Studio Apartment Rent in Needham, MA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Needham, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $3,155 and +76% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Needham
Compare Needham'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? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Needham.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Needham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellesley, MA | 3.1 mi | $3,180 | +$910 (+40%) |
| Newton, MA | 4.4 mi | $2,445 | +$175 (+8%) |
| Dedham, MA | 5.2 mi | $2,300 | +$30 (+1%) |
| Waltham, MA | 6 mi | $2,463 | +$193 (+9%) |
| Brookline, MA | 6.9 mi | $3,133 | +$863 (+38%) |
| Belmont, MA | 7.5 mi | $2,570 | +$300 (+13%) |
| Natick, MA | 8.1 mi | $2,220 | $-50 (-2%) |
| Norwood, MA | 8.1 mi | $2,160 | $-110 (-5%) |
| Arlington, MA | 9.4 mi | $2,200 | $-70 (-3%) |
| Lexington, MA | 9.6 mi | $3,360 | +$1,090 (+48%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 10 mi | $3,080 | +$810 (+36%) |
| Boston, MA | 10.6 mi | $2,544 | +$274 (+12%) |
Studio rent in Needham — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Needham?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Needham, Massachusetts is $2,270 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $3,155.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Needham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $90,800 ($7,567/month gross), which works out to roughly $43.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Needham expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Needham's studio median of $2,270 is +76% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Needham rank for studio rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with studio data, Needham ranks #78 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Needham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Natick ($2,220), Norwood ($2,160), Arlington ($2,200).