Most affordable cities for renters in Massachusetts
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Data as of September 2026. Median rent from RentDataNow's monthly city data (Zillow's rent index where Zillow covers the city). Rank a year ago compares the same cities' rent 12 months earlier. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
70 cities
| Rank | City | Median rent | 1-yr change | 5-yr change | Rent/income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | AmherstMA | $2,999/mo | +5.1% | -- | -- | ↓4 from #47 |
| 52 | NewburyportMA | $3,028/mo | +4.0% | -- | 26.0% | ↓1 from #51 |
| 53 | MelroseMA | $3,031/mo | +3.7% | +29.2% | 27.2% | same |
| 54 | BelmontMA | $3,051/mo | +3.2% | -- | 20.0% | ↑1 from #55 |
| 55 | StonehamMA | $3,055/mo | +3.9% | -- | 32.2% | ↓1 from #54 |
| 56 | SaugusMA | $3,057/mo | -3.4% | -- | 36.1% | ↑2 from #58 |
| 57 | WatertownMA | $3,101/mo | +2.6% | +25.1% | 29.5% | ↓1 from #56 |
| 58 | BurlingtonMA | $3,153/mo | +3.3% | -- | 25.8% | ↓1 from #57 |
| 59 | WilmingtonMA | $3,162/mo | 0.0% | -- | 22.6% | -- |
| 60 | WinchesterMA | $3,191/mo | -1.6% | -- | 16.6% | same |
| 61 | BostonMA | $3,271/mo | +2.8% | +27.9% | 40.3% | ↓2 from #59 |
| 62 | NewtonMA | $3,358/mo | +3.0% | +28.9% | 21.2% | ↓1 from #61 |
| 63 | SomervilleMA | $3,428/mo | +3.6% | +30.5% | 31.0% | same |
| 64 | CambridgeMA | $3,438/mo | +3.4% | +24.5% | 31.6% | same |
| 65 | BrooklineMA | $3,488/mo | +5.6% | +31.1% | 29.5% | ↓3 from #62 |
| 66 | LexingtonMA | $3,522/mo | 0.0% | -- | 17.7% | -- |
| 67 | SwampscottMA | $3,536/mo | 0.0% | -- | 31.6% | -- |
| 68 | MedfordMA | $3,626/mo | +2.8% | +29.6% | 33.6% | ↓3 from #65 |
| 69 | NeedhamMA | $3,702/mo | +4.3% | -- | 20.7% | ↓3 from #66 |
| 70 | WellesleyMA | $4,030/mo | +7.8% | -- | 19.3% | ↓3 from #67 |