salaryRent is higher than in 79% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 6.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (72%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $91,600 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 59 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lawrence?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lawrence
| Size | Lawrence | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,387 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,231 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,874 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,015 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,339 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lawrence 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 Lawrence, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Lawrence
Life in Lawrence
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lawrence?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $591 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $415,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $41,520 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lawrence, MA?
Renting in Lawrence costs a median of about $2,290 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Lawrence?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $91,600 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lawrence cheap or expensive?
Lawrence is rated Expensive: rent takes 42.2% of the typical household income of $65,177. It ranks 59th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lawrence?
The median homeowner in Lawrence pays $3,422 a year in property taxes, about 0.82% of the median home value.
Is Lawrence 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 Lawrence?
The median home value in Lawrence is $415,200, about 6.4 times the typical yearly household income.
88,736 people live in Lawrence. Numbers are typical (middle) values.