salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31 minutes each way. Most households rent (66%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 69.4% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $127,360 a year. That is $61 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 110 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Somerville?
Share of households by yearly income. 52.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Somerville
| Size | Somerville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,612 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,297 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,928 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,423 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Somerville 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 Somerville, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Somerville
Life in Somerville
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Somerville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,139 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $911,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $91,130 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Somerville, MA?
Renting in Somerville costs a median of about $3,184 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Somerville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $127,360 a year, or $61 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Somerville cheap or expensive?
Somerville is rated OK: rent takes 26.7% of the typical household income of $142,979. It ranks 110th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Somerville?
The median homeowner in Somerville pays $6,186 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is Somerville 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 Somerville?
The median home value in Somerville is $911,300, about 6.4 times the typical yearly household income.
81,036 people live in Somerville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.