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Rental Market Trends in Boston, MA

Updated September 2026

The average rent in Boston, MA is $3,591/month.

Rent in Boston is 116% higher than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$3,591/month

Average Rent

694 Sq Ft

Average Size

+3.3%

Change / Year

17,991

Available Apartments

Boston rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Boston average $2,955 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Boston average $3,591 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Boston average $4,564 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Boston average $5,788 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,955/month
476 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$3,591/month
694 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$4,564/month
974 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,788/month
1,196 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,479/month
229 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,317/month
586 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,267/month
977 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$6,310/month
1,735 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,882/month
1,321 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,660/month
1,549 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,266/month
2,346 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,768/month
1,859 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,973/month
1,100 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,387/month
1,115 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,246/month
2,175 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$5,513/month
2,731 Sq Ft
View Boston Apartments

How much has average rent changed in Boston, MA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 3.3%, which averages out to $118 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

September 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Boston, MA

September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Boston, MA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
0% $700 - $1,000/month
4% $1,001 - $1,500/month
6% $1,501 - $2,000/month
90% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Boston?

Based on current rent prices, Washington Park, Francis St-Fenwood Rd District and West Street-River Street are the most affordable neighborhoods in Boston.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Washington Park
$1,973/month
1,685 Sq Ft
Francis St-Fenwood Rd District
$2,130/month
6,227 Sq Ft
West Street-River Street
$2,236/month
724 Sq Ft
Sav-Mor
$2,296/month
3,957 Sq Ft
Southern Mattapan
$2,314/month
810 Sq Ft
Lower Roxbury
$2,362/month
3,418 Sq Ft
Mattapan
$2,394/month
1,088 Sq Ft
Mattapan
$2,394/month
1,088 Sq Ft
Ashmont
$2,511/month
1,578 Sq Ft
Eagle Hill
$2,518/month
1,308 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston?

Based on current rent prices, Seaport, Bay Village and Fort Point are the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Seaport
$4,270/month
714 Sq Ft
Bay Village
$4,066/month
1,591 Sq Ft
Fort Point
$4,060/month
680 Sq Ft
North Station
$4,043/month
1,215 Sq Ft
South End Boston
$3,909/month
1,242 Sq Ft
Financial District
$3,851/month
1,131 Sq Ft
Leather District
$3,841/month
1,042 Sq Ft
North Allston
$3,817/month
692 Sq Ft
Boston Common
$3,807/month
878 Sq Ft
Back Bay
$3,804/month
1,756 Sq Ft

Which Boston neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Boston with the most apartments available are Roxbury, Roxbury and West End Boston .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Roxbury
$3,536/month
1,328 Sq Ft
Roxbury
$3,538/month
1,334 Sq Ft
West End Boston
$3,723/month
1,538 Sq Ft
Brighton
$2,857/month
1,675 Sq Ft
Downtown Boston
$3,644/month
1,653 Sq Ft
Brighton
$2,861/month
1,676 Sq Ft
Fenway
$3,516/month
1,820 Sq Ft
Back Bay
$3,804/month
1,756 Sq Ft
Commonwealth
$2,603/month
1,872 Sq Ft
South End Boston
$3,909/month
1,242 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Boston, MA?

Because the average rent in Boston is $3,591, you’ll want to make about $11,970 per month or $143,640 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Boston, MA is 48.3% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Boston is 120.6% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $2,955 - $5,788. You can expect to pay 3.9% more for groceries, 51.3% more for utilities, and 5.4% more for transportation.

City

Boston, MA

17,991 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Boston, MA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Boston, MA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

View the Boston Area Guide

Apartment Averages

Washington Park

Boston, MA

Seaport

Boston, MA

Studio
$2,100/month
$3,449/month
One Bedroom
$1,675/month
$4,447/month
Two Bedroom
$2,342/month
$6,722/month
Three Bedroom
$3,929/month
$11,920/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Dorchester

    Dorchester

    Avg Rent: $2,369/month

  • Roxbury Crossing

    Roxbury Crossing

    Avg Rent: $3,222/month

  • North Quincy

    North Quincy

    Avg Rent: $2,886/month

  • Mattapan

    Mattapan

    Avg Rent: $2,111/month

  • Jamaica Plain

    Jamaica Plain

    Avg Rent: $3,070/month

  • Roslindale

    Roslindale

    Avg Rent: $2,438/month

  • Quincy

    Quincy

    Avg Rent: $2,552/month

  • Brookline

    Brookline

    Avg Rent: $2,869/month

Apartment Communities in Boston We Think You'll Love

The Longwood

The Longwood

1575 Tremont St,
Boston, MA 02120

1-3 Beds | $2,893 - $6,381

Harbor Point

Harbor Point

24 Oyster Bay Rd,
Boston, MA 02125

1-3 Beds | $2,163 - $4,558

Forte at 1440 Beacon

Forte at 1440 Beacon

1440 Beacon St,
Brookline, MA 02446

Studio - 1 Bed | $2,835 - $3,818

The Franklin at Hancock Village

The Franklin at Hancock Village

201 Sherman Rd,
Brookline, MA 02467

1-3 Beds | $2,950 - $8,155

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Boston?

The average rent in Boston is $3,591 per month, which is 115.7% higher than the national average of $1,665.

What is the average rent for a house in Boston?

The average rent for a house in Boston, MA is $4,267 per month.

What is the average rent for a townhome in Boston?

The average rent for a townhome in Boston, MA is $3,387 per month.

What is the average rent for a condo in Boston?

The average rent for a condo in Boston, MA is $2,882 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Boston?

Rents in Boston, MA are increasing, with prices up 3.3% year-over-year and $118 more per month.

What rent range is most common in Boston?

In Boston, MA, 90% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

United States Massachusetts Boston Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity