Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Southbridge Town?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Southbridge Town, you need to earn at least $55,040/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $55,182, which means the typical resident is $142 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 17,669

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$963	$3,210	$38,520	$-16,662
1 Bedroom	$1,142	$3,807	$45,680	$-9,502
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,376	$4,587	$55,040	$-142
3 Bedroom	$1,679	$5,597	$67,160	+$11,978
4 Bedroom	$2,064	$6,880	$82,560	+$27,378

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$55,182

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$55,040

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$142

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.9%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Southbridge Town

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Southbridge Town's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,380

Studio

$963/mo

1 BR

$1,142/mo

2 BR

$1,376/mo

3 BR

$1,679/mo

4 BR

$2,064/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Southbridge Town.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Southbridge Town

Southbridge Town is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $142. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,142/month) or studio ($963/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Southbridge Town pushes the required income to $67,160.

For comfortable living in Southbridge Town without financial stress, target a household income of at least $82,560 — 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 Southbridge Town, Massachusetts.

With a total population of 17,669, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 8,278 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $55,040 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

8,278

Active civilian employees in Southbridge Town

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Southbridge Town

What salary do I need to live in Southbridge Town, Massachusetts?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Southbridge Town under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $55,040. The median household income in Southbridge Town is $55,182.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Southbridge Town on $55,182?

The affordability verdict for Southbridge Town is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.9%, meaning median earners have a $142 surplus.

What is the average rent in Southbridge Town compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Southbridge Town is $1,142/month. With a median household income of $55,182, residents spend approximately 29.9% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Southbridge Town?

A studio in Southbridge Town rents for approximately $963/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $38,520 to afford this.

Is Southbridge Town considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $142 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Southbridge Town is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $55,040 to the local median household income.

How Southbridge Town Compares

Other cities in Massachusetts with salary requirements