Median Age
42 Years
Largest Age Group
35-44 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
19%
Melrose, MA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,592
Population
28,984
Renter Mix
37% Rent
Boston suburb delights with lush greenery and Victorian architecture.
Walkable
•
Family-Friendly
•
Suburban
Just seven miles north of Boston, Melrose trades city noise for tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and a downtown that still knows its neighbors by name. Daily life here moves at a comfortable pace, with Ell Pond and Pine Banks Park offering easy escapes into nature, and a walkable downtown core packed with local shops and eateries. The MBTA Commuter Rail connects residents directly to Boston, making it a natural landing spot for anyone who wants access to the city without living in it full time. Every year, the Melrose Victorian Fair draws thousands of visitors to celebrate the city's beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, a tradition that speaks to just how proud locals are of their surroundings.
The rental market in Melrose reflects its appeal. Options range from charming multifamily homes and converted Victorian units to newer apartment communities offering updated finishes and modern amenities. Whether you're searching for a cozy studio or a spacious three-bedroom, there's solid variety across the city's compact five square miles. With neighboring communities like Malden and Wakefield close by, renters get the best of a tight-knit city alongside easy access to everything the Greater Boston region has to offer.
Popular Neighborhoods
Explore the City
Fish are bitting at Melrose's Ell Pond.
The Oak Grove stop on the Orange Line is also just a few minutes away in nearby Malden.
Flower filled shops are found all over Main Street in Melrose.
Turner’s Seafood Grill & Market in Melrose is a popular place for fresh seafood.
Rows of Cape Cod homes greet neighborhoods in Melrose.
Enjoy alfresco dining at the Rising Eagle Public House.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$130,224
Average: $151,576
Education
13,957
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
16,322
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Melrose has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
37%
Non-Renters
63%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
45%
Other Education
55%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Melrose, MA is $1,820 for a studio, $2,592 for one bedroom, $3,205 for two bedrooms, and $3,961 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Melrose has increased by 1.0% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,592/month
714 Sq Ft
House
$4,582/month
1,993 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,665/month
2,765 Sq Ft
Learn More About Melrose
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Melrose, MA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Fairly Drivable
Drivability
50
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
258 Students
Public
Grades K-5
372 Students
Public
Grades K-5
266 Students
Public
Grades K-5
387 Students
Public
Grades K-5
366 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
830 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
830 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,004 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,004 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Friends of Middlesex Fells Reservation
- Middlesex Fells Reservation
- Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo
- Breakheart Reservation
- Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site
Transit / Subway
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- General Edward Lawrence Logan International
Top Apartments in Melrose
Houses for Rent in Melrose
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.