How much does it cost to rent in Lawrence, MA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lawrence, MA is $2,347. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lawrence cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Lawrence is among the more affordable cities in Massachusetts, ranking #83 out of 107 cities at $2,347/mo.

When was Lawrence rent data last updated?

Lawrence rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Lawrence a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Lawrence is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · MA

Lawrence

Name: Average Rent Prices in Lawrence, MA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 88,736·83rd most expensive in Massachusetts·Rental market data updated monthly for Lawrence, MA

Median rent (all units)

$2,347/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.7%

vs US Median

+$382

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Lawrence rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lawrence · $2,347

More expensive than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

71/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Lawrence's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,347/mo

Expected by trend

$2,619/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lawrence's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,290

1 BR

$1,450

2 BR

$1,890

3 BR

$2,285

4 BR+

$2,510

Research median

$1,890/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$28,164/yr

At $2,347/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.5% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lawrence, MA is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

88,736

Median income

$60,433

Median age

32.6

Renters

71.9%

Age distribution

26.3%

27%

25.6%

Under 1826.3%

18–3427%

35–5425.6%

55–6410.6%

65+10.5%

Gender

49.1%

50.9%

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

Race & ethnicity

18.9%

83.2%

White18.9%

Black4%

Hispanic83.2%

Asian1.9%

Education (25+)

27.5%

34.1%

21.6%

16.8%

No HS diploma27.5%

HS diploma34.1%

Some college21.6%

Bachelor's+16.8%

Housing tenure

28.1%

71.9%

Owner28.1%

Renter71.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lawrence, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,745 → $2,347

up 34.5%

Income

$47,542 → $60,433

up 27.1%

Population

87,798 → 88,736

up 1.1%

Renter share

70.9% → 71.9%

+1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

13.5% → 16.8%

+3.3 pts

The median rent in Lawrence, MA stood at $1,745 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,347, reflecting a 34.5% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $47,542 to $60,433 between 2021 and 2024, a 27.1% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.1% since 2021, moving from about 87,798 residents to roughly 88,736. College-educated residents now make up 16.8% of adults here, versus 13.5% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Lawrence, MA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Lawrence

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View Lawrence rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lawrence on your salary?

At $2,347/mo, how Lawrence rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 36.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 31.4% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 17.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 38.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 42.8% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 34.7% income

stretched

By apartment size

Lawrence rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lawrence

About renting in Lawrence, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lawrence is $2,347/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,890/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,285/mo.

At 47% of local median household income ($60,433/yr), Lawrence ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lawrence an affordable city for renters?

Lawrence is considered stretched for renters. At $2,347/mo, rent takes approximately 47% of the local median household income ($60,433/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lawrence significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Lawrence?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,347/mo in Lawrence. The local median household income is $60,433/yr, meaning the typical Lawrence household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lawrence?

Rent in Lawrence has decreased 0.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Lawrence neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lawrence are 01841 ($2,245/mo), and 01843 ($2,399/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lawrence is $2,347/mo.

How does Lawrence rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Lawrence is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #83 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,347/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lawrence?

Haverhill is nearby and more affordable at $2,345/mo, which is $2 less than Lawrence.

What percentage of Lawrence residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 71.9% of Lawrence households are renters, while 28.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Lawrence has a strong rental market.

How does Lawrence rent compare to the national average?

Lawrence's median rent of $2,347/mo is $382 (19%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #83 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

47%

STRETCHED

At $2,347/mo, rent takes ~47% of Lawrence's median household income ($60,433/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lawrence 47%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Lawrence affordability calculator →

Nearby cities