City Report · MA

Holyoke

Pop. 37,813·107th most expensive in Massachusetts·Holyoke rents are up 9.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,796/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.0%
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
-$166
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Holyoke · $1,796
More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
40% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,796/mo, rent takes about 40% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$72,000/yr
Local median income
$53,605/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Holyoke's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$1,120
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,690
4 BR+
$1,890
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,390/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,796 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
$21,552/yr
At $1,796/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.0% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Holyoke, MA is majority renter-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 25.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,813
Median income
$53,605
Median age
40
Renters
58.7%
Age distribution
21.4%
22.9%
23.2%
12.4%
20.1%
Under 1821.4%
18–3422.9%
35–5423.2%
55–6412.4%
65+20.1%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
53.1%
52.4%
White53.1%
Black3.4%
Hispanic52.4%
Asian1.3%
Education (25+)
21.3%
28.9%
23.8%
25.9%
No HS diploma21.3%
HS diploma28.9%
Some college23.8%
Bachelor's+25.9%
Housing tenure
41.3%
58.7%
Owner41.3%
Renter58.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Holyoke, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$45,045 → $53,605
up 19.0%
Population
38,480 → 37,813
down 1.7%
Renter share
60.4% → 58.7%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
22% → 25.9%
+3.9 pts
Median age
36.5 → 40
+3.5 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Holyoke, MA now reports about $53,605, up from $45,045 in 2021. The population has contracted by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 38,480 residents to roughly 37,813. Renters now make up 58.7% of households, compared with 60.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 25.9% of adults here, versus 22% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Holyoke on your salary?

At $1,796/mo, how Holyoke rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Holyoke rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Holyoke

About renting in Holyoke, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Holyoke is $1,796/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,690/mo.

At 40% of local median household income ($53,605/yr), Holyoke ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Holyoke an affordable city for renters?

Holyoke is considered moderate for renters. At $1,796/mo, rent takes approximately 40% of the local median household income ($53,605/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Holyoke slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Holyoke?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,796/mo in Holyoke. The local median household income is $53,605/yr, meaning the typical Holyoke household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Holyoke?

Rent in Holyoke has increased 9.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Holyoke rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Holyoke is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #107 out of 112 tracked cities at $1,796/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Holyoke?

Chicopee is nearby and more affordable at $1,661/mo, which is $135 less than Holyoke.

What percentage of Holyoke residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.7% of Holyoke households are renters, while 41.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Holyoke has a strong rental market.

How does Holyoke rent compare to the national average?

Holyoke's median rent of $1,796/mo is $166 (8%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #107 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
40%
MODERATE

At $1,796/mo, rent takes ~40% of Holyoke's median household income ($53,605/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Holyoke 40%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Holyoke affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Holyoke, MA

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