ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02081

Part of Walpole, MA

Pop. 19,343·Norfolk County·87th most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts

Median rent (all units)

$2,744/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

+$812

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 02081 · $2,744

More expensive than 85% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,100

1 BR

$2,210

2 BR

$2,620

3 BR

$3,140

4 BR+

$3,470

Research median

$2,620/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

Past year vs. the rest of Massachusetts

Rent in ZIP 02081 changed +3.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 140 Massachusetts ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.0%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($156,250) is $3,906 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,470).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 02762, 10 miles away, rents for 17% less ($2,273/mo), about $5,700 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 02081. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$32,928/yr

At $2,744/mo median

Location

CityWalpole

StateMA

CountyNorfolk County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02081 (Walpole, MA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 65.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

19,343

Median income

$156,250

Median age

42.9

Renters

17.1%

Age distribution

23.4%

16.7%

28.9%

12.7%

18.3%

Under 1823.4%

18–3416.7%

35–5428.9%

55–6412.7%

65+18.3%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

89%

White89%

Black2.5%

Hispanic3.3%

Asian2.7%

Other2.6%

Education (25+)

14.8%

17.2%

65.7%

No HS diploma2.4%

HS diploma14.8%

Some college17.2%

Bachelor's+65.7%

Housing tenure

82.9%

17.1%

Owner82.9%

Renter17.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 02081 in Walpole, MA has changed in 5 years

Income

$129,972 → $156,250

up 20.2%

Population

20,287 → 19,343

down 4.7%

Renter share

19.4% → 17.1%

-2.3 pts

Bachelor's+

55.6% → 65.7%

+10.1 pts

Median age

42.2 → 42.9

+0.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $129,972 to $156,250 across the same window, up 20.2% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 4.7% since 2021, moving from about 20,287 residents to roughly 19,343. Renters now make up 17.1% of households, compared with 19.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 65.7% of adults here, versus 55.6% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 02081

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 02081 covers Walpole, MA. The median rent here is $2,744/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,210/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,620/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($156,250/yr), ZIP 02081 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02081?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $110,000/year (about $53/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,744/mo in ZIP 02081. The local median household income is $156,250/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02081?

Rent in ZIP 02081 has risen 3.6% over the past year.

How does ZIP 02081 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 02081 is in the middle among Massachusetts ZIP codes for rent, ranking #87 of 164 at $2,744/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 02081 changed +3.6%, against a typical +3.0% across the 140 Massachusetts ZIP codes Zillow tracks.