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Rental Market Trends in Boston, MA

What is the average rent in Boston, MA?

$3,580/month

Average Rent

697 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+1.7%

Increase in the Last Year

As of May 2026, the average rent in Boston, MA is $3,580 per month. This is 118% higher than the national average rent price of $1,643/month, making Boston one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Boston, you can expect to pay about $2,946 per month for a studio, $3,580 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $4,454 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $5,903 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,946/month
477 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$3,580/month
697 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$4,454/month
970 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,903/month
1,211 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,659/month
396 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,272/month
510 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,407/month
1,059 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$6,922/month
2,015 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,966/month
1,584 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,638/month
2,311 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,351/month
2,975 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,769/month
2,720 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,819/month
904 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,517/month
1,182 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,514/month
1,860 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$5,748/month
2,725 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Boston, MA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 1.7%, which averages out to $61 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated May 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in Boston, MA
Last Updated May 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

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Boston?

Based on current rent prices, Eagle Hill, Washington Park and Sav-Mor are the most affordable neighborhoods in Boston.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Eagle Hill
$2,087/month
839 Sq Ft
Washington Park
$2,164/month
1,467 Sq Ft
Sav-Mor
$2,225/month
2,768 Sq Ft
Metropolitan Hill-Beech St
$2,377/month
1,444 Sq Ft
Stony Brook-Cleary Square
$2,383/month
1,477 Sq Ft
St Marks
$2,384/month
2,508 Sq Ft
Lower Roxbury
$2,400/month
2,538 Sq Ft
Francis St-Fenwood Rd District
$2,477/month
2,518 Sq Ft
Dudley-Brunswick King
$2,530/month
4,565 Sq Ft
Ashmont
$2,539/month
1,397 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston?

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

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bay Village
$4,655/month
2,206 Sq Ft
Seaport
$4,624/month
754 Sq Ft
Fort Point
$4,307/month
655 Sq Ft
North Station
$4,163/month
1,019 Sq Ft
Chinatown
$4,063/month
1,142 Sq Ft
Boston Common
$4,022/month
787 Sq Ft
Leather District
$3,915/month
1,310 Sq Ft
Financial District
$3,889/month
1,176 Sq Ft
Audubon Circle
$3,871/month
1,910 Sq Ft
West End Boston
$3,823/month
1,291 Sq Ft

Which Boston neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

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

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
West End Boston
$3,823/month
1,291 Sq Ft
Fenway
$3,420/month
1,537 Sq Ft
Downtown Boston
$3,763/month
1,524 Sq Ft
Commonwealth
$2,766/month
2,019 Sq Ft
St Elizabeth's
$2,737/month
2,121 Sq Ft
Back Bay
$3,633/month
2,177 Sq Ft
South End Boston
$3,699/month
1,591 Sq Ft
Chinatown
$4,063/month
1,142 Sq Ft
Financial District
$3,889/month
1,176 Sq Ft
North Allston
$3,786/month
672 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 $3,580, you’ll want to make about $11,933 per month or $143,196 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 48.4% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Boston is 121.2% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $2,946 - $5,903. You can expect to pay 2.9% more for groceries, 54.0% more for utilities, and 4.8% more for transportation.

City

Boston, MA

27,539 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.

Explore the Area Guide for Boston, MA

Apartment Averages

Eagle Hill

Boston, MA

Bay Village

Boston, MA

Studio
$2,333/month
$3,968/month
One Bedroom
$1,911/month
$4,798/month
Two Bedroom
$3,286/month
$7,788/month
Three Bedroom
-
$9,696/month
Search
Search

Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Dorchester Average Rent
  • South Boston Average Rent
  • Roxbury Average Rent
  • Roxbury Crossing Average Rent
  • North Quincy Average Rent
  • Mattapan Average Rent
  • Jamaica Plain Average Rent

Apartment communities in Boston we think you'll love

Imprint

Imprint

780 William T Morrissey Blvd,
Boston, MA 02122

$2,274 - $3,324 Plus Fees

Studio - 2 Beds

Harbor Point

Harbor Point

24 Oyster Bay Rd,
Boston, MA 02125

$2,679 - $4,442 Total Monthly Price

1-3 Beds

Forte at 1440 Beacon

Forte at 1440 Beacon

1440 Beacon St,
Brookline, MA 02446

$2,890 - $3,818 Plus Fees

Studio - 1 Bed | 12 Month Lease

The Franklin at Hancock Village

The Franklin at Hancock Village

201 Sherman Rd,
Brookline, MA 02467

$3,195 - $6,585 Plus Fees

1-3 Beds | 12 Month Lease

Property Management Companies in Boston, MA

Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,526

    Communities

  • 969,575

    Units

  • 896

    Cities

27 Communities in Boston
Equity Residential
Equity Residential
  • 156

    Communities

  • 51,960

    Units

  • 73

    Cities

13 Communities in Boston
Bozzuto
Bozzuto
  • 384

    Communities

  • 118,545

    Units

  • 156

    Cities

12 Communities in Boston
The Wingate Companies
The Wingate Companies
  • 47

    Communities

  • 8,023

    Units

  • 34

    Cities

12 Communities in Boston
The Hamilton Company
The Hamilton Company
  • 22

    Communities

  • 3,252

    Units

  • 12

    Cities

12 Communities in Boston
Winn Companies
Winn Companies
  • 155

    Communities

  • 26,690

    Units

  • 113

    Cities

11 Communities in Boston
John M Corcoran & Co
John M Corcoran & Co
  • 55

    Communities

  • 10,972

    Units

  • 40

    Cities

11 Communities in Boston
The Copley Group
The Copley Group
  • 12

    Communities

  • 585

    Units

  • 3

    Cities

11 Communities in Boston

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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 February 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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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity