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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Medford, MA is $3,419. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Medford cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Medford is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts, ranking #11 out of 107 cities tracked at $3,419/mo.

When was Medford rent data last updated?

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

City Report · MA

Medford

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

Pop. 59,354·11th most expensive in Massachusetts·Medford rents are up 8.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,419/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

+$1,454

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Medford · $3,419

More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

46/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% above what Medford's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$3,419/mo

Expected by trend

$3,344/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,470

1 BR

$2,620

2 BR

$3,100

3 BR

$3,730

4 BR+

$4,110

Research median

$3,100/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

$41,028/yr

At $3,419/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.8% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Medford, MA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 59.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

59,354

Median income

$129,540

Median age

35.9

Renters

45.9%

Age distribution

12.7%

35.6%

25.4%

15.2%

Under 1812.7%

18–3435.6%

35–5425.4%

55–6411.2%

65+15.2%

Gender

47.7%

52.3%

Male47.7%

Female52.3%

Race & ethnicity

67.9%

13.1%

White67.9%

Black6.7%

Hispanic8.7%

Asian13.1%

Other3.6%

Education (25+)

18.1%

15.8%

59.8%

No HS diploma6.4%

HS diploma18.1%

Some college15.8%

Bachelor's+59.8%

Housing tenure

54.1%

45.9%

Owner54.1%

Renter45.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Medford, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,361 → $3,419

up 44.8%

Income

$107,853 → $129,540

up 20.1%

Population

60,708 → 59,354

down 2.2%

Renter share

45.5% → 45.9%

+0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

55.7% → 59.8%

+4.1 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Medford, MA has shifted from $2,361 to $3,419, up 44.8% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $107,853 to $129,540 across the same window, up 20.1% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Medford, MA losing about 1,354 residents over the five-year window, down 2.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 55.7% to 59.8% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Medford, MA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Medford

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View Medford rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Medford on your salary?

At $3,419/mo, how Medford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 37.4% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 52.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 45.8% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 25.6% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 20% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 56.3% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 62.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 50.6% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Medford rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Medford

About renting in Medford, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Medford is $3,419/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,470/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,100/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,620/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,730/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($129,540/yr), Medford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Medford an affordable city for renters?

Medford is considered moderate for renters. At $3,419/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($129,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Medford slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Medford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $137,000/year (~$66/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,419/mo in Medford. The local median household income is $129,540/yr, meaning the typical Medford household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Medford?

Rent in Medford has increased 8.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Medford rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Medford is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #11 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,419/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Medford?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Medford ($3,419/mo): Malden ($2,803/mo), Stoneham ($3,086/mo).

What percentage of Medford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.9% of Medford households are renters, while 54.1% are owner-occupied. Medford leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Medford rent compare to the national average?

Medford's median rent of $3,419/mo is $1,454 (74%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #11 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $3,419/mo, rent takes ~32% of Medford's median household income ($129,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Medford 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Medford affordability calculator →

Nearby cities