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

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Malden, MA is $2,933. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Malden cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Malden is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts, ranking #34 out of 112 cities tracked at $2,933/mo.

When was Malden rent data last updated?

Malden rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Malden, MA?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Malden, MA at $2,870 per month, which is 2% below the $2,933 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · MA

Malden

Name: Average Rent Prices in Malden, MA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 65,906·34th most expensive in Massachusetts·Malden rents are up 10.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,933/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.1%

Month-over-Month

+4.6%

vs US Median

+$971

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Malden rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Malden · $2,933

More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

44/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Malden's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,933/mo

Expected by trend

$2,847/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,290

1 BR

$2,420

2 BR

$2,870

3 BR

$3,460

4 BR+

$3,810

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$2,870/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,933 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$35,196/yr

At $2,933/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.1% YoY, +4.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Malden, MA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 45.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

65,906

Median income

$100,606

Median age

35.8

Renters

58.7%

Age distribution

18.2%

30.6%

27.5%

13%

Under 1818.2%

18–3430.6%

35–5427.5%

55–6410.7%

65+13%

Gender

50.8%

49.2%

Male50.8%

Female49.2%

Race & ethnicity

40.2%

13.7%

28.1%

White40.2%

Black13.7%

Hispanic9.5%

Asian28.1%

Other8.6%

Education (25+)

14%

22.1%

18.8%

45.1%

No HS diploma14%

HS diploma22.1%

Some college18.8%

Bachelor's+45.1%

Housing tenure

41.3%

58.7%

Owner41.3%

Renter58.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Malden, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,960 → $2,933

up 49.6%

Income

$77,119 → $100,606

up 30.5%

Population

65,602 → 65,906

up 0.5%

Renter share

58.4% → 58.7%

+0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

43% → 45.1%

+2.1 pts

Median age

34.9 → 35.8

+0.9 yrs

The median rent in Malden, MA stood at $1,960 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,933, reflecting a 49.6% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Malden, MA now reports about $100,606, up from $77,119 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 45.1% of adults here, versus 43% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Malden, MA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Malden

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View Malden rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Malden on your salary?

At $2,933/mo, how Malden rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 32.1% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 45.2% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 39.3% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 17.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 48.3% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 53.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 43.4% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Malden rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Malden

About renting in Malden, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Malden is $2,933/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,870/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,420/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,460/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($100,606/yr), Malden ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Malden an affordable city for renters?

Malden is considered moderate for renters. At $2,933/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($100,606/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Malden slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Malden?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $117,000/year (~$56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,933/mo in Malden. The local median household income is $100,606/yr, meaning the typical Malden household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Malden?

Rent in Malden has increased 10.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Malden rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Malden is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #34 out of 112 tracked cities at $2,933/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Malden?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Malden ($2,933/mo): Chelsea ($2,643/mo), Everett ($2,788/mo), Revere ($2,828/mo).

What percentage of Malden residents rent vs. own?

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

How does Malden rent compare to the national average?

Malden's median rent of $2,933/mo is $971 (49%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #34 out of 112 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

35%

MODERATE

At $2,933/mo, rent takes ~35% of Malden's median household income ($100,606/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Malden 35%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Malden affordability calculator →

Nearby cities