What is the median household income in Needham, MA?
The median household income in Needham, MA is $214,308 (±$13,048) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Paying the median gross rent of $2,409 a month would take about $96,400 a year at the common guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on rent.
In Needham, the median household income went from $165,547 in 2015–2019 to $214,308 in 2020–2024 (+29.5%).
Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years; the change is not measurably different from the rise in prices.
Figures last updated on .
- Median household income
- $214,308 (±$13,048)
- Median renter income
- $70,250 (±$38,038)
- Income to afford median rent
- about $96,400
Income in Needham against Norfolk County, its state and the nation
| Needham | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $214,308 (±$13,048) | $130,739 (±$2,551) | $103,960 (±$527) | $80,734 |
| Median renter household income | $70,250 (±$38,038) | $74,159 (±$3,427) | $60,987 (±$576) | $52,966 |
| Median owner household income | $250,000 or more | $166,233 (±$2,455) | $135,402 (±$770) | $100,009 |
| Median gross rent | $2,409 (±$183) | $2,149 (±$29) | $1,762 (±$9) | $1,413 |
In Needham, median household income is higher than in Norfolk County ($130,739).
It is also higher than in Massachusetts ($103,960).
It is higher than the national figure ($80,734).
In Norfolk County, Needham ranks 5 of 28 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest median household income.
Statewide, it ranks 13 of 349.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
How much you need to earn to rent in Needham
Many landlords and housing programs use 30% of gross income as the most a household should spend on rent.
At that guideline, the median gross rent of $2,409 a month ($28,908 a year) needs an income of about $96,400 a year.
The median renting household in Needham earns $70,250 a year, less than that.
This is arithmetic on the published medians, not a rule any landlord must follow; screening criteria vary and some places limit how income may be weighed.
Income against housing costs since 2015–2019
| 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Amount of change | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $165,547 (±$10,340) | $214,308 (±$13,048) | +29.5% | No measurable change after inflation |
| Median gross rent | $1,483 (±$178) | $2,409 (±$183) | +62.4% | Up after inflation |
| Median home value | $855,300 (±$20,354) | $1,188,500 (±$43,035) | +39.0% | Up after inflation |
The Census Bureau publishes 2015–2019 dollars in 2019 dollars and 2020–2024 dollars in 2024 dollars.
Prices (the CPI-U, US Bureau of Labor Statistics) rose 22.7% between 2019 and 2024, so a dollar figure’s verdict compares the two after raising the earlier one by that much, using the Census Bureau’s test for a difference.
The two periods do not overlap, as the Census Bureau recommends for 5-year estimates.
Median household income in places near Needham
| Place | Distance | Median household income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needham | — | $214,308 (±$13,048) | — |
| Wellesley (community) | 2.7 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Wellesley | 2.7 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Dover (community) | 2.7 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Newton | 3.9 mi | $190,304 (±$8,593) | Lower |
| Dedham (community) | 4.0 mi | $128,955 (±$9,667) | Lower |
| Dedham | 4.0 mi | $128,955 (±$9,667) | Lower |
| Dover | 4.1 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Westwood | 4.5 mi | $223,125 (±$33,149) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Newton, MA ($190,304), Dedham (community), MA ($128,955), Dedham, MA ($128,955).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Median household income across Norfolk County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (tie) | Dover | $250,000 or more |
| 1 (tie) | Wellesley | $250,000 or more |
| 3 | Medfield | $235,800 (±$31,636) |
| 4 | Westwood | $223,125 (±$33,149) |
| 5 | Needham | $214,308 (±$13,048) |
| 6 | Norfolk | $200,720 (±$21,984) |
| 7 | Cohasset | $199,306 (±$53,082) |
| 8 | Sharon | $191,835 (±$18,502) |
| 9 | Milton | $188,529 (±$14,505) |
| 10 | Medway | $173,750 (±$18,469) |
| 11 | Walpole | $171,500 (±$15,740) |
Showing 11 of 28 places in Norfolk County, ranked from highest to lowest.
The figures for Needham include the places inside it that have pages of their own: Needham (community).
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates), compared with 2015–2019.
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Needham
What is the median household income in Needham?
The median household income in Needham is $214,308 (±$13,048) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Needham?
About $96,400 a year, if rent is to stay at or below 30% of income at the median gross rent of $2,409 a month.
Have incomes in Needham kept up with inflation?
In Needham, the median household income went from $165,547 in 2015–2019 to $214,308 in 2020–2024 (+29.5%).
Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years; the change is not measurably different from the rise in prices.
What do renters earn in Needham?
The median renting household in Needham, MA earns $70,250 (±$38,038) a year.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Median Household Income (B19013), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Median Gross Rent (B25064), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Median Value (B25077), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), US city average, all items, US Bureau of Labor Statistics: annual averages 2019 and 2024
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Needham town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts (county subdivision:44105, in state:25 county:021).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The 2015–2019 figures are B19013_001E, B19013_001M, B25064_001E, B25064_001M, B25077_001E, B25077_001M from the 2019 release.
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0062E, DP03_0062M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M, B25119_002E, B25119_002M, DP04_0134E, DP04_0134M
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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- Massachusetts landlord and tenant rules
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