1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Worcester, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $2,164 and +5% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Worcester
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 Worcester
Compare Worcester'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Worcester.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrewsbury, MA | 6.7 mi | $1,960 | +$502 (+34%) |
| Hopkinton, MA | 18.9 mi | $2,580 | +$1,122 (+77%) |
| Milford, MA | 21.4 mi | $1,640 | +$182 (+12%) |
| Fitchburg, MA | 21.7 mi | $1,260 | $-198 (-14%) |
| Framingham, MA | 25.7 mi | $2,205 | +$747 (+51%) |
| Bellingham, MA | 26.8 mi | $2,190 | +$732 (+50%) |
| Natick, MA | 31.9 mi | $2,350 | +$892 (+61%) |
| Concord, MA | 33.5 mi | $2,940 | +$1,482 (+102%) |
| Cumberland, RI | 33.7 mi | $1,260 | $-198 (-14%) |
| Johnston, RI | 36.6 mi | $1,300 | $-158 (-11%) |
| North Providence, RI | 37 mi | $1,440 | $-18 (-1%) |
| Chelmsford, MA | 38.3 mi | $1,890 | +$432 (+30%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Worcester — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Worcester?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Worcester, Massachusetts is $1,458 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $2,164.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Worcester?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $58,320 ($4,860/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is Worcester expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Worcester's 1-bedroom median of $1,458 is +5% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 55th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Worcester rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Worcester ranks #16 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Worcester?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Fitchburg ($1,260), Cumberland ($1,260), Johnston ($1,300).