Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Lexington, MA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.6% of gross income.

Lexington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Lexington median rent
$3,522/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Massachusetts)
$101,512/yr
Rent as % of income
41.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $8,459, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,538/mo in rent. Lexington's median rent of $3,522 exceeds that threshold by $984/mo, putting a dental hygienist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental hygienist works roughly 72.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Lexington, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Medford, MA
$3,520/mo (41.6% of income)
Needham, MA
$3,508/mo (41.5% of income)
Swampscott, MA
$3,505/mo (41.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lexington

View full rent data for Lexington, MA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Lexington, MA?

Median rent in Lexington is $3,522 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Massachusetts earns about $101,512 a year, which makes that rent 41.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Lexington?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts (~$101,512/yr) supports up to $2,538 a month in rent. Lexington's current median rent is $3,522/mo, which is $984/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Lexington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $49 an hour, a dental hygienist in Massachusetts works roughly 72.2 hours a month to cover Lexington's median rent of $3,522.

Where is rent cheaper than Lexington for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Medford ($3,520/mo), Needham ($3,508/mo), Swampscott ($3,505/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Massachusetts state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Lexington, MA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.