ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02481

Part of Wellesley, MA

Pop. 17,415·Norfolk County·3rd most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts

Median rent (all units)

$3,981/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

+$2,049

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 02481 · $3,981

More expensive than 97% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,230

1 BR

$3,390

2 BR

$4,030

3 BR

$4,830

4 BR+

$5,340

Research median

$4,030/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: September 25, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($250,001) is $6,250 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($5,340).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 02494, 2 miles away, rents for 16% less ($3,339/mo), about $7,700 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 02481. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$47,772/yr

At $3,981/mo median

Location

CityWellesley

StateMA

CountyNorfolk County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02481 (Wellesley, MA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 90.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

17,415

Median income

$250,001

Median age

36.7

Renters

12.7%

Age distribution

26.6%

21.8%

25.5%

14.5%

Under 1826.6%

18–3421.8%

35–5425.5%

55–6411.6%

65+14.5%

Gender

41.6%

58.4%

Male41.6%

Female58.4%

Race & ethnicity

70%

14.4%

White70%

Black2%

Hispanic7.3%

Asian14.4%

Other6.3%

Education (25+)

90.6%

No HS diploma1.1%

HS diploma2.6%

Some college5.7%

Bachelor's+90.6%

Housing tenure

87.3%

12.7%

Owner87.3%

Renter12.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 02481 in Wellesley, MA has changed in 5 years

Income

$249,375 → $250,001

up 0.3%

Population

16,997 → 17,415

up 2.5%

Renter share

12.4% → 12.7%

+0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

88.7% → 90.6%

+1.9 pts

Median age

33.2 → 36.7

+3.5 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 02481 in Wellesley, MA now reports about $250,001, up from $249,375 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 16,997 to 17,415 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 02481

About renting in ZIP 02481

Last updated: September 25, 2026

ZIP code 02481 covers Wellesley, MA. The median rent here is $3,981/mo as of September 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,390/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,030/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($250,001/yr), ZIP 02481 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02481?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $159,000/year (about $76/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,981/mo in ZIP 02481. The local median household income is $250,001/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.