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City Report · MA

Gloucester

Pop. 30,075·63rd most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,709/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.1%
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
+$747
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gloucester · $2,709
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,709/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$108,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,550/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,709 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$32,508/yr
At $2,709/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.1% YoY, +5.2% 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 $2,709/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Gloucester is $2,709/mo as of August 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 39% of local median household income ($83,883/yr), Gloucester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gloucester an affordable city for renters?

Gloucester is considered moderate for renters. At $2,709/mo, rent takes approximately 39% 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 $108,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,709/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 4.1% over the past year as of August 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 #63 out of 112 tracked cities at $2,709/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Gloucester?

Ipswich is nearby and more affordable at $2,448/mo, which is $261 less than Gloucester.

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 $2,709/mo is $747 (38%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #63 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $2,709/mo, rent takes ~39% of Gloucester's median household income ($83,883/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gloucester 39%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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