1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Watertown, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Watertown, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $3,124 and +82% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Watertown
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 Watertown
Compare Watertown'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? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Watertown.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Watertown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, MA | 1.8 mi | $2,590 | +$50 (+2%) |
| Belmont, MA | 1.8 mi | $2,720 | +$180 (+7%) |
| Arlington, MA | 3.5 mi | $2,325 | $-215 (-8%) |
| Brookline, MA | 4 mi | $3,310 | +$770 (+30%) |
| Waltham, MA | 4.2 mi | $2,603 | +$63 (+2%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 4.9 mi | $3,254 | +$714 (+28%) |
| Somerville, MA | 5.4 mi | $2,787 | +$247 (+10%) |
| Medford, MA | 6.1 mi | $2,620 | +$80 (+3%) |
| Winchester, MA | 6.2 mi | $2,620 | +$80 (+3%) |
| Lexington, MA | 6.4 mi | $3,550 | +$1,010 (+40%) |
| Boston, MA | 7.1 mi | $2,698 | +$158 (+6%) |
| Wellesley, MA | 7.8 mi | $3,370 | +$830 (+33%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Watertown — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Watertown?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Watertown, Massachusetts is $2,540 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $3,124.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Watertown?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $101,600 ($8,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Watertown expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Watertown's 1-bedroom median of $2,540 is +82% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Watertown rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Watertown ranks #83 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Watertown?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Arlington ($2,325).