salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 85.4% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $127,920 a year. That is $62 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 111 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Brookline?
Share of households by yearly income. 55.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Brookline
| Size | Brookline | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,371 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,740 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,466 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Brookline overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Brookline, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Brookline
Life in Brookline
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Brookline?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,453 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,246,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $124,680 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Brookline, MA?
Renting in Brookline costs a median of about $3,198 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Brookline?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $127,920 a year, or $62 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Brookline cheap or expensive?
Brookline is rated OK: rent takes 25.0% of the typical household income of $153,256. It ranks 111th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Brookline?
The median homeowner in Brookline pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Brookline more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Brookline?
The median home value in Brookline is $1,246,800, about 8.1 times the typical yearly household income.
63,266 people live in Brookline. Numbers are typical (middle) values.