Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Woburn?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Woburn, you need to earn at least $102,680/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $104,780, which means the typical resident is $2,100 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 40,992

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,797	$5,990	$71,880	$-32,900
1 Bedroom	$2,131	$7,103	$85,240	$-19,540
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,567	$8,557	$102,680	$-2,100
3 Bedroom	$3,132	$10,440	$125,280	+$20,500
4 Bedroom	$3,851	$12,837	$154,040	+$49,260

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$104,780

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$102,680

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,100

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Woburn's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,620

Studio

$1,797/mo

1 BR

$2,131/mo

2 BR

$2,567/mo

3 BR

$3,132/mo

4 BR

$3,851/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Woburn

Woburn is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,100. 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 ($2,131/month) or studio ($1,797/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Woburn pushes the required income to $125,280.

For comfortable living in Woburn without financial stress, target a household income of at least $154,020 — 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 Woburn, Massachusetts.

With a total population of 40,992, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 23,070 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $102,680 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

23,070

Active civilian employees in Woburn

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Woburn

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Woburn under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $102,680. The median household income in Woburn is $104,780.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Woburn on $104,780?

The affordability verdict for Woburn is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.4%, meaning median earners have a $2,100 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Woburn is $2,131/month. With a median household income of $104,780, residents spend approximately 29.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Woburn?

A studio in Woburn rents for approximately $1,797/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $71,880 to afford this.

Is Woburn considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,100 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Woburn is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $102,680 to the local median household income.

How Woburn Compares

Other cities in Massachusetts with salary requirements