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City · 63,266 residents · Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Brookline , Massachusetts

In Brookline, a typical home is worth $1,246,800 and typical rent is $2,835 a month. Compared with all of Norfolk County, the typical home value is 82% higher, typical rent is 32% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 22 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $1,246,800

    82% above the county

    122% above Massachusetts

    • Brookline
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

  • Typical rent

    $2,835a month

    32% above the county

    61% above Massachusetts

    • Brookline
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

  • Typical household income

    $142,101a year

    9% above the county

    37% above Massachusetts

    • Brookline
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

  • Households that own their home

    47%

    22 points below the county

    16 points below Massachusetts

    • Brookline
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$1,124,458
5.1% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$3,488 a month
4.3% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Brookline is in Norfolk County. The FHA loan limit ($962,550 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Norfolk County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Brookline apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. The typical home in Brookline is worth $1,246,800, 82% more than in Norfolk County as a whole ($683,900).

  2. Brookline has the 3rd highest typical rent of the 121 cities in Massachusetts with more than 5,000 people ($2,835).

  3. 47% of households in Brookline own their home, against 69% in Norfolk County.

  4. Nearby, in Watertown, the typical home value is $784,600: 37% less than in Brookline ($1,246,800).

  5. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Brookline fell 5.1%; in Massachusetts, it rose 2.3%.

  6. Nearby, in Newton, the typical rent is $2,370: 16% less than in Brookline ($2,835).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Brookline

What homes there are in Brookline, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Brookline, the apartment is the most common kind of home: 51%, against 25% in Norfolk County.

Year built

In Brookline, at least half of the homes were built before 1940, and 65% date from before 1960.

Homes in Brookline are smaller: 43% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Norfolk County, 59%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Norfolk County is high ($3,008): at least 56% of rents in Brookline cost less than $3,000.

Owners with a mortgage

57%

Norfolk County: 67%

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Brookline rose 34% since 2015–2019, less than in Norfolk County (45%).

The typical rent in Brookline rose 25% over the same time; in Norfolk County, it rose 35%.

Housing prices ran ahead of income in Brookline: typical income rose 21%, against +34% for home values and +25% for rent.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureBrooklineNorfolk CountyMassachusettsUnited States
Rental vacancy 2.5%4.0%3.5%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.4%0.6%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.7%2.0%2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.242.512.442.53
Drive alone 28%57%61%69%
Carpool 3%6%7%9%
Public transit 18%9%7%3%
Walk or bike 19%4%5%3%
Work from home 30%23%19%15%
Other means 1%1%2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes30 to 39 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

The rental vacancy rate in Brookline is 2.5%, lower than in Norfolk County (4.0%).

In Brookline, 1.7% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Norfolk County.

On average, a household in Brookline has 2.24 people, fewer than in Norfolk County (2.51).

Many here get to work on foot or by bike: 19%, more than in Norfolk County (4%).

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Brookline?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Brookline, worth $1,246,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 88% of the typical household income in Brookline, which is $142,101 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $445,541 a year. Note: at that price the loan is above the FHA limit for Norfolk County ($962,550), so FHA would not insure it; the payment is only a reference.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Norfolk County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Brookline. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $43,638 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$10,396

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$1,224,217
Total interest
$1,761,362
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $21,055 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $3,316 a month

  • Tight

    $3,316 to $4,263 a month

  • Hard

    more than $4,263 a month

    Your payment · 88%

Compared with the typical household income in Brookline ($142,101 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$10,396
Principal & interest$8,293
Property tax$831
Home insurance$520
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$752

This loan is over the FHA limit

You'd borrow $1,203,162, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Brookline is $962,550. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.

You need at least $43,638 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Brookline and Norfolk County

Brookline is in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Brookline's own numbers

Typical home value
$1,246,800
Typical monthly rent
$2,835
Typical yearly household income
$142,101
Households that own their home
47%
Effective property tax rate
0.8%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Norfolk County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$962,550
Conventional limit, one unit
$962,550
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,409–$3,008
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+45%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.2%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Norfolk County.

Everything about Norfolk County

Buying

Buying a home in Brookline

A typical home in Brookline is worth $1,246,800: 82% above the county and 122% above Massachusetts. With the typical household income in Brookline ($142,101 a year), a typical home costs 8.8 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Brookline 8.8 years
  • Norfolk 5.2 years
  • Massachusetts 5.4 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Norfolk County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Norfolk County rose 80% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Norfolk County.

Period County Massachusetts U.S.
Last year (2025) +3.0% +3.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +45% +49% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +80% +87% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Brookline next to Norfolk County, Massachusetts and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Brookline $1,246,800
  • Norfolk $683,900
  • Massachusetts $562,100
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Brookline $2,835
  • Norfolk $2,149
  • Massachusetts $1,762
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Brookline $142,101
  • Norfolk $130,739
  • Massachusetts $103,960
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Brookline next to Norfolk County and Massachusetts
Measure Brookline Norfolk County Massachusetts U.S.
Typical home value $1,246,800 $683,900 $562,100 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $2,835 $2,149 $1,762 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $142,101 $130,739 $103,960 $80,734
Households that own their home 47% 69% 63% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $10,001 $7,261 $5,992 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.8% 1.06% 1.07% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 47% 51% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Norfolk County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Brookline

For a typical $1,246,800 home in Brookline, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Brookline's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $10,396a month

    Above the FHA limit for Norfolk County ($962,550)
    Down payment
    $43,638
    Cash to close
    $81,042
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $752

  • Conventional, 5% down $9,967a month

    Above the conventional limit for Norfolk County ($962,550): it would be a "jumbo" loan
    Down payment
    $62,340
    Cash to close
    $99,744
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $592

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $8,108a month

    Above the conventional limit for Norfolk County ($962,550): it would be a "jumbo" loan
    Down payment
    $249,360
    Cash to close
    $286,764
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $9,260a month

    Down payment
    $187,020
    Cash to close
    $224,424
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Brookline and for Norfolk County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Brookline

0.8%of the home’s value each year

$10,001 a year for the typical owner in Brookline.

  • Brookline 0.8%
  • Norfolk 1.06%
  • Massachusetts 1.07%

What Massachusetts publishes Local senior exemption (clause 41C) (Massachusetts General Court (General Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in Massachusetts

Flood risk in Norfolk County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Norfolk County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.2%
4,629
Of those, with NFIP insurance
43%
County Massachusetts U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.2% 3% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 43% 50% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Brookline

Typical rent in Brookline is $2,835 a month: 32% above the county. In Brookline, 47% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for each area of Norfolk County; Brookline is in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($3,008 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $57.85 an hour working full time.

Fair market rent by size in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $2,440 $46.92 $97,600
1 bedroom $2,518 $48.42 $100,720
2 bedrooms $3,008 $57.85 $120,320
3 bedrooms $3,584 $68.92 $143,360
4 bedrooms $3,953 $76.02 $158,120

HUD splits this county into 2 areas with different fair market rents: for 2 bedrooms they run from $2,409 to $3,008. The table by area, below, shows which one each town is in.

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Fair market rent by HUD area in Norfolk County

HUD splits this county into 2 areas, each with its own fair market rent. Find your town in its area's list; the housing agency tells you which one it uses for your voucher.

HUD area Studio1 bd2 bd3 bd4 bdHourly wage, 2 bd
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area The area where most people liveBrookline is in this area
27 towns in this area

Bellingham town, Braintree Town city, Brookline town, Canton town, Cohasset town, Dedham town, Dover town, Foxborough town, Franklin Town city, Holbrook town, Medfield town, Medway town, Millis town, Milton town, Needham town, Norfolk town, Norwood town, Plainville town, Quincy city, Randolph city, Sharon town, Stoughton town, Walpole town, Wellesley town, Westwood town, Weymouth Town city, Wrentham town

 $2,440$2,518$3,008$3,584$3,953$57.85
Brockton, MA HUD Metro FMR Area
1 town in this area

Avon town

 $1,678$1,842$2,409$3,015$3,166$46.33

HUD fair market rent by area and size, per month, Fiscal year 2027. The wage is what full-time work must pay to rent 2 bedrooms without spending more than 30% of income. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027 Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Brookline

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Brookline has 3 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $3,860 in 02445 to $4,420 in 02446.

  • 02445 $3,860$4,600
  • 02446 $4,420$5,270
  • 02467 $4,190$4,990

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Brookline when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Brookline

HUD lists 12 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Brookline. These are the largest.

  • Village at Brookline 72 Pearl St, Brookline 307 homes, 217 low-income · 1 bd: 184 · 2 bd: 82 · 3 bd: 25 · 4 bd: 16 · In service since 1998
  • Morse Apartments 22 High St, Brookline 02445 139 low-income homes · Run by Brookline Housing Authority · Average payment: $728 a month (617) 921-2810
  • Cohen Residences 120 Centre St, Brookline 02446 99 low-income homes · For older adults
  • 51-57 Beals Street 55 Beals St, Brookline 31 low-income homes · Studio: 31 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Trustman Apts/86 Dummer Street 86 Dummer St, Brookline 25 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 11 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2015 · For families

See all 92 buildings in Norfolk County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Brookline

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Norfolk County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A man leans over the armchair where a girl is reading a book.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Brookline

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Brookline or Norfolk County. The ones below are statewide in Massachusetts: they work in Brookline the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Massachusetts

  • MassHousing Down Payment Assistance

    Statewide in Massachusetts

    Massachusetts state agency second mortgage for the down payment: up to $30,000 at 0% and deferred, or up to $25,000 at 2% or 3% over 15 years, for first-time buyers with eligible income. Offered by MassHousing.

    DeferredRepayable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Brookline

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Brookline, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Ecumenical Social Action Committee, Inc.

    434 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain · 1 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Creole.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    617-524-2555-108

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Boston, MA

    225 Centre St Ste 100, Boston · 2 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (617) 250-6244

  • Urban Edge Housing Corp.

    1542 Columbus Ave, Roxbury · 2 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Creole.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 8 more
    (617) 989-9300

Every agency in Norfolk County All counseling agencies in Massachusetts

Help in Spanish near Brookline

3 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Brookline

HUD’s record names them for Brookline or Norfolk County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Brookline Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (617) 921-2810

13 other authorities have an office in Norfolk County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Norfolk County

These cities are also in Norfolk County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Norfolk County Housing in Massachusetts
See 4 more cities in Norfolk County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Brookline, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Norfolk County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Brookline.

All guides
A smiling girl holds up a small mushroom she found on a forest outing.

Questions

Housing questions about Brookline

Short answers with the numbers for Brookline and all of Norfolk County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Brookline?

The typical home value in Brookline is $1,246,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Norfolk County it is $683,900.

How much does it cost to rent in Brookline?

Typical rent in Brookline is $2,835 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Norfolk County is $2,409–$3,008.

What is the FHA loan limit in Brookline?

Brookline uses the FHA limit for all of Norfolk County (2026): $962,550 for a one-unit home and $1,851,100 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Brookline?

The typical homeowner in Brookline pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.8% of the home’s value; in Norfolk County, the rate is 1.06%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Brookline?

There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Norfolk County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).