Skip to content
AffordMap

Can You Afford a 2-Bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Newton? The Salary Math.

A 2-bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Newton runs $2,941/month per HUD Fair Market Rents. To keep rent under 30% of take-home, you need at least $13,429/year before taxes. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton median wage of around $47,130 puts most workers in the stretch zone for a 2-bedroom.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $2,941/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$34,860$2,415121.8%Too much
Early career (25th pct.)$45,890$3,10894.6%Too much
Median$47,130$3,18692.3%Too much
Experienced (75th pct.)$58,460$3,89775.5%Too much
Top earners (90th pct.)$63,660$4,20869.9%Too much

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25–30% | Stretch 30–40% | Too much >40%

Keep exploring Boston-Cambridge-Newton

Top paying jobs in Boston-Cambridge-NewtonCost of living in Boston-Cambridge-NewtonCan you afford a 1-bedroom?Can you afford a 3-bedroom?

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
You need roughly $13,429/year gross to keep a 2-bedroom at $2,941/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That assumes a 27% effective tax rate and single filing.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Newton is $2,941/month (FY2025). FMRs set the baseline for affordable housing calculations and vary by metro area.
Is Boston-Cambridge-Newton expensive for renters?
Yes. Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27, meaning everyday expenses run 8% above the national average. Rent at the HUD FMR takes up a larger share of take-home pay here than in most cities.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Fewer than 8 common occupations in Boston-Cambridge-Newton clear the 30% rent burden threshold at median pay. The most affordable options tend to be in healthcare, tech, and skilled trades.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and take action, AffordMap may receive compensation at no cost to you. This never influences the salary data, cost-of-living figures, or calculations shown — all data comes from U.S. government sources. See our full disclosure.