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ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02176

Part of Melrose, MA
Pop. 29,650·Middlesex County·59th most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts
Median rent (all units)
$3,026/mo
Year-over-Year
+16.7%
Month-over-Month
+0.4%
vs US Median
+$1,061
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 02176 · $3,026
More expensive than 90% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,260
1 BR
$2,370
2 BR
$2,820
3 BR
$3,380
4 BR+
$3,730
Research median
$2,820/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$36,312/yr
At $3,026/mo median
Location
StateMA
CountyMiddlesex County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 16.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+16.7% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02176 (Melrose, MA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 62% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,650
Median income
$133,953
Median age
43.6
Renters
32.8%
Age distribution
20.2%
15.3%
31.4%
12.6%
20.6%
Under 1820.2%
18–3415.3%
35–5431.4%
55–6412.6%
65+20.6%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
77.9%
White77.9%
Black1.6%
Hispanic5.2%
Asian11%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
17.6%
15.7%
62%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma17.6%
Some college15.7%
Bachelor's+62%
Housing tenure
67.2%
32.8%
Owner67.2%
Renter32.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 02176 in Melrose, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,067 → $3,026
up 46.4%
Income
$125,000 → $133,953
up 7.2%
Population
29,401 → 29,650
up 0.8%
Renter share
33.6% → 32.8%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
61.7% → 62%
+0.3 pts
Median age
42.1 → 43.6
+1.5 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 02176 in Melrose, MA stood at $2,067 in 2021 and currently runs about $3,026, reflecting a 46.4% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $125,000 to $133,953 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.2% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 02176 in Melrose, MA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 02176

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 02176 covers Melrose, MA. The median rent here is $3,026/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,370/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,820/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($133,953/yr), ZIP 02176 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 02176?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 02176 (Melrose, MA) is $3,026. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 02176 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 02176's median rent of $3,026/mo is $1,061 (54%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 02176 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 02176 falls in the middle range for Massachusetts, ranking #59 out of 168 ZIPs at $3,026/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02176?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $121,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,026/mo in ZIP 02176. The local median household income is $133,953/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02176?

Rent in ZIP 02176 has increased 16.7% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 02176 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 02176 is considered affordable for renters. At $3,026/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($133,953/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 02176 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 02176 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.8% of ZIP 02176 households are renters, while 67.2% are owner-occupied. ZIP 02176 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 02176 compare to the rest of Melrose?

ZIP 02176 sits right at the Melrose citywide median of $3,026/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 02176 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 02176 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,026/mo, rent takes ~27% of ZIP 02176's median household income ($133,953/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 02176 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
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Public schools near ZIP 02176 (Melrose, MA)

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