32 Beacon St
GloucesterMA01930
Cheap Homes for Rent in Essex, MA from $1,500 (6 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Essex.
105 Granite St
RockportMA01966
20 Beacon St
GloucesterMA01930
Top Short-Term Rental Neighborhoods in Boston: Tips from a Local Expert
Get a local expert's guide to Boston's top 5 short-term rental neighborhoods. Essential tips on Fenway, Beacon Hill, Seaport, and Allston/Brighton.
3 Piraino Ln
GloucesterMA01930
49 Mount Pleasant St
RockportMA01966
5 Pirates Ln
GloucesterMA01930
What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.
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Essex, MA Local Guide
Marina and wetlands in Essex, Massachusetts by Fletcher6 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
How much does it cost to rent a home in Essex?
| Bedroom | Average Price | Cheapest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $3,106 | $2,600 | $3,800 |
| Essex 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $7,095 | $3,200 | $10,000+ |
| Essex 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $6,808 | $4,450 | $9,000 |
| Essex 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $19,900 | $4,800 | $10,000+ |
| Essex 6 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Browse Top Homes for Rent in Essex
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Essex, MA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Essex Apartments for Rent and Nearby
The cheapest available apartment rental in Essex, MA is a Studio unit found at The Residences at St. James in the South Salem neighborhood priced from $1,400. 1 Powder House Ln in the Beverly Farms neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,672. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Essex apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Residences at St. James | Studio 60% | Studio,1BA | $1,400 |
| 1 Powder House Ln | One Bedroom 60% | 1BR,1BA | $1,672 |
| Salem Highlands | Studio, non-renovated | Studio,1BA | $1,700 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Essex, MA and Nearby
As of April 24, 2026 the best value apartment in the Essex area is the $2.70 price per square foot A7 Model at Vavel Apartments in the in the South Salem neighborhood starting from $3,950. The second greatest value Essex apartment is the B1 Model at Eagle Rock Apartments at Swampscott starting at $2,699 with a $2.08 price per square foot in the South Salem neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Essex apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vavel Apartments | A7 | 2BR,2BA | $2.70 |
| Eagle Rock Apartments at Swampscott | B1 | 2BR,2BA | $2.08 |
| 20 Locust St | Concept 2 | 2BR,2BA | $2.26 |
| 240 Conant Apartments | 2 Bed T02 | 2BR,2BA | $2.54 |
| Traders Row | B2D | 2BR,2BA | $2.90 |
| Central Grammar | 2 bed / 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $1.88 |
| Folly Hill Meadows | 870SF 1 bed | 1BR,1BA | $2.59 |
| Bayside Apartments | Country 1 BR | 1BR,1BA | $2.60 |
| The Heights At Cape Ann | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2.93 |
| Shops and Lofts at Market Street | 11 Topsfield Rd | 1BR,1BA | $2.85 |
10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease
Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.
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Boston Neighborhood Guide: Living Near UMass, MGH, and State Street
Get the local scoop! ApartmentHomeLiving's Boston Expert reveals the best neighborhoods to rent for employees of UMass Boston, Mass General Hospital, State Street, and more.
Read ArticleDon't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
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Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.
Read ArticleTop Neighborhoods Near Boston Colleges and Universities
Learn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in Boston, MA | Find Boston Off-Campus Student Housing at ApartmentHomeLiving.com
Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
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Explore Essex, MA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Essex, MA
Frequently Asked Questions about Essex
What type of rentals are currently available in Essex?
There are currently 78 Apartments for Rent in Essex, MA with pricing that ranges from $1,400 to $5,164. There are also 30 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Essex ranging from $1,500 to $35,000.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Essex?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Essex ranges from $1,500 to $35,000 with an average monthly rent of $7,929.
Expert Rental Resources
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Helpful Local Expert Guides
The 10 Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston, MA
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Boston is known for its exciting combination of early American history and modern high-tech universities and employers.
A Local Experts Guide to the Top Boston Neighborhoods for College Renters
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Hi! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston, Massachusetts! We’re excited to help you find your new home, and getting to know the neighborhood is an important part of that process!
Explore Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Boston
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Hello from Boston, Massachusetts! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston, and I’m here to give you the inside scoop on this unique city.
Boston Major Employer Neighborhood Guide: Living Near UMass, MGH, & State Street
Written by: Amelia Ramstead
Hi! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Boston, Massachusetts. Getting to know your new neighborhood is one of the best parts of moving, and we’re excited to help you get started.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips
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This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.
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This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.
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Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.
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Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.