Average Rent in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA

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Current Versus Historical Downtown Boston, Boston, MA Rents

Downtown Boston rentals average $3,000 for a studio rental to $9,200 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $4,100, or roughly $5 per square feet.

For the apartment units and housing in January 2025, median rents have risen substantially over the last year. Studio rentals prices have increased by $336 (12.62%) year-over-year from $2,664 to $3,000. 1-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $488 (12.16%) year-over-year from $4,012 to $4,500. 2-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $802 (-13.14%) year-over-year from $6,102 to $5,300. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $3,651 (43.73%) year-over-year from $8,349 to $12,000. 4-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $4,856 (-38.83%) year-over-year from $12,506 to $7,650. Note that this figure includes all active and rented listings throughout the month.

Month-to-month, seasonality might have a bigger impact than overall trend price changes. Studio rents have gone down by 10.33% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone up by 8.60% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone down by 14.59% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 16.99% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone down by 0.00% this month.

Beds	Price / Sqft	Jan 2025 Rent	1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)	3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
Studio	$5.78	$3,000	$2,664 (12.62%)	$4,343 (-30.93%)
1 BR	$4.92	$4,500	$4,012 (12.16%)	$3,745 (20.15%)
2 BR	$4.71	$5,300	$6,102 (-13.14%)	$4,677 (13.33%)
3 BR	$5.09	$12,000	$8,349 (43.73%)	$9,645 (24.41%)
4+ BR	$3.76	$7,650	$12,506 (-38.83%)	$5,853 (30.70%)

Historical Rents in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA

Studio

1 Bed

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Top Cities Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 13 cities nearby Downtown Boston. The average rent in Downtown Boston is currently $3,000 per month. A total of 13 cities nearby have an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Lynn, MA, with an average rent of $2,150, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is Brookline, MA. Monthly rents here are on average $4,000 per month.

Let's compare Downtown Boston, Boston, MA's rent against other top cities nearby by bedroom size. Typically, rent for studios in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 33.33% more expensive than other cities nearby. One bedrooms are about 40.51% more expensive. Two bedrooms in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA are about 45.07% more expensive. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 71.37% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 10 cities out of 13 total cities near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA in the following chart.

City	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Revere, MA	$1,700	$2,300	$2,800	$2,493
Chelsea, MA	$1,750	$2,150	$2,500	$2,575
Quincy, MA	$1,675	$2,205	$2,635	$2,600
Watertown Town, MA	$2,673	$2,520	$3,000	$3,000
Medford, MA	N/A	$2,200	$2,700	$3,100
Cambridge, MA	$2,800	$3,000	$3,600	$3,450
Somerville, MA	$2,100	$2,850	$3,000	$3,498
Boston, MA	$2,500	$3,025	$3,400	$3,500
Newton, MA	$2,150	$2,350	$2,800	$3,698
Brookline, MA	$2,700	$2,850	$4,000	$4,000

Top Neighborhoods Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 12 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston. Some of these neighborhoods include Commonwealth, Uphams Corner - Jones Hill, and East Cambridge. We've included all of these top 12 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA in the following chart.

The average rent for these 12 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is currently around $3,768 per month. A total of 10 neighborhoods have a lower average rent. Meaning, only two neighborhoods have a higher average rent than $3,768. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Commonwealth has the most affordable average rent at $3,083 per month. Whereas, at $6,000 average rent per month, Mission Hill is the most expensive neighborhood in or near Downtown Boston. View the following chart for more information.

Neighborhood	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Commonwealth, Boston, MA	$238	$2,375	$3,000	$3,083
Uphams Corner - Jones Hill, Boston, MA	N/A	$2,100	$2,500	$3,500
East Cambridge, Cambridge, MA	$3,180	$3,500	$3,895	$3,500
Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood, Boston, MA	$2,500	$3,100	$3,650	$3,675
Back Bay, Boston, MA	$2,693	$3,350	$5,500	$3,688
Columbia Point, Boston, MA	N/A	$2,350	$2,800	$3,750
West End, Boston, MA	$2,810	$3,395	$4,538	$3,785
Washington Park, Boston, MA	N/A	$2,250	$3,025	$3,800
D Street - West Broadway, Boston, MA	$3,195	$3,000	$4,072	$3,940
Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA	$2,500	$2,875	$4,000	$4,000
South End, Boston, MA	$2,395	$3,300	$4,435	$4,150
Mission Hill, Boston, MA	N/A	$2,600	$3,750	$6,000

Top Counties Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 12 counties located by Downtown Boston, Boston, MA. Some of these counties include Revere, MA, Chelsea, MA, and Quincy, MA. The average rent for rentals in these counties is $3,000. That's roughly around $3 per sqft. A total of 13 counties have a lower average rent. The county that is the most affordable is Lynn, MA. It's average rent per month is $2,150. Vice versa, with an average rent of $4,000, Brookline, MA is the most expensive county by Downtown Boston, Boston, MA.

Typically, rent for studios in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 33.33% more expensive than other counties nearby. In comparison, rent for one bedroom listings in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 40.51% more expensive than other counties nearby. Finally, rent for two bedrooms in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 45.07% more expensive than other counties nearby. We've listed the top 10 counties in the chart below.

County	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Revere, MA	$1,700	$2,300	$2,800	$2,493
Chelsea, MA	$1,750	$2,150	$2,500	$2,575
Quincy, MA	$1,675	$2,205	$2,635	$2,600
Watertown Town, MA	$2,673	$2,520	$3,000	$3,000
Medford, MA	N/A	$2,200	$2,700	$3,100
Cambridge, MA	$2,800	$3,000	$3,600	$3,450
Somerville, MA	$2,100	$2,850	$3,000	$3,498
Boston, MA	$2,500	$3,025	$3,400	$3,500
Newton, MA	$2,150	$2,350	$2,800	$3,698
Brookline, MA	$2,700	$2,850	$4,000	$4,000

Top Zipcodes Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 4 zipcodes in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA. The average rent for all of these zipcodes is $3,574. A total of 2 zipcodes have a average rent that is lower than that. The zipcode with the most affordable average rent for apartment listings is 02128, Boston, MA at $3,000 per month. In comparison, the zipcode with the most expensive average rent of $4,200 per month is 02116, Boston, MA.

Studios in these zipcodes have an average rent of $2,361. That's at least $4 per sqft. Do you need more space than that? Average rent for one bedroom rentals for the zipcodes in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is $2,919 per month. Or in other words, $4 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $3,800 per month. Which comes out to $4 per sqft. The following chart includes the top 4 zipcodes in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA. You can view the average rent breakdown for each zipcode by bedroom size.

Zipcode	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
02116, Boston, MA	$3,000	$3,350	$5,200	$4,200
02118, Boston, MA	$350	$3,318	$4,500	$4,148
02128, Boston, MA	$2,050	$2,425	$3,100	$3,000
02472, Watertown Town, MA	$2,673	$2,520	$3,000	$3,000

Frequently Asked Questions - Downtown Boston Average Rents

What is the average rent price in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA?

The average monthly rental price for Downtown Boston, Boston, MA apartments for rent is approximately $4,100. This calculation takes into consideration rental listings of varying bedroom/bathroom sizes, building types, and locations.

Do Downtown Boston, Boston, MA rent prices drop in winter?

Yes! On average we see a 3.4% drop in rental prices between the peak summer months and the slower winter months. With the added bonus of decreased competition from other renters looking to move, winter is generally considered the best time of the year to find an apartment for rent in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA.

How much is a studio apartment in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA?

The average monthly rental price for studio apartments is $3,000 and an average price per square feet of $5.78. There are a total of 10 studio apartment listings currently available for rent in Downtown Boston.

How much is a one bedroom apartment in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA?

The average monthly rental price for one bedroom apartments is $3,950 and an average price per square feet of $4.92. There are a total of 27 one bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in Downtown Boston.

How much is a two bedroom apartment in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA?

The average monthly rental price for two bedroom apartments is $5,098 and an average price per square feet of $4.71. There are a total of 30 two bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in Downtown Boston.

How have rent prices in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA changed this year?

Rent prices for rentals in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA can fluctuate yearly. Specifically, studio rental prices have changed by 0.13%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.12%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by -0.13%, and three bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.44% year-over-year.

What is a reasonable rent price in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA?

A reasonable rent price in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is around $3,280/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.