RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · MA

Newton

Pop. 89,044·4th most expensive in Massachusetts·Newton rents are up 11.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,685/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.1%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$1,720
Stable (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Newton rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Newton · $3,685
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
43/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Newton's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$3,685/mo
Expected by trend
$3,560/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Newton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,445
1 BR
$2,590
2 BR
$3,065
3 BR
$3,695
4 BR+
$4,065
Research median
$3,065/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$44,220/yr
At $3,685/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.1% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Newton, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 81.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
89,044
Median income
$190,304
Median age
42.1
Renters
30%
Age distribution
20.5%
21.7%
26.1%
12.5%
19.1%
Under 1820.5%
18–3421.7%
35–5426.1%
55–6412.5%
65+19.1%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
69.4%
17.5%
White69.4%
Black2.4%
Hispanic4.5%
Asian17.5%
Other6.2%
Education (25+)
81.1%
No HS diploma2.7%
HS diploma6.2%
Some college10%
Bachelor's+81.1%
Housing tenure
70%
30%
Owner70%
Renter30%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Newton, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,640 → $3,685
up 39.6%
Income
$164,607 → $190,304
up 15.6%
Population
88,647 → 89,044
up 0.4%
Renter share
28.2% → 30%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
80.2% → 81.1%
+0.9 pts
Median age
40.9 → 42.1
+1.2 yrs

Rent in Newton, MA has increased 39.6% since 2021, going from about $2,640 per month to roughly $3,685 today. Census figures show median household income at $190,304 today, compared with $164,607 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 24.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 30% of households rent today, against 28.2% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Newton

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Newton on your salary?

At $3,685/mo, how Newton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Newton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Newton

About renting in Newton, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Newton is $3,685/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,445/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,065/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,590/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,695/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($190,304/yr), Newton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Newton an affordable city for renters?

Newton is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,685/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($190,304/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Newton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Newton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $147,000/year (~$71/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,685/mo in Newton. The local median household income is $190,304/yr, meaning the typical Newton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Newton?

Rent in Newton has increased 11.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Newton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Newton are 02458 ($3,405/mo), and 02460 ($3,606/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Newton is $3,685/mo.

How does Newton rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Newton is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #4 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,685/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Newton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Newton ($3,685/mo): Waltham ($3,042/mo), Watertown ($3,124/mo), Needham ($3,155/mo).

What percentage of Newton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30% of Newton households are renters, while 70% are owner-occupied. Newton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Newton rent compare to the national average?

Newton's median rent of $3,685/mo is $1,720 (88%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #4 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,685/mo, rent takes ~23% of Newton's median household income ($190,304/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Newton 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Newton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Newton
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Newton, MA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Newton.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.