Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Saugus?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Saugus, you need to earn at least $82,760/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $96,064, which means the typical resident is $13,304 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 28,566

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,448	$4,827	$57,920	$-38,144
1 Bedroom	$1,717	$5,723	$68,680	$-27,384
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,069	$6,897	$82,760	$-13,304
3 Bedroom	$2,524	$8,413	$100,960	+$4,896
4 Bedroom	$3,104	$10,347	$124,160	+$28,096

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$96,064

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$82,760

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$13,304

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 25.8%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Saugus's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,402

Studio

$1,448/mo

1 BR

$1,717/mo

2 BR

$2,069/mo

3 BR

$2,524/mo

4 BR

$3,104/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Saugus

Renting in Saugus, Massachusetts is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $82,760/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $96,064, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,717/month) or studio ($1,448/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Saugus pushes the required income to $100,960.

For comfortable living in Saugus without financial stress, target a household income of at least $124,140 — 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 Saugus, Massachusetts.

With a total population of 28,566, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 15,314 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $82,760 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

15,314

Active civilian employees in Saugus

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Saugus

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Saugus under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $82,760. The median household income in Saugus is $96,064.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Saugus on $96,064?

The affordability verdict for Saugus is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 25.8%, meaning median earners have a $13,304 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Saugus is $1,717/month. With a median household income of $96,064, residents spend approximately 25.8% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Saugus?

A studio in Saugus rents for approximately $1,448/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $57,920 to afford this.

Is Saugus considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $13,304 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Saugus is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $82,760 to the local median household income.

How Saugus Compares

Other cities in Massachusetts with salary requirements