ZIP Code · MA

ZIP 02494

Part of Needham, MA

Pop. 11,035·Norfolk County·22nd most expensive ZIP in Massachusetts

Median rent (all units)

$3,339/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.9%

Month-over-Month

+2.0%

vs US Median

+$1,407

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 02494 · $3,339

More expensive than 94% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,440

1 BR

$2,560

2 BR

$3,040

3 BR

$3,640

4 BR+

$4,030

Research median

$3,040/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 02494 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Massachusetts

Rent in ZIP 02494 changed +5.9% 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 7 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($179,720) is $4,493 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($4,030).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 02132, 4 miles away, rents for 15% less ($2,830/mo), about $6,100 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 02494. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$40,068/yr

At $3,339/mo median

Location

CityNeedham

StateMA

CountyNorfolk County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, +2.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 02494 (Needham, MA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 76.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

11,035

Median income

$179,720

Median age

42.9

Renters

27.8%

Age distribution

25.9%

31.4%

13.1%

18.1%

Under 1825.9%

18–3411.5%

35–5431.4%

55–6413.1%

65+18.1%

Gender

47.7%

52.3%

Male47.7%

Female52.3%

Race & ethnicity

74.1%

13.7%

White74.1%

Black1.9%

Hispanic4.6%

Asian13.7%

Other5.7%

Education (25+)

12.3%

76.3%

No HS diploma4.2%

HS diploma7.2%

Some college12.3%

Bachelor's+76.3%

Housing tenure

72.2%

27.8%

Owner72.2%

Renter27.8%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 02494 in Needham, MA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,796 → $3,339

up 19.4%

Income

$153,285 → $179,720

up 17.2%

Population

10,881 → 11,035

up 1.4%

Renter share

25.9% → 27.8%

+1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

75.4% → 76.3%

+0.9 pts

Rent in ZIP 02494 in Needham, MA has climbed 19.4% since 2022, going from about $2,796 per month to roughly $3,339 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $153,285 in 2021 to $179,720 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 10,881 to 11,035 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. About 27.8% of households rent today, against 25.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 02494 in Needham, MA market of 2022.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 02494

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 02494 covers Needham, MA. The median rent here is $3,339/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,560/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,040/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($179,720/yr), ZIP 02494 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 02494?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $134,000/year (about $64/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,339/mo in ZIP 02494. The local median household income is $179,720/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 02494?

Rent in ZIP 02494 has risen 5.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2022.

How does ZIP 02494 compare to other ZIPs in Massachusetts?

ZIP 02494 is one of the pricier among Massachusetts ZIP codes for rent, ranking #22 of 164 at $3,339/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 02494 changed +5.9%, against a typical +3.0% across the 140 Massachusetts ZIP codes Zillow tracks.