Massachusetts · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Suffolk County, MA

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Suffolk County, MA is $2,941 per month ($35,292/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $56.56/hour ($117,640/year) for a full-time worker, representing 36.9% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$2,941$35,292 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$2,359$45/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$2,476$48/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$56.56per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$3,526$68/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Suffolk County, MA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,941Monthly market rent
Share of gross income36.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$117,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,391At 30% of $95,631
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Suffolk County, MA

Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule and Income Thresholds for Suffolk County, MA
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$2,359$28,308$94,360$45.37/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,476$29,712$99,040$47.62/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$2,941$35,292$117,640$56.56/hr
3-Bedroom Home$3,526$42,312$141,040$67.81/hr
4-Bedroom Home$3,894$46,728$155,760$74.88/hr

See comprehensive cost of living profile for Suffolk County, MA →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Suffolk County, MA

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Suffolk County, MA?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Suffolk County, MA is $2,941 per month ($35,292 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Suffolk County, MA?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $2,941/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $56.56 per hour ($117,640/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Suffolk County, MA?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Suffolk County, MA are: Studio: $2,359/mo, 1-Bedroom: $2,476/mo, 2-Bedroom: $2,941/mo, 3-Bedroom: $3,526/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $3,894/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Suffolk County, MA?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $95,631/year ($7,969/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 36.9% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Suffolk County, MA?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $2,941/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($2,941 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $117,640 per year.