How many renters in Watertown, MA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?
42.7% (±5.2 points) of renting households in Watertown, MA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
34.3% spend 35% or more.
The median renting household spends 27.0% of its income on rent.
Figures last updated on .
- Paying 30% or more
- 42.7% (±5.2 points)
- Paying 35% or more
- 34.3% (±4.4 points)
- Median share of income
- 27.0% (±1.8 points)
Rent as a share of income in Watertown
| Share of income spent on rent | Watertown | Middlesex County | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 15% | 17.1% (±3.6 points) | 13.1% | 12.4% | 12.6% |
| 15% to 19.9% | 15.2% (±3.3 points) | 13.5% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 20% to 24.9% | 12.7% (±3.7 points) | 14.2% | 12.3% | 12.6% |
| 25% to 29.9% | 12.3% (±3.1 points) | 12.0% | 12.0% | 11.5% |
| 30% to 34.9% | 8.4% (±2.8 points) | 9.5% | 10.0% | 9.2% |
| 35% or more | 34.3% (±4.4 points) | 37.6% | 41.8% | 41.9% |
Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.
Watertown against Middlesex County, its state and the nation
| Watertown | Middlesex County | Massachusetts | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paying 30% or more | 42.7% (±5.2 points) | 47.1% (±1.1 points) | 51.8% (±0.5 points) | 51.1% |
| Paying 35% or more | 34.3% (±4.4 points) | 37.6% (±1.0 points) | 41.8% (±0.4 points) | 41.9% |
| Median share of income | 27.0% (±1.8 points) | 28.8% (±0.4 points) | 30.9% (±0.3 points) | 30.6% |
| Median renter household income | $105,360 (±$15,512) | $84,135 (±$1,906) | $60,987 (±$576) | $52,966 |
| Median gross rent | $2,502 (±$107) | $2,201 (±$17) | $1,762 (±$9) | $1,413 |
In Watertown, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Middlesex County (47.1%).
It is also lower than in Massachusetts (51.8%).
It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).
In Middlesex County, Watertown ranks 43 of 54 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.
Statewide, it ranks 258 of 351.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Watertown
| Place | Distance | Renters paying 30% or more of income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | — | 42.7% (±5.2 points) | — |
| Belmont (community) | 1.8 mi | 45.6% (±6.6 points) | Not measurably different |
| Belmont | 1.8 mi | 45.6% (±6.6 points) | Not measurably different |
| Newton | 3.0 mi | 43.3% (±4.6 points) | Not measurably different |
| Cambridge | 3.1 mi | 44.9% (±2.0 points) | Not measurably different |
| Arlington (community) | 3.5 mi | 34.9% (±4.7 points) | Lower |
| Arlington | 3.5 mi | 34.9% (±4.7 points) | Lower |
| Waltham | 3.5 mi | 44.6% (±5.2 points) | Not measurably different |
| Brookline (community) | 3.6 mi | 46.8% (±3.9 points) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Arlington (community), MA (34.9%), Arlington, MA (34.9%).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Renters paying 30% or more of income across Middlesex County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Renters paying 30% or more of income |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Sudbury | 44.8% (±15.4 points) |
| 38 | Waltham | 44.6% (±5.2 points) |
| 39 | Groton | 43.8% (±18.5 points) |
| 40 | Wakefield | 43.7% (±8.9 points) |
| 41 | Newton | 43.3% (±4.6 points) |
| 42 | Wayland | 42.8% (±19.1 points) |
| 43 | Watertown | 42.7% (±5.2 points) |
| 44 | Billerica | 42.3% (±10.4 points) |
| 45 | Bedford | 42.0% (±11.1 points) |
| 46 | Stoneham | 41.9% (±8.7 points) |
| 47 | Natick | 41.8% (±7.6 points) |
| 48 | Medford | 41.0% (±4.3 points) |
| 49 | Hudson | 40.9% (±10.1 points) |
Showing 13 of 54 places in Middlesex County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Watertown
Are renters in Watertown rent-burdened?
42.7% of renting households in Watertown pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
What share of income do renters in Watertown spend on rent?
The median renting household in Watertown, MA spends 27.0% (±1.8 points) of its household income on gross rent.
Sources
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Watertown city, Massachusetts
- Median Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (B25071), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Watertown city, Massachusetts
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Watertown city, Massachusetts
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 Watertown city, Massachusetts (place:73405, in state:25).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M
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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