Counties › Massachusetts

Cost of Living in Suffolk County, MA

Population 785,121 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$2,129
Median home value$705,800
Median household income$95,631

The median rent in Suffolk County, MA is $2,129/month, 21% higher than the Massachusetts median and 51% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $705,800, 112% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $95,631 a year, 8% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 26.7%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $85,160/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 7.4×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $3,569/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Suffolk County vs. Massachusetts vs. U.S.

Suffolk CountyMassachusettsU.S.
Median rent$2,129$1,762$1,413
Median home value$705,800$562,100$332,700
Median household income$95,631$103,960$80,734
Homeownership rate36.5%62.5%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher50.6%47.3%35.7%
Poverty rate16.2%10.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.3%5.2%5.2%
Work from home19.9%18.6%15.1%
Median age33.940.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Suffolk County, MA?

The median gross rent in Suffolk County, MA is $2,129 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Suffolk County, MA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $85,160 a year in gross income.

Is Suffolk County, MA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 51% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 7.4 times the median household income.

Other counties in Massachusetts

Middlesex County, MARent $2,201 · Income $130,847Worcester County, MARent $1,426 · Income $95,939Essex County, MARent $1,756 · Income $101,883Norfolk County, MARent $2,149 · Income $130,739Bristol County, MARent $1,245 · Income $85,625Plymouth County, MARent $1,747 · Income $114,201

Counties with a similar cost of living

Santa Barbara County, CARent $2,131 · Income $98,161Monterey County, CARent $2,055 · Income $97,230Solano County, CARent $2,163 · Income $100,401San Luis Obispo County, CARent $1,992 · Income $97,446Manassas Park city, VARent $2,146 · Income $103,250Park County, CORent $2,161 · Income $103,670

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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