Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Framingham?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Framingham, you need to earn at least $81,400/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $94,909, which means the typical resident is $13,509 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 71,805

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,425	$4,750	$57,000	$-37,909
1 Bedroom	$1,689	$5,630	$67,560	$-27,349
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,035	$6,783	$81,400	$-13,509
3 Bedroom	$2,483	$8,277	$99,320	+$4,411
4 Bedroom	$3,053	$10,177	$122,120	+$27,211

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Framingham's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$94,909

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$81,400

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$13,509

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 25.7%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Framingham

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Framingham's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,373

Studio

$1,425/mo

1 BR

$1,689/mo

2 BR

$2,035/mo

3 BR

$2,483/mo

4 BR

$3,053/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Framingham.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Framingham's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Framingham

Renting in Framingham, Massachusetts is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $81,400/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $94,909, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,689/month) or studio ($1,425/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Framingham pushes the required income to $99,320.

For comfortable living in Framingham without financial stress, target a household income of at least $122,100 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Massachusetts's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Framingham, Massachusetts.

With a total population of 71,805, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 39,033 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $81,400 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

39,033

Active civilian employees in Framingham

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Framingham

What salary do I need to live in Framingham, Massachusetts?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Framingham under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $81,400. The median household income in Framingham is $94,909.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Framingham on $94,909?

The affordability verdict for Framingham is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 25.7%, meaning median earners have a $13,509 surplus.

What is the average rent in Framingham compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Framingham is $1,689/month. With a median household income of $94,909, residents spend approximately 25.7% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Framingham?

A studio in Framingham rents for approximately $1,425/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $57,000 to afford this.

Is Framingham considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $13,509 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Framingham is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $81,400 to the local median household income.

How Framingham Compares

Other cities in Massachusetts with salary requirements