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City Report · MA

Melrose

Pop. 29,650·27th most expensive in Massachusetts·Melrose rents are up 16.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,026/mo
Year-over-Year
+16.6%
Month-over-Month
+0.4%
vs US Median
+$1,061
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Melrose · $3,026
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
46/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Melrose's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$3,026/mo
Expected by trend
$2,970/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Melrose's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,190
1 BR
$2,310
2 BR
$2,740
3 BR
$3,300
4 BR+
$3,630
Research median
$2,740/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
$36,312/yr
At $3,026/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 16.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+16.6% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Melrose, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 62% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,650
Median income
$133,953
Median age
43.6
Renters
32.8%
Age distribution
20.2%
15.3%
31.4%
12.6%
20.6%
Under 1820.2%
18–3415.3%
35–5431.4%
55–6412.6%
65+20.6%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
77.9%
White77.9%
Black1.6%
Hispanic5.2%
Asian11%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
17.6%
15.7%
62%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma17.6%
Some college15.7%
Bachelor's+62%
Housing tenure
67.2%
32.8%
Owner67.2%
Renter32.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Melrose, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,073 → $3,026
up 46.0%
Income
$125,229 → $133,953
up 7.0%
Population
29,567 → 29,650
up 0.3%
Renter share
33.5% → 32.8%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
61.9% → 62%
+0.1 pts
Median age
42.1 → 43.6
+1.5 yrs

Rent in Melrose, MA has increased 46.0% since 2021, going from about $2,073 per month to roughly $3,026 today. Census figures show median household income at $133,953 today, compared with $125,229 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 39.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Melrose on your salary?

At $3,026/mo, how Melrose rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Melrose rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Melrose

About renting in Melrose, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Melrose is $3,026/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,190/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,740/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,310/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,300/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($133,953/yr), Melrose ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Melrose an affordable city for renters?

Melrose is considered affordable for renters. At $3,026/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($133,953/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Melrose falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Melrose?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $121,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,026/mo in Melrose. The local median household income is $133,953/yr, meaning the typical Melrose household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Melrose?

Rent in Melrose has increased 16.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Melrose rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Melrose is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #27 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,026/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Melrose?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Melrose ($3,026/mo): Malden ($2,803/mo), Everett ($2,815/mo), Wakefield ($2,824/mo).

What percentage of Melrose residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.8% of Melrose households are renters, while 67.2% are owner-occupied. Melrose leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Melrose rent compare to the national average?

Melrose's median rent of $3,026/mo is $1,061 (54%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #27 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,026/mo, rent takes ~27% of Melrose's median household income ($133,953/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Melrose 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Melrose affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Melrose, MA

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