Studio Apartment Rent in Melrose, MA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Melrose, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $3,026 and +70% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Melrose
Compare Melrose's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $970 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $970 |
| 3 | Westfield | $1,000 |
| 4 | Gardner | $1,010 |
| 5 | New Bedford | $1,030 |
| 6 | Springfield | $1,055 |
| 7 | Fitchburg | $1,080 |
| 8 | Pittsfield | $1,120 |
| 9 | Spencer | $1,160 |
| 10 | Webster | $1,160 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,170 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,190 |
| 13 | Lawrence | $1,290 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,300 |
| 15 | Amherst | $1,330 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,360 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,180 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,133 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,080 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,780 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,690 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,633 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,580 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,580 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,570 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,544 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,500 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,470 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,470 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,470 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Melrose.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Melrose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malden, MA | 1.8 mi | $2,290 | +$100 (+5%) |
| Saugus, MA | 3.2 mi | $2,000 | $-190 (-9%) |
| Wakefield, MA | 3.2 mi | $2,000 | $-190 (-9%) |
| Everett, MA | 3.4 mi | $2,060 | $-130 (-6%) |
| Medford, MA | 4 mi | $2,470 | +$280 (+13%) |
| Chelsea, MA | 4.5 mi | $2,000 | $-190 (-9%) |
| Revere, MA | 4.7 mi | $2,000 | $-190 (-9%) |
| Somerville, MA | 5.4 mi | $2,633 | +$443 (+20%) |
| Winchester, MA | 5.9 mi | $2,470 | +$280 (+13%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 6.6 mi | $3,080 | +$890 (+41%) |
| Woburn, MA | 7 mi | $2,350 | +$160 (+7%) |
| Lynn, MA | 7.2 mi | $2,000 | $-190 (-9%) |
Studio rent in Melrose — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Melrose?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Melrose, Massachusetts is $2,190 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $3,026.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Melrose?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,600 ($7,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $42.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Melrose expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Melrose's studio median of $2,190 is +70% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Melrose rank for studio rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with studio data, Melrose ranks #73 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Melrose?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Saugus ($2,000), Wakefield ($2,000), Everett ($2,060).