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City · 32,459 residents · Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Needham , Massachusetts

In Needham, a typical home is worth $1,188,500 and typical rent is $2,409 a month. Compared with all of Norfolk County, the typical home value is 74% higher, typical household income is 64% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $1,188,500

    74% above the county

    111% above Massachusetts

    • Needham
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

  • Typical rent

    $2,409a month

    12% above the county

    37% above Massachusetts

    • Needham
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

  • Typical household income

    $214,308a year

    64% above the county

    106% above Massachusetts

    • Needham
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

  • Households that own their home

    83%

    14 points above the county

    21 points above Massachusetts

    • Needham
    • Norfolk
    • Massachusetts

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$1,538,127
6.1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$3,702 a month
3.7% more than 12 months ago

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

Needham 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 Needham apart

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

  1. The typical home in Needham is worth $1,188,500, 74% more than in Norfolk County as a whole ($683,900).

  2. The typical household income in Needham is $214,308, 64% more than in Norfolk County as a whole ($130,739).

  3. Nearby, in Dedham, the typical home value is $661,800: 44% less than in Needham ($1,188,500).

  4. Nearby, in Cochituate, the typical rent is $1,582: 34% less than in Needham ($2,409).

  5. 83% of households in Needham own their home, against 69% in Norfolk County.

  6. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Needham rose 6.1%; in Massachusetts, it rose 2.3%.

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

The homes here

Housing in Needham

What homes there are in Needham, 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

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 74% of homes here, against 57% in Norfolk County.

Year built

In Needham, half of the homes were built before 1965; in Norfolk County, before 1964.

Homes in Needham are bigger: 77% 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

Owners with a mortgage

67%

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 Needham rose 39% since 2015–2019, less than in Norfolk County (45%).

Rents in Needham rose faster than in Norfolk County: 62% since 2015–2019, against 35%.

Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 30%, while home values changed +39% and rent +62%.

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

MeasureNeedhamNorfolk CountyMassachusettsUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.0%3.5%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.4%0.6%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.0%2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.732.512.442.53
Drive alone 53%57%61%69%
Carpool 4%6%7%9%
Public transit 8%9%7%3%
Walk or bike 2%4%5%3%
Work from home 32%23%19%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate30 to 39 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Needham are bigger: 2.73 people on average; in Norfolk County, 2.51.

Many people here do not commute at all: 32% work from home; in Norfolk County, 23%.

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 Needham?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Needham, worth $1,188,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 56% of the typical household income in Needham, which is $214,308 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $426,405 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 Needham. 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 $41,598 (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

$9,949

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$1,166,973
Total interest
$1,679,000
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $20,071 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $5,001 a month

  • Tight

    $5,001 to $6,429 a month

  • Hard

    more than $6,429 a month

    Your payment · 56%

Compared with the typical household income in Needham ($214,308 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$9,949
Principal & interest$7,905
Property tax$832
Home insurance$495
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$717

This loan is over the FHA limit

You'd borrow $1,146,902, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Needham is $962,550. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.

You need at least $41,598 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

Needham and Norfolk County

Needham 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).

Needham's own numbers

Typical home value
$1,188,500
Typical monthly rent
$2,409
Typical yearly household income
$214,308
Households that own their home
83%
Effective property tax rate
0.84%

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 Needham

A typical home in Needham is worth $1,188,500: 74% above the county and 111% above Massachusetts. With the typical household income in Needham ($214,308 a year), a typical home costs 5.5 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.

  • Needham 5.5 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

Needham 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
  • Needham $1,188,500
  • Norfolk $683,900
  • Massachusetts $562,100
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Needham $2,409
  • Norfolk $2,149
  • Massachusetts $1,762
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Needham $214,308
  • Norfolk $130,739
  • Massachusetts $103,960
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Needham next to Norfolk County and Massachusetts
Measure Needham Norfolk County Massachusetts U.S.
Typical home value $1,188,500 $683,900 $562,100 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $2,409 $2,149 $1,762 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $214,308 $130,739 $103,960 $80,734
Households that own their home 83% 69% 63% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $10,001 $7,261 $5,992 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.84% 1.06% 1.07% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 56% 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 Needham

For a typical $1,188,500 home in Needham, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Needham's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $9,949a month

    Above the FHA limit for Norfolk County ($962,550)
    Down payment
    $41,598
    Cash to close
    $77,253
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $717

  • Conventional, 5% down $9,540a month

    Above the conventional limit for Norfolk County ($962,550): it would be a "jumbo" loan
    Down payment
    $59,425
    Cash to close
    $95,080
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $565

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $7,768a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $237,700
    Cash to close
    $273,355
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $8,867a month

    Down payment
    $178,275
    Cash to close
    $213,930
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is Conventional, 20% down, no PMI.

  • 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 Needham and for Norfolk County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Needham

0.84%of the home’s value each year

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

  • Needham 0.84%
  • 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 Needham

Typical rent in Needham is $2,409 a month: 12% above the county. In Needham, 56% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for each area of Norfolk County; Needham 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 liveNeedham 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 Needham

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Needham has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $3,180 in 02494 to $3,570 in 02492.

  • 02492 $3,570$4,250
  • 02494 $3,180$3,790

A ZIP code counts for Needham 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 Needham

HUD lists 10 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Needham. These are the largest.

  • Needham Ha 46 Seabeds Way, Needham 02494 76 low-income homes · Run by Needham Housing Authority · Average payment: $659 a month (781) 444-3011
  • Nehoiden Glen 1045 Central Ave, Needham 02492 61 homes, 60 low-income · For older adults
  • High Rock Estates 100 Fairview Rd, Needham 02492 60 low-income homes · Run by Needham Housing Authority · Average payment: $824 a month · Homes at several sites (781) 444-3011
  • Webster Street II 299 Webster St, Needham 02494 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
  • West Street Apts 237 West St, Needham 02494 8 homes, 6 low-income · For people with disabilities

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

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Needham

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 shakes hands with the specialist who helped him with his loan, in the kitchen of his new home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Needham

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Needham or Norfolk County. The ones below are statewide in Massachusetts: they work in Needham 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 Needham

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

  • American Consumer Credit Counseling

    130 Rumford Ave Ste 202, Auburndale · 5 miles away

    • Reverse mortgage counseling
    (800) 769-3571

  • Ecumenical Social Action Committee, Inc.

    434 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain · 7 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Creole.

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

  • Nid-Hca Phipps

    1539 Blue Hill Ave, Boston · 8 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 8 more
    (617) 296-3693

Every agency in Norfolk County All counseling agencies in Massachusetts

Help in Spanish near Needham

2 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 Needham

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

  • Needham Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (781) 444-3011

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 Needham, 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 Needham.

All guides
A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

Questions

Housing questions about Needham

Short answers with the numbers for Needham 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 Needham?

The typical home value in Needham is $1,188,500, 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 Needham?

Typical rent in Needham is $2,409 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 Needham?

Needham 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 Needham?

The typical homeowner in Needham pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.84% of the home’s value; in Norfolk County, the rate is 1.06%.

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

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).