How much does it cost to rent in Worcester, MA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Worcester, MA is $2,164. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Worcester cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Worcester is among the more affordable cities in Massachusetts, ranking #91 out of 107 cities at $2,164/mo.

When was Worcester rent data last updated?

Worcester rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MA

Worcester

Name: Average Rent Prices in Worcester, MA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 207,055·91st most expensive in Massachusetts·Rental market data updated monthly for Worcester, MA

Median rent (all units)

$2,164/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.5%

vs US Median

+$199

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Worcester · $2,164

More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

63/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Worcester's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,164/mo

Expected by trend

$2,308/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Worcester's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,448

1 BR

$1,458

2 BR

$1,878

3 BR

$2,294

4 BR+

$2,524

Research median

$1,878/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

$25,968/yr

At $2,164/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Worcester, MA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 35.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

207,055

Median income

$70,102

Median age

33.9

Renters

57.2%

Age distribution

19.6%

32%

23.4%

13.3%

Under 1819.6%

18–3432%

35–5423.4%

55–6411.6%

65+13.3%

Gender

49.6%

50.4%

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

Race & ethnicity

53.3%

12.9%

25.3%

White53.3%

Black12.9%

Hispanic25.3%

Asian7.2%

Other1.4%

Education (25+)

14.3%

27.4%

23.2%

35.2%

No HS diploma14.3%

HS diploma27.4%

Some college23.2%

Bachelor's+35.2%

Housing tenure

42.8%

57.2%

Owner42.8%

Renter57.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Worcester, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,528 → $2,164

up 41.6%

Income

$56,746 → $70,102

up 23.5%

Population

203,867 → 207,055

up 1.6%

Renter share

57.6% → 57.2%

-0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

32.2% → 35.2%

+3.0 pts

Median age

34.4 → 33.9

-0.5 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Worcester, MA has increased from $1,528 to $2,164, a 41.6% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $56,746 to $70,102 across the same window, up 23.5% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 203,867 residents to roughly 207,055. College-educated residents now make up 35.2% of adults here, versus 32.2% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Worcester, MA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Worcester

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View Worcester rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Worcester on your salary?

At $2,164/mo, how Worcester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 23.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 33.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 16.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 12.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 35.6% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 39.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 32% income

stretched

By apartment size

Worcester rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Worcester

About renting in Worcester, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Worcester is $2,164/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,448/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,878/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,458/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,294/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($70,102/yr), Worcester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Worcester an affordable city for renters?

Worcester is considered moderate for renters. At $2,164/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($70,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Worcester slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Worcester?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,164/mo in Worcester. The local median household income is $70,102/yr, meaning the typical Worcester household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Worcester?

Rent in Worcester has increased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Worcester neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Worcester are 01609 ($1,788/mo), 01608 ($1,852/mo), and 01603 ($2,094/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Worcester is $2,164/mo.

How does Worcester rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Worcester is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #91 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,164/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Worcester?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Worcester ($2,164/mo): Spencer ($1,898/mo), Clinton ($2,137/mo).

What percentage of Worcester residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57.2% of Worcester households are renters, while 42.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Worcester has a strong rental market.

How does Worcester rent compare to the national average?

Worcester's median rent of $2,164/mo is $199 (10%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #91 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

37%

MODERATE

At $2,164/mo, rent takes ~37% of Worcester's median household income ($70,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Worcester 37%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Worcester affordability calculator →

Nearby cities