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City Report · MA

Spencer

Pop. 5,661·98th most expensive in Massachusetts·Rental market data updated monthly for Spencer, MA
Median rent (all units)
$1,898/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.3%
vs US Median
-$67
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Spencer · $1,898
More expensive than 52% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
38% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,898/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$76,000/yr
Local median income
$59,931/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Spencer's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,160
1 BR
$1,170
2 BR
$1,500
3 BR
$1,810
4 BR+
$2,000
Research median
$1,500/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,776/yr
At $1,898/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Spencer, MA is majority renter-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,661
Median income
$59,931
Median age
53.4
Renters
59.8%
Age distribution
18.8%
20.2%
22.9%
26.1%
Under 1812%
18–3418.8%
35–5420.2%
55–6422.9%
65+26.1%
Gender
52.1%
47.9%
Male52.1%
Female47.9%
Race & ethnicity
93.4%
White93.4%
Hispanic4.5%
Asian3.6%
Education (25+)
12.6%
43.1%
27.5%
16.8%
No HS diploma12.6%
HS diploma43.1%
Some college27.5%
Bachelor's+16.8%
Housing tenure
40.2%
59.8%
Owner40.2%
Renter59.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Spencer, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,646 → $59,931
up 23.2%
Population
5,743 → 5,661
down 1.4%
Renter share
61.8% → 59.8%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
11.1% → 16.8%
+5.7 pts
Median age
50.2 → 53.4
+3.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $48,646 to $59,931 across the same window, up 23.2% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 5,743 to 5,661 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. About 59.8% of households rent today, against 61.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 11.1% to 16.8%.

Community

Discussions about Spencer

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

Can you afford rent in Spencer on your salary?

At $1,898/mo, how Spencer rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Spencer rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Spencer

About renting in Spencer, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Spencer is $1,898/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,160/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,500/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,170/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,810/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($59,931/yr), Spencer ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Spencer an affordable city for renters?

Spencer is considered moderate for renters. At $1,898/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($59,931/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Spencer slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Spencer?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,898/mo in Spencer. The local median household income is $59,931/yr, meaning the typical Spencer household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Spencer?

Rent in Spencer has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Spencer rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Spencer is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #98 out of 107 tracked cities at $1,898/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Spencer?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Spencer ($1,898/mo): Ware ($1,388/mo), Webster ($1,878/mo).

What percentage of Spencer residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.8% of Spencer households are renters, while 40.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Spencer has a strong rental market.

How does Spencer rent compare to the national average?

Spencer's median rent of $1,898/mo is $67 (3%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #98 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $1,898/mo, rent takes ~38% of Spencer's median household income ($59,931/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Spencer 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Spencer, MA

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