Cost of Living in Suffolk County, Massachusetts

$2,069/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$680,700

Median Home Value

33% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$2,069/mo

33% above state average

Median Home Value

$680,700

141% above national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

30.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Suffolk County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Suffolk County$2,069/mo

Massachusetts Average$1,558/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$2,069/mo

Median Gross Rent

$680,700

Median Home Value

$2,354/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

30.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Suffolk: Boston's brutal affordability crisis

Suffolk County renters spend 26.7% of their income on rent—the worst ratio in Massachusetts and far above the national average of 19.3%—despite a median household income of $92,859. This urban county, anchored by Boston, exemplifies how concentrated wealth and constrained supply create severe affordability crises.

Least affordable county in Massachusetts

Suffolk's 26.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks as Massachusetts's worst affordability measure, more than 7 percentage points above the state average of 19.3%. The county's $2,069 median rent approaches suburban levels, yet incomes lag suburban counties by $30,000–$35,000, creating a perfect storm of unaffordability.

Urban core pays double nearby suburbs

Suffolk's rent burden of 26.7% shatters adjacent Norfolk (19.7%) and Middlesex (20.1%), while its median income of $92,859 trails both by $34,000. Boston and inner suburbs (Suffolk) face a fundamentally different housing market than outer suburbs—same rents, far lower incomes.

Renters squeezed harder than anywhere

Suffolk renters pay $2,069 monthly—26.7% of just $92,859 in median income—while homeowners spend $2,354 or 30.4%, the highest ownership burden in the state. This county's lower incomes combined with urban-core rents create the state's most acute housing stress.

Boston living requires significant income

Suffolk County only pencils out for earners above $120,000—significantly higher than surrounding counties—making it poorly suited for average-income relocators. If you're considering a Boston move but earn under $110,000, suburban Plymouth, Norfolk, or Worcester offer identical urban access with dramatically better affordability.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Suffolk County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

26.7%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$2,167

per month

Owner Cost Burden

30.4%

of gross income

The median home in Suffolk County may be a stretch

Median home value is $680,700. Estimated monthly cost: $5,434 vs. your max of $2,167.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio26.7%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Suffolk County, Massachusetts?

Suffolk County, Massachusetts has a median monthly rent of $2,069/mo and a median home value of $680,700. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 30.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Suffolk County?

The median gross rent in Suffolk County is $2,069/mo. This is 33% above state average for Massachusetts.

Is Suffolk County affordable?

Suffolk County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 30.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Suffolk County's rent compare to the state average?

Suffolk County's median rent of $2,069/mo is 33% above state average of $1,558/mo for Massachusetts.

What is the median home value in Suffolk County?

The median home value in Suffolk County, Massachusetts is $680,700. This is 141% above the national median home value of $281,900.