FairRentWize

Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs El Centro

Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data

Quick Answer

El Centro is 110% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $834/mo vs $1,754/mo in Boston-Cambridge-Newton — saving $11,040/year.

Rent by Unit Size

Unit SizeBoston-Cambridge-NewtonEl CentroDifference
Studio$1,196$556$640
1 Bedroom$1,409$706$703
2 Bedrooms$1,754$834$920
3 Bedrooms$2,044$1,056$988
4 Bedrooms$2,555$1,186$1,369
Median Income$100,795$50,743$50,052

Boston-Cambridge-Newton

Studio
$1,196/mo
1 BR
$1,409/mo
2 BR
$1,754/mo
3 BR
$2,044/mo
4 BR
$2,555/mo
Median Income
$100,795/yr
Full Boston-Cambridge-Newton profile →

El Centro

Studio
$556/mo
1 BR
$706/mo
2 BR
$834/mo
3 BR
$1,056/mo
4 BR
$1,186/mo
Median Income
$50,743/yr
Full El Centro profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston-Cambridge-Newton or El Centro cheaper to rent in?
El Centro is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $834/mo vs $1,754/mo in Boston-Cambridge-Newton. That's $920/mo or $11,040/year more expensive in Boston-Cambridge-Newton (110% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs El Centro?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Newton is $1,754/month. In El Centro, a 2-bedroom FMR is $834/month.
How do incomes compare between Boston-Cambridge-Newton and El Centro?
The median household income in Boston-Cambridge-Newton is $100,795/year. In El Centro it is $50,743/year. Boston-Cambridge-Newton has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs El Centro?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Boston-Cambridge-Newton is $1,196/mo. In El Centro it is $556/mo.