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City Report · MA

Marblehead

Pop. 20,413·36th most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,900/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.3%
Month-over-Month
+9.1%
vs US Median
+$935
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Marblehead · $2,900
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,900/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$116,000/yr
Local median income
$182,132/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Marblehead's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,020
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
$34,800/yr
At $2,900/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, +9.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Marblehead, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 78.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,413
Median income
$182,132
Median age
49.1
Renters
14.8%
Age distribution
22.3%
12.2%
26%
16.8%
22.7%
Under 1822.3%
18–3412.2%
35–5426%
55–6416.8%
65+22.7%
Gender
47.1%
52.9%
Male47.1%
Female52.9%
Race & ethnicity
93.3%
White93.3%
Black0.6%
Hispanic2%
Asian1.4%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
13.6%
78.3%
No HS diploma0.8%
HS diploma7.4%
Some college13.6%
Bachelor's+78.3%
Housing tenure
85.2%
14.8%
Owner85.2%
Renter14.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Marblehead, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$154,049 → $182,132
up 18.2%
Population
20,397 → 20,413
up 0.1%
Renter share
18.9% → 14.8%
-4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
77.2% → 78.3%
+1.1 pts
Median age
48.1 → 49.1
+1.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $182,132 today, compared with $154,049 five years earlier. The renter share has eased from 18.9% to 14.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Marblehead on your salary?

At $2,900/mo, how Marblehead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Marblehead rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Marblehead

About renting in Marblehead, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Marblehead is $2,900/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,020/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 19% of local median household income ($182,132/yr), Marblehead ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Marblehead an affordable city for renters?

Marblehead is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,900/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($182,132/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Marblehead falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Marblehead?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $116,000/year (~$56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,900/mo in Marblehead. The local median household income is $182,132/yr, meaning the typical Marblehead household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Marblehead?

Rent in Marblehead has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Marblehead rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Marblehead is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #36 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,900/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Marblehead?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Marblehead ($2,900/mo): Lynn ($2,300/mo), Salem ($2,742/mo), Swampscott ($2,764/mo).

What percentage of Marblehead residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 14.8% of Marblehead households are renters, while 85.2% are owner-occupied. Marblehead leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Marblehead rent compare to the national average?

Marblehead's median rent of $2,900/mo is $935 (48%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #36 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,900/mo, rent takes ~19% of Marblehead's median household income ($182,132/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Marblehead 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Marblehead affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Marblehead, MA

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