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City Report · MA

Wellesley

Pop. 30,347·2nd most expensive in Massachusetts·Wellesley rents are up 31.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$4,013/mo
Year-over-Year
+31.1%
Month-over-Month
+3.8%
vs US Median
+$2,051
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wellesley · $4,013
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,013/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$161,000/yr
Local median income
$250,001/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wellesley's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$3,180
1 BR
$3,370
2 BR
$3,990
3 BR
$4,810
4 BR+
$5,290
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,990/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,013 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$48,156/yr
At $4,013/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 31.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+31.1% YoY, +3.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wellesley, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 89% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
30,347
Median income
$250,001
Median age
37.1
Renters
15.6%
Age distribution
24.1%
24.3%
23.2%
13%
15.5%
Under 1824.1%
18–3424.3%
35–5423.2%
55–6413%
65+15.5%
Gender
43.5%
56.5%
Male43.5%
Female56.5%
Race & ethnicity
69.7%
15.9%
White69.7%
Black2.2%
Hispanic7.4%
Asian15.9%
Other4.7%
Education (25+)
89%
No HS diploma1.2%
HS diploma3.4%
Some college6.4%
Bachelor's+89%
Housing tenure
84.4%
15.6%
Owner84.4%
Renter15.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wellesley, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$226,250 → $250,001
up 10.5%
Population
29,365 → 30,347
up 3.3%
Renter share
17% → 15.6%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
84.9% → 89%
+4.1 pts
Median age
35.3 → 37.1
+1.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $226,250 to $250,001 across the same window, up 10.5% versus 2021. Census counts show Wellesley, MA adding about 982 residents over the five-year window, up 3.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 84.9% to 89% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Wellesley

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

Can you afford rent in Wellesley on your salary?

At $4,013/mo, how Wellesley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wellesley rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wellesley

About renting in Wellesley, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Wellesley is $4,013/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $3,180/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,370/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,810/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($250,001/yr), Wellesley ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 31.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wellesley an affordable city for renters?

Wellesley is considered very affordable for renters. At $4,013/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($250,001/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wellesley falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wellesley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $161,000/year (~$77/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,013/mo in Wellesley. The local median household income is $250,001/yr, meaning the typical Wellesley household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wellesley?

Rent in Wellesley has increased 31.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Wellesley rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Wellesley is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #2 out of 112 tracked cities at $4,013/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wellesley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wellesley ($4,013/mo): Natick ($2,857/mo), Waltham ($3,045/mo), Westwood ($3,140/mo).

What percentage of Wellesley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 15.6% of Wellesley households are renters, while 84.4% are owner-occupied. Wellesley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wellesley rent compare to the national average?

Wellesley's median rent of $4,013/mo is $2,051 (105%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #2 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $4,013/mo, rent takes ~19% of Wellesley's median household income ($250,001/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wellesley 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Wellesley affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wellesley, MA

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