1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Wellesley, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wellesley, Massachusetts as of August 2026. That's +16% lower than the citywide median of $4,013 and +142% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Wellesley
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 Wellesley
Compare Wellesley'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 | Fairhaven | $1,150 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,160 |
| 6 | Spencer | $1,170 |
| 7 | Ware | $1,170 |
| 8 | Webster | $1,170 |
| 9 | Gardner | $1,180 |
| 10 | Springfield | $1,215 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,260 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $1,260 |
| 13 | Pittsfield | $1,280 |
| 14 | Leominster | $1,390 |
| 15 | Clinton | $1,410 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,550 |
| 2 | Wellesley (this page) | $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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Wellesley.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Wellesley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natick, MA | 5.4 mi | $2,350 | $-1,020 (-30%) |
| Waltham, MA | 5.8 mi | $2,603 | $-767 (-23%) |
| Newton, MA | 6 mi | $2,590 | $-780 (-23%) |
| Dedham, MA | 8 mi | $2,430 | $-940 (-28%) |
| Belmont, MA | 8.7 mi | $2,720 | $-650 (-19%) |
| Lexington, MA | 9.1 mi | $3,550 | +$180 (+5%) |
| Brookline, MA | 9.6 mi | $3,310 | $-60 (-2%) |
| Norwood, MA | 10.2 mi | $2,290 | $-1,080 (-32%) |
| Arlington, MA | 10.5 mi | $2,325 | $-1,045 (-31%) |
| Framingham, MA | 11.4 mi | $2,205 | $-1,165 (-35%) |
| Concord, MA | 12.1 mi | $2,940 | $-430 (-13%) |
| Cambridge, MA | 12.3 mi | $3,254 | $-116 (-3%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Wellesley — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Wellesley?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Wellesley, Massachusetts is $3,370 per month. This is +16% below the citywide median of $4,013.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Wellesley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $134,800 ($11,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $64.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Wellesley expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Wellesley's 1-bedroom median of $3,370 is +142% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Wellesley rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 111 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Wellesley ranks #110 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Wellesley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Natick ($2,350), Waltham ($2,603), Newton ($2,590).