Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Lawrence?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Lawrence, you need to earn at least $72,400/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $53,977, which means the typical resident is $18,423 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 88,067

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,267	$4,223	$50,680	$-3,297
1 Bedroom	$1,502	$5,007	$60,080	+$6,103
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,810	$6,033	$72,400	+$18,423
3 Bedroom	$2,208	$7,360	$88,320	+$34,343
4 Bedroom	$2,715	$9,050	$108,600	+$54,623

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$53,977

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$72,400

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$18,423

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 40.2%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Lawrence's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,349

Studio

$1,267/mo

1 BR

$1,502/mo

2 BR

$1,810/mo

3 BR

$2,208/mo

4 BR

$2,715/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Lawrence

Renting in Lawrence is unaffordable for most median earners. The $18,423 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,810/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Lawrence, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $1,267/month, which requires $50,680/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$905/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Massachusetts city.

To live comfortably in Lawrence without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $108,600 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Massachusetts's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

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 Lawrence, Massachusetts.

With a total population of 88,067, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 41,147 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $72,400 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

41,147

Active civilian employees in Lawrence

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Lawrence

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Lawrence under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $72,400. The median household income in Lawrence is $53,977.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Lawrence on $53,977?

The affordability verdict for Lawrence is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 40.2%, meaning there's a $18,423 income gap.

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

The median gross rent in Lawrence is $1,502/month. With a median household income of $53,977, residents spend approximately 40.2% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Lawrence?

A studio in Lawrence rents for approximately $1,267/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $50,680 to afford this.

Is Lawrence considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $18,423 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Lawrence is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $72,400 to the local median household income.

How Lawrence Compares

Other cities in Massachusetts with salary requirements