Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$95,631$7,969 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Suffolk County, MA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Suffolk County, MA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $2,359 | $28,308 | $94,360 | 29.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,476 | $29,712 | $99,040 | 31.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,941 | $35,292 | $117,640 | 36.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $3,526 | $42,312 | $141,040 | 44.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,894 | $46,728 | $155,760 | 48.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Suffolk County, MA
Based on the local median household income of $95,631/year ($7,969/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Massachusetts
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Massachusetts state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Massachusetts with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Suffolk County, MA
What is the median household income in Suffolk County, MA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Suffolk County, MA is $95,631 per year (approximately $7,969 per month).
What is the average rent in Suffolk County, MA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Suffolk County, MA are $2,359 for a studio, $2,476 for 1 bedroom, $2,941 for 2 bedrooms, $3,526 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,894 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Suffolk County, MA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Suffolk County, MA is 108.3 (8.3% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Suffolk County, MA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,941/month) in Suffolk County, MA requires a minimum gross household income of $117,640 per year ($9,803 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Suffolk County, MA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $95,631/year ($7,969/month) in Suffolk County, MA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,985/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,391/month to discretionary spending, and $1,594/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Suffolk County, MA?
Residential electricity rates in Massachusetts average 29.6¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $266 per month.