Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Arlington, MA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.7% of gross income.

Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Arlington median rent
$3,043/mo
Pharmacist salary (Massachusetts)
$153,990/yr
Rent as % of income
23.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $12,833, and the 30% rule supports up to $3,850/mo in rent. Arlington's median rent of $3,043 leaves roughly $807/mo of headroom under that threshold. A pharmacist works roughly 41.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a pharmacist salary

Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:

Waltham, MA
$3,042/mo (23.7% of income)
Hanover, MA
$3,042/mo (23.7% of income)
Bedford, MA
$3,037/mo (23.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arlington

View full rent data for Arlington, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a pharmacist afford rent in Arlington, MA?

Median rent in Arlington is $3,043 a month. A typical pharmacist in Massachusetts earns about $153,990 a year, which makes that rent 23.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Arlington?

Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Massachusetts (~$153,990/yr) supports up to $3,850 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $3,043/mo, which leaves a $807/mo buffer.

How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Arlington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $74 an hour, a pharmacist in Massachusetts works roughly 41.1 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $3,043.

Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a pharmacist?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Waltham ($3,042/mo), Hanover ($3,042/mo), Bedford ($3,037/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.

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