Most affordable counties to rent in Massachusetts
Ranked by how much of the typical renter household's income the typical rent takes. Middlesex County is the most affordable at 31.4%; Barnstable County the least affordable at 40.9%.
| County | Rent-to-income | Median gross rent | Median renter income | Renters paying 30%+ | 2 BR FMR FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Middlesex County | 31.4% | $2,201 | $84,135 | 47% | $3,008 |
| 2. Worcester County | 32.7% | $1,426 | $52,395 | 51% | $2,043 |
| 3. Bristol County | 32.8% | $1,245 | $45,612 | 52% | $1,879 |
| 4. Berkshire County | 33.1% | $1,097 | $39,718 | 54% | $1,704 |
| 5. Norfolk County | 34.8% | $2,149 | $74,159 | 51% | $3,008 |
| 6. Franklin County | 35.9% | $1,177 | $39,323 | 57% | $1,882 |
| 7. Hampshire County | 36.0% | $1,388 | $46,278 | 57% | $2,034 |
| 8. Suffolk County | 36.6% | $2,129 | $69,876 | 52% | $3,008 |
| 9. Hampden County | 37.1% | $1,136 | $36,774 | 54% | $1,800 |
| 10. Plymouth County | 38.2% | $1,747 | $54,822 | 55% | $3,008 |
| 11. Essex County | 38.5% | $1,756 | $54,672 | 57% | $3,008 |
| 12. Barnstable County | 40.9% | $1,678 | $49,249 | 60% | $2,488 |
Rent-to-income = median gross rent × 12 ÷ median household income of renters. Both are medians of different households, so this is an area comparison, not the burden of any one household. 2 of 14 counties are left out because they have fewer than 500 renter households, a Census margin of error is too large (coefficient of variation above 15%) or a figure is not published.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2020–2024 and 2015–2019 (tables B25064, B25119, B25070). ± = margin of error at 90% confidence. Dollar figures are not adjusted for inflation. FMR: HUD FY2027.
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