The Boston metro is home to 4,917,661 people (up 2.2% over five years), with a median household income of $112,484. Typical rent of $2,987/month works out to 31.9% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Boston's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 27.2% |
| Professional & management | 17.4% |
| Retail trade | 9.3% |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 8.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 31.9% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Boston market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,987/month suggests a household income around $119,000/year. The metro's median household income is $112,484.
By workforce share: Education & health care (27.2%), Professional & management (17.4%), Retail trade (9.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).