Average Rent in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA

Current Versus Historical Downtown Boston, Boston, MA Rents

Downtown Boston rentals average $2,820 for a studio rental to $5,190 for a 3-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $3,650, or roughly $4 per square feet.

For the apartment units and housing in May 2024, median rents have risen substantially over the last year. Studio rentals prices have increased by $1,020 (30.35%) year-over-year from $3,362 to $4,382. 1-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $617 (14.53%) year-over-year from $4,245 to $4,862. 2-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $59 (-1.21%) year-over-year from $4,874 to $4,815. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $3,012 (33.17%) year-over-year from $9,081 to $12,093. 4-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $717 (12.84%) year-over-year from $5,583 to $6,300. 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 up by 12.95% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone up by 4.45% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone down by 4.12% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 34.65% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone down by 2.58% this month.

Beds	Price / Sqft	May 2024 Rent	1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)	3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
Studio	$4.91	$4,382	$3,362 (30.35%)	$2,291 (91.26%)
1 BR	$4.34	$4,862	$4,245 (14.53%)	$2,989 (62.64%)
2 BR	$4.07	$4,815	$4,874 (-1.21%)	$3,979 (21.01%)
3 BR	$3.53	$12,093	$9,081 (33.17%)	$4,736 (155.35%)

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 3 cities nearby Downtown Boston. The average rent in Downtown Boston is currently $3,455 per month. A total of 2 cities nearby have an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Brookline, MA, with an average rent of $3,200, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is Boston, MA. Monthly rents here are on average $3,676 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 4.79% more affordable than other cities nearby. One bedrooms are about 8.94% more expensive. Two bedrooms in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA are about 12.54% more expensive. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 26.54% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 3 cities near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA in the following chart.

City	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Brookline, MA	$2,015	$2,600	$3,200	$3,200
Cambridge, MA	$2,955	$3,075	$3,809	$3,455
Boston, MA	$2,967	$3,505	$4,431	$3,676

Top Neighborhoods Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 8 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston. Some of these neighborhoods include North Cambridge, South End, and East Cambridge. We've included all of these top 8 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA in the following chart.

The average rent for these 8 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is currently around $3,711 per month. A total of 3 neighborhoods have a lower average rent. Meaning, only five neighborhoods have a higher average rent than $3,711. Interestingly, the neighborhoods' average rent is higher than Downtown Boston's average rent, which is only $3,650. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, North Cambridge has the most affordable average rent at $3,065 per month. Whereas, at $4,174 average rent per month, Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood is the most expensive neighborhood in or near Downtown Boston. View the following chart for more information.

Neighborhood	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
North Cambridge, Cambridge, MA	$2,814	$2,944	$3,559	$3,065
South End, Boston, MA	$2,967	$3,536	$4,907	$3,590
East Cambridge, Cambridge, MA	$3,047	$3,353	$4,363	$3,637
West End, Boston, MA	$2,890	$3,575	$5,010	$3,695
Chinatown - Leather District, Boston, MA	$3,304	$3,598	$5,254	$3,728
D Street - West Broadway, Boston, MA	$3,158	$3,694	$4,827	$3,978
Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA	$3,245	$4,035	$4,661	$4,053
Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood, Boston, MA	$3,400	$4,096	$4,927	$4,174

Top Counties Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 8 counties located by Downtown Boston, Boston, MA. Some of these counties include Brookline, MA, Cambridge, MA, and Boston, MA. The average rent for rentals in these counties is $3,455. That's roughly around $4 per sqft. A total of 2 counties have a lower average rent. The county that is the most affordable is Brookline, MA. It's average rent per month is $3,200. Vice versa, with an average rent of $3,676, Boston, MA is the most expensive county by Downtown Boston, Boston, MA.

Typically, rent for studios in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 4.79% more affordable than other counties nearby. In comparison, rent for one bedroom listings in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 8.94% more expensive than other counties nearby. Finally, rent for two bedrooms in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 12.54% more expensive than other counties nearby. We've listed the top 3 counties in the chart below.

County	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Brookline, MA	$2,015	$2,600	$3,200	$3,200
Cambridge, MA	$2,955	$3,075	$3,809	$3,455
Boston, MA	$2,967	$3,505	$4,431	$3,676

Top Zipcodes Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 12 zipcodes in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA. The average rent for all of these zipcodes is $3,602. A total of 6 zipcodes have a average rent that is lower than that. The zipcode with the most affordable average rent for apartment listings is 02138, Cambridge, MA at $2,859 per month. In comparison, the zipcode with the most expensive average rent of $4,092 per month is 02215, Boston, MA.

Studios in these zipcodes have an average rent of $2,840. That's at least $6 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 $3,483 per month. Or in other words, $5 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $4,406 per month. Which comes out to $4 per sqft. The following chart includes the top 10 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
02109, Boston, MA	N/A	$3,339	$4,378	$3,533
02114, Boston, MA	$2,820	$3,450	$4,400	$3,695
02116, Boston, MA	$2,860	$3,515	$4,979	$3,685
02210, Boston, MA	$3,155	$3,688	$4,878	$3,956
02142, Cambridge, MA	$3,245	$3,848	$4,507	$4,053
02118, Boston, MA	$2,967	$3,540	$4,907	$3,670
02141, Cambridge, MA	$3,042	$3,630	$4,411	$3,455
02215, Boston, MA	$2,660	$4,094	$4,987	$4,092
02134, Boston, MA	$3,199	$2,810	$3,200	$3,413
02138, Cambridge, MA	$2,515	$2,725	$3,573	$2,859

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 $3,650. 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 $2,820 and an average price per square feet of $4.91. There are a total of 31 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 $3,377 and an average price per square feet of $4.34. There are a total of 103 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 $4,355 and an average price per square feet of $4.07. There are a total of 65 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 0.30%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.15%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by -0.01%, and three bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.33% 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 $2,920/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.