salaryRent is lower than in 72% of U.S. cities. That makes it a rare mix of above-average pay and below-average rent. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Most homes (83.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 64.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $50,080 a year. That is $24 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 11 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Northborough?
Share of households by yearly income. 54.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Northborough
| Size | Northborough | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,169 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,743 | $1,509 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Northborough 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 Northborough, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Northborough
Life in Northborough
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Northborough?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,637 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $560,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $56,050 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Northborough, MA?
Renting in Northborough costs a median of about $1,252 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Northborough?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $50,080 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Northborough cheap or expensive?
Northborough is rated Cheap: rent takes 10.4% of the typical household income of $144,345. It ranks 11th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Northborough?
The median homeowner in Northborough pays $7,432 a year in property taxes, about 1.33% of the median home value.
Is Northborough 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 Northborough?
The median home value in Northborough is $560,500, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
6,392 people live in Northborough. Numbers are typical (middle) values.