Boston renters continue to grapple with increasing rents across the city. The city remains one of the most expensive rental markets nationwide, and renters rely on the MBTA for their commutes and daily activities.
Each year, the Data Science team at RentHop maps out median rents by each MBTA T train stop to help renters navigate the Boston rental market. Our findings this year include:
Key Findings
- Of the 117 MBTA stops included in our study, 88% saw an increase in one-bedroom rents this year.
- The stops that witnessed the largest increases in rents include Stony Brook ($2,850, +11.76%), Magoun Square ($2,725, +11.22%), and Kent Street ($2,997.50, +10.00%).
- Six stops witnessed a slight decrease in one-bedroom rents this year, including Roxbury Crossing ($2,800, -5.08%), Brookline Hills ($2,600, -3.70%), and Suffolk Downs ($2,250, -2.17%).
- One-bedroom rents remained the same at eight stopes this year, including Kenmore ($2,800) and Fenwood Road ($2,800).
- All stops along the Red Line increased in rent this year, with significant increases along the Ashmont branch.
- The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Boston increased 32.53% since last year, as low inventory drives up demand and prices.
Our Interactive MBTA Map Shows All Train Stations With Rents and YoY Fluctuations
To calculate the median rent for the map above, we used RentHop unfurnished one-bedroom apartments created between February 1, 2024, and May 31, 2024, as well as Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) GIS data for T stops from MBTA’s Open Data portal.
To get accurate prices near the subway stops, we looked first at non-duplicated listings within 0.62 miles of an MBTA stop. If there were 20 unique data points, we calculated the median. If not, the radius from the stop was increased to 1.2 miles, and the data was resampled to ensure that enough unique listings were used when calculating the median.
The Biggest Rent Hikes On One-Bedroom Apartments
- Stony Brook (Orange) – $2,850, YoY +11.76%
- Magoun Square (Green) – $2,725, +11.22%
- Kent Street (Green) – $2,997.50, +10.00%
- Shawmut (Red) – $2,250, +9.89%
- Capen Street (Red) – $2087.50, +9.87%
Here are the Most Expensive MBTA Stops, Based on One-Bedroom Rents
- Tufts Medical Center (Orange) – $3,931, YoY +3.64%
- Broadway (Red) – $3,928, +9.81%
- Kendall/MIT (Red) – $3,515, +8.32%
- Boylston (Green) – $3,500 +7.69%
- Arlington (Green) – $3,500, +2.94%
One-Bedroom Rents Decreased Most at These Five Stops
- Roxbury Crossing (Orange) – $2,800, YoY -5.08%
- Brookline Hills (Green) – $2,600, -3.70%
- Suffolk Downs (Blue) – $2,250, -2.17%
- Washington Square (Green) – $2,450, -2.00%
- Longwood (Green) -$2,750, -1.79%
Here are the Least Expensive MBTA Stops, Based on One-Bedroom Rents
- North Quincy (Red) – $1,900, YoY +7.04%
- Mattapan (Red) – $1,925, +1.99%
- Wollaston (Red) – $19,25, +4.90%
- Oak Grove (Orange) – $1,997.50, -0.12%
- Quincy Adams (Red) – $2,000, +1.91%
What Does This Mean for Boston Renters?
Prospective renters in the Boston area should consider how they can adjust their budget and expectations to live in their desired area. For example, renters along the Green Line can consider adding one stop to their commute to save $100 on their monthly rent by signing a lease closer to Copley ($3,400) than Arlington ($3,500). With limited inventory citywide, Bostonians should be swift in their decision-making process to ensure they still find a rental that checks most of the boxes on their list.
RentHop Can Help in Your Apartment Search
Finding an apartment in any city can be daunting, and deciding where to live and starting your search can be the most difficult step. RentHop is here to point you in the right direction by providing market insights and updates on rental trends. This map is just one of the countless data-backed insights we offer. All of our Boston rentals are ranked using available data to ensure you always see the highest quality apartments.
