Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Lawrence, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.5% of gross income.
Lawrence rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Lawrence, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lawrence
View full rent data for Lawrence, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Lawrence, MA?
Median rent in Lawrence is $2,379 a month. A typical real estate agent in Massachusetts earns about $76,073 a year, which makes that rent 37.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Lawrence?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Massachusetts (~$76,073/yr) supports up to $1,902 a month in rent. Lawrence's current median rent is $2,379/mo, which is $477/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Lawrence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $37 an hour, a real estate agent in Massachusetts works roughly 65 hours a month to cover Lawrence's median rent of $2,379.
Where is rent cheaper than Lawrence for a real estate agent?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Methuen ($2,378/mo), Brockton ($2,377/mo), Franklin ($2,375/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.