Barnstable County, MA at a glance
Median household income
$95,241$7,937 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Barnstable County, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Barnstable County, MA? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Barnstable Town, MA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,834 | $22,008 | $73,360 | 23.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,846 | $22,152 | $73,840 | 23.3% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,422 | $29,064 | $96,880 | 30.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,985 | $35,820 | $119,400 | 37.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,428 | $41,136 | $137,120 | 43.2% |
Rent in Barnstable County, MA, with the wage each unit needs →
What a typical income covers in Barnstable County, MA
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $95,241 a year ($7,937 a month before tax).
What $95,241 leaves after Massachusetts taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Massachusetts tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Massachusetts
Living in Barnstable County, MA: common questions
What is the median household income in Barnstable County, MA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Barnstable County, MA is $95,241 per year (approximately $7,937 per month).
What is the average rent in Barnstable County, MA?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,834 for a studio, $1,846 for one bedroom, $2,422 for two, $2,985 for three and $3,428 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Barnstable County, MA expensive to live in?
Prices there run 1.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 98.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Barnstable County, MA?
To keep a $2,422 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $96,880 a year, or $8,073 a month. That is 102% of what the typical household in Barnstable County, MA earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Barnstable County, MA?
On the local median income of $95,241 ($7,937 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,968 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,381 for everything else and $1,587 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,422 takes 61% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Barnstable County, MA?
Homes in Massachusetts paid 29.6¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $266. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.