salaryRent is higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $102,080 a year. That is $49 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 81 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Marlborough?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Marlborough
| Size | Marlborough | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,100 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,839 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,248 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,533 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,782 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Marlborough 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 Marlborough, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Marlborough
Life in Marlborough
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Marlborough?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,008 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $513,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $51,310 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Marlborough, MA?
Renting in Marlborough costs a median of about $2,552 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Marlborough?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $102,080 a year, or $49 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Marlborough cheap or expensive?
Marlborough is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.9% of the typical household income of $99,187. It ranks 81st cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Marlborough?
The median homeowner in Marlborough pays $5,747 a year in property taxes, about 1.12% of the median home value.
Is Marlborough 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 Marlborough?
The median home value in Marlborough is $513,100, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
41,647 people live in Marlborough. Numbers are typical (middle) values.