1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Needham, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Needham, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $3,155 and +72% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Needham
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Needham
Compare Needham's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $1,120 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $1,120 |
| 3 | New Bedford | $1,120 |
| 4 | Westfield | $1,160 |
| 5 | Spencer | $1,170 |
| 6 | Webster | $1,170 |
| 7 | Gardner | $1,180 |
| 8 | Springfield | $1,215 |
| 9 | Fall River | $1,260 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | $1,260 |
| 11 | Pittsfield | $1,280 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,390 |
| 13 | Clinton | $1,410 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,447 |
| 15 | Lawrence | $1,450 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,550 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,370 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,310 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,254 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,940 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,840 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,787 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,730 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,730 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,720 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,698 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,650 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,620 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,620 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,620 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Needham.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Needham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellesley, MA | 3.1 mi | $3,370 | +$970 (+40%) |
| Newton, MA | 4.4 mi | $2,590 | +$190 (+8%) |
| Dedham, MA | 5.2 mi | $2,430 | +$30 (+1%) |
| Waltham, MA | 6 mi | $2,603 | +$203 (+8%) |
| Brookline, MA | 6.9 mi | $3,310 | +$910 (+38%) |
| Belmont, MA | 7.5 mi | $2,720 | +$320 (+13%) |
| Natick, MA | 8.1 mi | $2,350 | $-50 (-2%) |
| Norwood, MA | 8.1 mi | $2,290 | $-110 (-5%) |
| Arlington, MA | 9.4 mi | $2,325 | $-75 (-3%) |
| Lexington, MA | 9.6 mi | $3,550 | +$1,150 (+48%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 10 mi | $3,254 | +$854 (+36%) |
| Boston, MA | 10.6 mi | $2,698 | +$298 (+12%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Needham — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Needham?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Needham, Massachusetts is $2,400 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $3,155.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Needham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $96,000 ($8,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Needham expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Needham's 1-bedroom median of $2,400 is +72% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Needham rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Needham ranks #77 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Needham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Natick ($2,350), Norwood ($2,290), Arlington ($2,325).