salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 98% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. Most homes (83.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 81.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $117,000 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 104 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Needham?
Share of households by yearly income. 67.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Needham
| Size | Needham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,326 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,736 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,764 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,816 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Needham 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 Needham, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Needham
Life in Needham
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Needham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,322 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,188,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $118,850 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Needham, MA?
Renting in Needham costs a median of about $2,925 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Needham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $117,000 a year, or $56 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Needham cheap or expensive?
Needham is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.2% of the typical household income of $231,131. It ranks 104th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Needham?
The median homeowner in Needham pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is Needham 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 Needham?
The median home value in Needham is $1,188,500, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
32,459 people live in Needham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.