The Massachusetts rental market
Massachusetts tracks median rent across 107 cities, ranging from Pittsfield at $1,545/mo to Wellesley at $4,030/mo. The state average of $2,685/mo runs about 39% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Massachusetts cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +3.0% over the past year. 102 of 114 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 12 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Boston, Worcester, Springfield.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 8 of 107 Massachusetts cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
38 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Wellesley ($4,030/mo) costs 2.6 times as much as Pittsfield ($1,545/mo).
Across 35 Massachusetts cities with five or more years of data, asking rents usually bottom out in December and peak in July, a typical swing of 2.5%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent grew faster than median household income in 12 of 21 Massachusetts cities with both figures. See where the gap is widest.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Massachusetts cities, as of September 2026. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates).
Massachusetts rent questions
What is the average rent in Massachusetts?
The average median rent across 107 tracked cities in Massachusetts is $2,685/mo, about 39% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Massachusetts city has the highest rent?
Wellesley has the highest median rent in Massachusetts at $4,030/mo.
Which Massachusetts city has the most affordable rent?
Pittsfield is the most affordable tracked city in Massachusetts, with a median rent of $1,545/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Massachusetts?
Across Massachusetts cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +3.0% over the past year.
How does Massachusetts rent compare to the rest of the country?
102 of 114 tracked Massachusetts cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 12 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Massachusetts?
By population, the largest rental markets in Massachusetts are Boston, Worcester, Springfield. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.