ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 01609

Part of Worcester, MA

Pop. 22,047·Worcester County·151st most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts

Median rent (all units)

$1,928/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.8%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$4

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 01609 · $1,928

More expensive than 57% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,490

1 BR

$1,500

2 BR

$1,930

3 BR

$2,390

4 BR+

$2,650

Research median

$1,930/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 01609 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Massachusetts

Rent in ZIP 01609 changed +6.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 140 Massachusetts ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.0%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($68,381) is $1,710 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,500); a 2-bedroom is $1,930.

Rank in Worcester

2nd cheapest of 8 ZIP codes in Worcester.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 01609. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$23,136/yr

At $1,928/mo median

Location

CityWorcester

StateMA

CountyWorcester County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.8% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 01609 (Worcester, MA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 50.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,047

Median income

$68,381

Median age

29.4

Renters

59.9%

Age distribution

44.3%

19.2%

15.1%

Under 1811.4%

18–3444.3%

35–5419.2%

55–649.9%

65+15.1%

Gender

51.5%

48.5%

Male51.5%

Female48.5%

Race & ethnicity

63.5%

17%

White63.5%

Black8.5%

Hispanic17%

Asian9.5%

Other1.6%

Education (25+)

20%

19.5%

50.5%

No HS diploma10.1%

HS diploma20%

Some college19.5%

Bachelor's+50.5%

Housing tenure

40.1%

59.9%

Owner40.1%

Renter59.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 01609 in Worcester, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,624 → $1,928

up 18.7%

Income

$49,333 → $68,381

up 38.6%

Population

23,509 → 22,047

down 6.2%

Renter share

58% → 59.9%

+1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

44.9% → 50.5%

+5.6 pts

Median age

32 → 29.4

-2.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 01609 in Worcester, MA paid around $1,624 a month. That figure now sits near $1,928, up 18.7% from the 2023 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $49,333 to $68,381 across the same window, up 38.6% versus 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show ZIP 01609 in Worcester, MA losing about 1,462 residents over the five-year window, down 6.2% on net. The renter share has risen from 58% to 59.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 44.9% to 50.5% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 01609 in Worcester, MA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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About renting in ZIP 01609

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 01609 covers Worcester, MA. The median rent here is $1,928/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,500/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,930/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($68,381/yr), ZIP 01609 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 01609?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,928/mo in ZIP 01609. The local median household income is $68,381/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 01609?

Rent in ZIP 01609 has risen 6.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

How does ZIP 01609 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 01609 is one of the more affordable among Massachusetts ZIP codes for rent, ranking #151 of 164 at $1,928/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 01609 changed +6.8%, against a typical +3.0% across the 140 Massachusetts ZIP codes Zillow tracks.