2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Melrose, MA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Melrose, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +9% lower than the citywide median of $3,026 and +66% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Melrose
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 2-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Melrose
Compare Melrose's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Bedford | $1,380 |
| 2 | Chicopee | $1,390 |
| 3 | Holyoke | $1,390 |
| 4 | Westfield | $1,440 |
| 5 | Gardner | $1,470 |
| 6 | Spencer | $1,500 |
| 7 | Webster | $1,500 |
| 8 | Springfield | $1,510 |
| 9 | Fall River | $1,530 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | $1,570 |
| 11 | Pittsfield | $1,630 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,740 |
| 13 | Attleboro | $1,800 |
| 14 | Clinton | $1,820 |
| 15 | Worcester | $1,878 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $4,210 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,990 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,923 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,858 |
| 5 | Concord | $3,480 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $3,370 |
| 7 | Westford | $3,360 |
| 8 | Somerville | $3,303 |
| 9 | Tewksbury | $3,250 |
| 10 | Burlington | $3,240 |
| 11 | Bedford | $3,230 |
| 12 | Belmont | $3,220 |
| 13 | Boston | $3,200 |
| 14 | Ashland | $3,140 |
| 15 | Winchester | $3,100 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Melrose.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Melrose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malden, MA | 1.8 mi | $2,870 | +$130 (+5%) |
| Saugus, MA | 3.2 mi | $2,550 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Wakefield, MA | 3.2 mi | $2,550 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Everett, MA | 3.4 mi | $2,580 | $-160 (-6%) |
| Medford, MA | 4 mi | $3,100 | +$360 (+13%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 4.5 mi | $2,550 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Revere, MA | 4.7 mi | $2,550 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Somerville, MA | 5.4 mi | $3,303 | +$563 (+21%) |
| Winchester, MA | 5.9 mi | $3,100 | +$360 (+13%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 6.6 mi | $3,858 | +$1,118 (+41%) |
| Woburn, MA | 7 mi | $2,950 | +$210 (+8%) |
| Lynn, MA | 7.2 mi | $2,550 | $-190 (-7%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Melrose — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Melrose?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Melrose, Massachusetts is $2,740 per month. This is +9% below the citywide median of $3,026.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Melrose?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $109,600 ($9,133/month gross), which works out to roughly $52.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Melrose expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Melrose's 2-bedroom median of $2,740 is +66% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 91th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Melrose rank for 2-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 2-bedroom data, Melrose ranks #72 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Melrose?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Saugus ($2,550), Wakefield ($2,550), Everett ($2,580).