North Shore Rent Index · September 2026

North Shore rents ease 2.4% on the year as listings reach a 12-month high

Monthly asking rents, supply and time on market across 45 towns and cities on Boston's North Shore. Covers August 2026 data.

  • The average asking rent across the Chelworths service area was $2,746 in August 2026, down 0.1% on the month and down 2.4% on August 2025 ($2,814).
  • 5,888 rentals were on the market, up 8.6% on a year ago, the highest count in the 13 months tracked.
  • Homes took an average of 31.8 days to let, compared with 30.7 days a year earlier.
Liam Davies , Founder, Chelworths Property Management Group:
“Renters on the North Shore have more choice than at any point in the last year. There were 5,888 homes on the market in August and asking rents have barely moved since May. That's unusual for the summer, when we'd normally expect rents to firm up ahead of the September moves.”
“Studios have seen the biggest fall, down 4.5% on the year, and two bedroom homes are taking about five days longer to let than they were last August. Swampscott, Reading and Danvers are still seeing growth, so the picture varies a lot from one town to the next.”
“Pricing matters more than ever right now. Homes that let quickly are priced in line with current comparables for their town and size. If a listing hasn't had much interest after two weeks, the price is usually the reason, and a small adjustment early costs a landlord far less than another month of vacancy.”

Average asking rent, August 2026

Change on the previous month and the same month last year

All homes
$2,746
-0.1% on month
-2.4% on year
Studio
$2,027
-0.5% on month
-4.5% on year
1 bed
$2,361
-0.1% on month
-3.1% on year
2 bed
$2,933
-0.2% on month
-2.5% on year
3 bed
$3,299
-1.4% on month
-2.4% on year
Active listings
5,888
+2.9% on month
+8.6% on year
Avg days on market
31.8
30.7 days a year ago
New listings
2,836
added in August
Towns covered
45
52 ZIP codes

Market summary

Asking rents across the North Shore were broadly flat in August 2026. The service area average asking rent fell to $2,746, 2.0% above the January low of $2,691. Over the full year rents are down 2.4%, with most of that fall coming between August and January, the quieter autumn and winter letting months.

Supply continued to grow. Active listings rose 2.9% on the month to 5,888, and are 8.6% higher than in August 2025. Asking rents have stayed within 0.5% of $2,746 since May while the number of homes on the market kept rising. Time on market has improved from its December high of 37.8 days, but remains slower than a year ago.

By size, studios saw the largest annual fall (-4.5% to $2,027), while three bedroom homes held up best (-2.4% to $3,299). Two bedroom homes, the largest segment with 2,246 listings, averaged $2,933 (-2.5%) and took 30.3 days to let, against 25.5 days a year ago. Three bedroom homes were the slowest to let at 44.5 days.

Among towns with at least 10 listings, Swampscott, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Reading recorded the strongest annual growth (+11.9%, +10.7%, +6.4%). The largest falls were in Lawrence, Marblehead and Gloucester (-16.7%, -7.1%, -6.8%). Lawrence's listing count has grown to 309 from 228 a year ago, a 36% increase in supply.

The five largest rental markets, Revere, Malden, Lynn, Everett and Chelsea, account for 47% of listings in the service area. Of towns with 30 or more listings, homes let fastest in North Reading, Lynnfield and Peabody (4, 6, 16 days) and slowest in Marblehead, Newburyport and Winthrop. Lawrence, Haverhill and Lynn remain the most affordable markets, with average asking rents from $2,133.

Average asking rent

All property types, service area, Aug 25 to Aug 26

$2,650 $2,700 $2,750 $2,800 $2,850 Aug 25 Oct 25 Dec 25 Feb 26 Apr 26 Jun 26 Aug 26 $2,746
$2,650 $2,700 $2,750 $2,800 $2,850 Aug 25 Dec 25 Apr 26 Aug 26 $2,746

Average asking rent by bedrooms

Studio, one, two and three bedroom homes

Studio 1 bed 2 bed 3 bed
$1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500 Aug 25 Oct 25 Dec 25 Feb 26 Apr 26 Jun 26 Aug 26 3 bed $3,299 2 bed $2,933 1 bed $2,361 Studio $2,027
$1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500 Aug 25 Dec 25 Apr 26 Aug 26 3 bed $3,299 2 bed $2,933 1 bed $2,361 Studio $2,027

Active rental listings

Homes on the market each month

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 Aug 25 Oct 25 4,955 Dec 25 Feb 26 Apr 26 Jun 26 5,888 Aug 26
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 Aug 25 Dec 25 Apr 26 5,888 Aug 26

Time to let

Average days on market for active listings

0 days 20 days 40 days 60 days Aug 25 Oct 25 Dec 25 Feb 26 Apr 26 Jun 26 Aug 26 31.8 days
0 days 20 days 40 days 60 days Aug 25 Dec 25 Apr 26 Aug 26 31.8 days

Town by town

Where the rentals are

Average monthly active listings, Sep 25 to Aug 26, 20 largest markets

0 200 400 600 Revere 588 Malden 555 Lynn 510 Everett 462 Chelsea 447 Salem 309 Haverhill 265 Lawrence 263 Melrose 217 Peabody 197 Andover 167 Beverly 161 Danvers 110 Winthrop 108 Wakefield 95 Methuen 95 Saugus 92 Gloucester 82 North Andover 81 Stoneham 80
0 200 400 600 Revere 588 Malden 555 Lynn 510 Everett 462 Chelsea 447 Salem 309 Haverhill 265 Lawrence 263 Melrose 217 Peabody 197 Andover 167 Beverly 161 Danvers 110 Winthrop 108 Wakefield 95 Methuen 95 Saugus 92 Gloucester 82 North Andover 81 Stoneham 80

Days on market by town

Average days on market, August 2026, towns with 30 or more listings

0 20 40 60 North Reading 4 Lynnfield 6 Peabody 16 Melrose 17 Saugus 17 Swampscott 21 Methuen 23 Amesbury 26 Stoneham 26 Lawrence 28 Revere 29 Danvers 31 Chelsea 31 Lynn 32 Everett 32 North Andover 33 Andover 34 Beverly 34 Haverhill 34 Salem 36 Malden 40 Wakefield 41 Reading 43 Gloucester 43 Winthrop 45 Newburyport 46 Marblehead 48
0 20 40 60 North Reading 4 Lynnfield 6 Peabody 16 Melrose 17 Saugus 17 Swampscott 21 Methuen 23 Amesbury 26 Stoneham 26 Lawrence 28 Revere 29 Danvers 31 Chelsea 31 Lynn 32 Everett 32 North Andover 33 Andover 34 Beverly 34 Haverhill 34 Salem 36 Malden 40 Wakefield 41 Reading 43 Gloucester 43 Winthrop 45 Newburyport 46 Marblehead 48

Annual change in asking rent

Aug 26 vs Aug 25. Towns with fewer than 10 listings are excluded

Rent up Rent down
-20% -10% 0% 10% Swampscott +11.9% Manchester-by-the-Sea +10.7% Reading +6.4% Danvers +6.2% North Andover +5.6% Salisbury +5.0% Newbury +4.1% Andover +3.2% Everett +2.3% North Reading +2.3% Revere +2.0% Newburyport +0.9% Beverly +0.1% Lynnfield -0.1% Malden -0.2% Groveland -0.5% Melrose -1.3% Lynn -1.5% Saugus -1.6% Nahant -2.1% Chelsea -3.4% Winthrop -4.0% Wakefield -4.1% Ipswich -4.3% Methuen -4.6% Haverhill -4.8% Amesbury -4.8% Stoneham -5.3% Salem -5.6% Peabody -6.2% Rockport -6.6% Gloucester -6.8% Marblehead -7.1% Lawrence -16.7%
-20% -10% 0% 10% Swampscott +11.9% Manchester +10.7% Reading +6.4% Danvers +6.2% North Andover +5.6% Salisbury +5.0% Newbury +4.1% Andover +3.2% Everett +2.3% North Reading +2.3% Revere +2.0% Newburyport +0.9% Beverly +0.1% Lynnfield -0.1% Malden -0.2% Groveland -0.5% Melrose -1.3% Lynn -1.5% Saugus -1.6% Nahant -2.1% Chelsea -3.4% Winthrop -4.0% Wakefield -4.1% Ipswich -4.3% Methuen -4.6% Haverhill -4.8% Amesbury -4.8% Stoneham -5.3% Salem -5.6% Peabody -6.2% Rockport -6.6% Gloucester -6.8% Marblehead -7.1% Lawrence -16.7%

All towns, August 2026

Average asking rent, change, rent by bedrooms, listings and days on market. * fewer than 10 listings, treat with caution. Bedroom rents with fewer than 3 listings are not shown.

Town Avg rent Month Year Studio 1 bed 2 bed 3 bed Listings 12-mo avg listings Days on market
Amesbury $2,728 +0.6% -4.8% – $2,455 $2,839 $3,633 40 46 26
Andover $3,018 +2.3% +3.2% $1,663 $2,427 $2,938 $4,228 203 167 34
Beverly $2,745 0.0% +0.1% $2,000 $2,340 $2,804 $3,501 178 161 34
Boxford* $5,500 0.0% n/a – – – – 1 2 33
Byfield* $3,600 +12.6% +28.6% – – – – 2 2 53
Chelsea $2,676 +1.4% -3.4% $1,893 $2,550 $3,018 $3,276 402 447 31
Danvers $3,001 +2.4% +6.2% – $2,452 $3,067 $4,159 98 110 31
Essex* $3,496 +1.3% +12.8% – – – $4,300 7 5 39
Everett $2,920 +0.4% +2.3% $2,427 $2,659 $3,260 $3,062 551 462 32
Georgetown* $2,557 +6.2% +18.3% – – $2,530 – 8 5 79
Gloucester $2,960 -3.6% -6.8% $1,633 $2,057 $2,693 $3,613 96 82 43
Groveland $2,562 +5.6% -0.5% – $1,774 $2,433 – 12 4 23
Hamilton* $3,890 -9.5% -10.2% – – – – 5 3 18
Haverhill $2,167 -1.5% -4.8% $1,887 $1,934 $2,315 $2,633 284 265 34
Ipswich $3,017 -2.1% -4.3% – – $2,924 $3,583 11 16 67
Lawrence $2,133 +1.8% -16.7% $2,010 $1,645 $2,504 $2,733 309 263 28
Lynn $2,302 -1.1% -1.5% $1,691 $2,113 $2,464 $2,920 642 510 32
Lynnfield $3,590 +2.4% -0.1% – $3,206 $3,838 – 43 39 6
Malden $2,786 +0.8% -0.2% $2,085 $2,409 $3,072 $3,037 607 555 40
Manchester-by-the-Sea $4,987 -0.4% +10.7% – $2,998 $4,389 $4,717 27 25 44
Marblehead $3,279 -10.2% -7.1% – $2,061 $3,108 $4,317 59 62 48
Melrose $3,099 -0.6% -1.3% $1,749 $2,644 $3,312 $3,956 242 217 17
Merrimac* $2,907 +13.5% -0.6% – $2,350 $3,367 – 7 6 24
Methuen $2,366 -1.8% -4.6% $1,444 $2,019 $2,624 $2,731 100 95 23
Middleton* $3,121 -14.2% -0.1% – – $3,144 – 7 8 75
Nahant $2,877 +1.8% -2.1% – $2,258 – – 12 13 67
Newbury $3,426 +4.2% +4.1% – – $2,850 $3,557 19 13 29
Newburyport $3,249 +0.2% +0.9% – $2,116 $3,785 $3,737 49 51 46
North Andover $2,818 -3.9% +5.6% $2,169 $2,445 $2,857 $3,699 77 81 33
North Reading $2,720 -8.2% +2.3% – $2,423 $3,122 – 50 47 4
Peabody $2,756 -0.8% -6.2% $1,616 $2,445 $2,895 $3,542 237 197 16
Reading $3,069 -2.4% +6.4% – $2,235 $3,263 $3,583 43 34 43
Revere $2,882 +1.2% +2.0% $2,217 $2,587 $3,070 $3,455 601 588 29
Rockport $2,887 -3.9% -6.6% – $2,375 $2,753 $3,076 29 28 35
Rowley* $2,560 -4.5% +11.9% – – – – 5 5 43
Salem $2,723 -3.1% -5.6% $1,911 $2,387 $2,849 $3,159 332 309 36
Salisbury $2,658 +3.5% +5.0% $1,925 $2,675 $2,498 $2,788 25 24 67
Saugus $2,923 -1.4% -1.6% $2,224 $2,612 $3,139 $3,528 113 92 17
Stoneham $3,167 -2.3% -5.3% $1,869 $2,936 $3,179 $3,480 85 80 26
Swampscott $3,367 +5.3% +11.9% – $2,656 $3,199 $5,260 64 70 21
Topsfield* $2,733 0.0% -23.3% – – – – 3 2 65
Wakefield $2,866 +2.3% -4.1% $2,376 $2,465 $3,099 $3,738 86 95 41
Wenham* $2,788 0.0% -20.3% – – $2,750 – 4 2 178
West Newbury* $4,150 -35.7% +12.2% – – – – 4 2 32
Winthrop $2,817 +1.7% -4.0% $1,798 $2,289 $2,731 $3,357 109 108 45
Service area $2,746 -0.1% -2.4% $2,027 $2,361 $2,933 $3,299 5,888 5,396 32

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About the North Shore Rent Index

The index is published monthly by Chelworths Property Management Group. The September 2026 edition covers August 2026 data and compares it with the previous 12 months. Figures are based on active residential rental listings from RentCast across 52 ZIP codes in 45 towns and cities in Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk counties.

Rents are average asking rents, not achieved rents. Service area and town figures are listing-weighted averages across each ZIP code, so larger markets carry more weight. Studio figures are zero bedroom listings. Days on market is the average number of days active listings had been on the market, used here as a measure of time to let. Towns with fewer than 10 active listings are marked * and excluded from town rankings, as small samples can move sharply month to month. Monthly figures may be revised as the source data updates.

This report is general market information and not an appraisal of any individual property. Data retrieved September 16, 2026. © 2026 Chelworths Property Management Group.