Average Rent in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA

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Current Versus Historical Downtown Boston, Boston, MA Rents

Downtown Boston rentals average $3,040 for a studio rental to $0 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $4,000, or roughly $5 per square feet.
For the apartment units and housing in February 2025, median rents have fallen substantiallyover the last year. Studio rentals prices have decreased by $348 (-11.24%) year-over-year from $3,095 to $2,748. 1-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $766 (-17.33%) year-over-year from $4,421 to $3,655. 2-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $1,318 (-22.86%) year-over-year from $5,763 to $4,445. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $6,351 (73.86%) year-over-year from $8,599 to $14,950. 4-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $730 (6.21%) year-over-year from $11,770 to $12,500. 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 15.90% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone down by 5.55% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone down by 20.95% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 58.64% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone up by 63.40% this month.
Beds
Price / Sqft
Feb 2025 Rent 1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-) 3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
Studio $6.17 $2,748 $3,095 (-11.24%) $4,359 (-36.97%)
1 BR $5.00 $3,655 $4,421 (-17.33%) $4,303 (-15.06%)
2 BR $4.18 $4,445 $5,763 (-22.86%) $4,812 (-7.62%)
3 BR $5.43 $14,950 $8,599 (73.86%) $9,645 (55.00%)

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 14 cities nearby Downtown Boston. The average rent in Downtown Boston is currently $3,021 per month. A total of 14 cities nearby have an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Lynn, MA, with an average rent of $2,100, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is Cambridge, MA. Monthly rents here are on average $3,708 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 41.61% more expensive than other cities nearby. One bedrooms are about 41.41% more expensive. Two bedrooms in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA are about 40.11% more expensive. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 77.26% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 10 cities out of 14 total cities near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA in the following chart.
City Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed All
Quincy, MA $1,625 $2,200 $2,600 $2,545
Revere, MA $1,850 $2,200 $2,800 $2,600
Chelsea, MA $1,600 $2,100 $2,625 $2,700
Malden, MA N/A $2,200 $2,800 $2,775
Watertown Town, MA $2,600 $2,743 $3,000 $3,000
Somerville, MA $2,134 $2,800 $3,300 $3,400
Medford, MA $1,410 $2,000 $2,800 $3,400
Boston, MA $2,500 $3,150 $3,500 $3,600
Brookline, MA $2,200 $2,800 $3,750 $3,700
Cambridge, MA $2,800 $3,100 $4,020 $3,708

Top Neighborhoods Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 10 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston. Some of these neighborhoods include Commonwealth, St. Elizabeth's, and Columbia Point. We've included all of these top 10 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA in the following chart.

The average rent for these 10 neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is currently around $3,789 per month. A total of 8 neighborhoods have a lower average rent. Meaning, only two neighborhoods have a higher average rent than $3,789. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near Downtown Boston, Commonwealth has the most affordable average rent at $3,000 per month. Whereas, at $5,600 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 $175 $2,425 $2,900 $3,000
St. Elizabeth's, Boston, MA $210 $2,700 $3,595 $3,300
Columbia Point, Boston, MA N/A $2,400 $2,800 $3,600
Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood, Boston, MA $2,600 $3,200 $3,725 $3,700
East Cambridge, Cambridge, MA $3,230 $3,435 $4,166 $3,778
Back Bay, Boston, MA $2,748 $3,450 $5,350 $3,800
Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA $2,085 $2,750 $3,800 $3,800
South End, Boston, MA $2,835 $3,485 $4,210 $3,975
D Street - West Broadway, Boston, MA $2,803 $3,250 $4,500 $4,118
Mission Hill, Boston, MA $1,238 $3,050 $3,700 $5,600

Top Counties Near Downtown Boston

There are a total of 10 counties located by Downtown Boston, Boston, MA. Some of these counties include Quincy, MA, Revere, MA, and Chelsea, MA. The average rent for rentals in these counties is $3,021. That's roughly around $3 per sqft. A total of 14 counties have a lower average rent. The county that is the most affordable is Lynn, MA. It's average rent per month is $2,100. Vice versa, with an average rent of $3,708, Cambridge, MA is the most expensive county by Downtown Boston, Boston, MA.

Typically, rent for studios in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 41.61% more expensive than other counties nearby. In comparison, rent for one bedroom listings in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 41.41% more expensive than other counties nearby. Finally, rent for two bedrooms in Downtown Boston, Boston, MA is 40.11% more expensive than other counties nearby. We've listed all of these counties in the chart below.
County Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed All
Quincy, MA $1,625 $2,200 $2,600 $2,545
Revere, MA $1,850 $2,200 $2,800 $2,600
Chelsea, MA $1,600 $2,100 $2,625 $2,700
Malden, MA N/A $2,200 $2,800 $2,775
Watertown Town, MA $2,600 $2,743 $3,000 $3,000
Somerville, MA $2,134 $2,800 $3,300 $3,400
Medford, MA $1,410 $2,000 $2,800 $3,400
Boston, MA $2,500 $3,150 $3,500 $3,600
Brookline, MA $2,200 $2,800 $3,750 $3,700
Cambridge, MA $2,800 $3,100 $4,020 $3,708

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 $3,498. A total of 3 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 $2,708. That's at least $5 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 $3,109 per month. Or in other words, $5 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $3,615 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 $3,475 $5,200 $4,200
02118, Boston, MA $2,815 $3,500 $4,230 $3,995
02128, Boston, MA $2,275 $2,375 $3,000 $3,000
02472, Watertown Town, MA $2,600 $2,743 $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 $4,000. 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 $3,040 and an average price per square feet of $6.17. There are a total of 13 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 $3,840 and an average price per square feet of $5.00. There are a total of 39 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 $4,675 and an average price per square feet of $4.18. There are a total of 35 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 -0.11%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by -0.17%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by -0.23%, and three bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.74% 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 $3,200/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.
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