2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Melrose - 2026 Data
The median home value in Melrose is $732,300, 160% above nat'l avg. Median rent is $1,036/month. With an affordability index of 124, Melrose is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Melrose, MA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Melrose
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Melrose is Lowell, with a median home value of $362,800.
- 2Melrose's median home value is $732,300, 160% above nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Melrose's affordability index is 124 (baseline 100), making it more affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Melrose is $1,036/month, 11% below nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Melrose to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Melrose Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$732,300
160% above nat'l avg
Median Rent
$1,036/mo
11% below nat'l avg
Median Income
$126,305
69% above nat'l avg
Affordability Index
124
24% above nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Melrose (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LowellMA | $362,800 |
| 2 | QuincyMA | $563,200 |
| 3 | LynnMA | $442,800 |
| 4 | New BedfordMA | $291,300 |
| 5 | Fall RiverMA | $328,100 |
| 6 | NewtonMA | $1,136,200 |
| 7 | FraminghamMA | $553,200 |
| 8 | HaverhillMA | $400,900 |
| 9 | MaldenMA | $570,600 |
| 10 | WalthamMA | $679,000 |
| 11 | PalmerMA | $232,300 |
| 12 | MedfordMA | $669,600 |
| 13 | RevereMA | $518,600 |
| 14 | TauntonMA | $359,500 |
| 15 | SpringfieldMA | $198,500 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $362,800
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 114,737
Walk Score: 29/100
Home Value: $563,200
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 100,981
Walk Score: 29/100
Home Value: $442,800
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 100,653
Walk Score: 29/100
4
Home Value: $291,300
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 100,620
Walk Score: 29/100
5
Home Value: $328,100
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 93,638
Walk Score: 29/100
6
Home Value: $1,136,200
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 88,453
Walk Score: 29/100
7
Home Value: $553,200
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 71,805
Walk Score: 29/100
8
Home Value: $400,900
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 67,273
Walk Score: 29/100
9
Home Value: $570,600
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 65,463
Walk Score: 29/100
10
Home Value: $679,000
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 64,711
Walk Score: 29/100
11
Home Value: $232,300
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 12,422
Walk Score: 29/100
12
Home Value: $669,600
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 61,748
Walk Score: 29/100
13
Home Value: $518,600
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 60,577
Walk Score: 29/100
14
Home Value: $359,500
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 59,436
Walk Score: 29/100
15
Home Value: $198,500
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 155,305
Walk Score: 29/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Melrose
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Melrose, MA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Lowell is the most affordable neighborhood in Melrose with a median home value of $362,800. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Melrose area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Melrose, MA?▾
The median home price in Melrose is $732,300, which is 160% above nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Melrose affordable compared to the national average?▾
Melrose has an affordability index of 124, which means housing is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Melrose, MA?▾
The median monthly rent in Melrose is $1,036. This is 11% below nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Melrose?▾
The median household income in Melrose is $126,305 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Melrose are below the national average home price?▾
2 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Melrose have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Palmer at $232,300 (Source: Kurby, 2026).