yr, meaning the typical Gloucester household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gloucester?

Rent in Gloucester has increased 1.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Gloucester rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Gloucester is middle-of-the-pack for Massachusetts for rent, ranking #69 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,574/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Gloucester?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Gloucester ($2,574/mo): Rockport ($1,795/mo), Ipswich ($2,400/mo).

What percentage of Gloucester residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.1% of Gloucester households are renters, while 63.9% are owner-occupied. Gloucester leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gloucester rent compare to the national average?

Gloucester's median rent of $2,574/mo is $609 (31%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #69 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,574/mo, rent takes ~37% of Gloucester's median household income ($83,883/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gloucester 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Gloucester affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Gloucester, MA

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