salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 34.4 minutes each way. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $115,920 a year. That is $56 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 103 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Malden?
Share of households by yearly income. 40.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Malden
| Size | Malden | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,069 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,109 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,562 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,709 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,419 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Malden 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 Malden, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Malden
Life in Malden
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Malden?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,498 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $633,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $63,350 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Malden, MA?
Renting in Malden costs a median of about $2,898 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Malden?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $115,920 a year, or $56 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Malden cheap or expensive?
Malden is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.1% of the typical household income of $108,504. It ranks 103rd cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Malden?
The median homeowner in Malden pays $4,995 a year in property taxes, about 0.79% of the median home value.
Is Malden 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 Malden?
The median home value in Malden is $633,500, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
65,906 people live in Malden. Numbers are typical (middle) values.