Last updated on July 25, 2026

Average rent in
Boston, MA

Key takeaways for renters

  • Where Boston rent stands today

    Boston, MA rent rose 1.5% year over year, with a current median of $3,350/month. Renters today are paying $138 more per month on average than last year despite a 1.1% month-over-month decline in July 2026.

  • Vs. national rents

    Boston rent is 72.2% more expensive than the $1,945/month national median, placing it among the priciest major metros for renters. The city offers 8,647 total rentals, mainly apartments which make up 79.8% of inventory.

  • Rent ranges by bedroom

    Studio rents in Boston are $2,395/month, 1-bedrooms $2,800/month, 2-bedrooms $3,400/month, 3-bedrooms $3,800/month, and 4+ bedrooms $4,895/month. This range covers the full spectrum of bedroom sizes available to renters.

Median rent

Median rent in Boston

$3,350/mo

increased by2%

vs previous year

The average rent in Boston is $3,350 per month as of July 2026. This is 72% above the national average rent, or $1,405 more per month.

$3.62

average price per square foot

Total rentals

Available rentals in Boston

8,647

for rent on Zumper.com as of July 2026

Rent price distribution

Share of Boston rentals at each price point

40%30%20%10%0%
$0 - $1,500
$1,501 - $3,000
$3,001 - $4,500
$4,501 - $6,000
$6,001 - $50,000

Rent trends in Boston, MA

Average rent prices in Boston have decreased by 1% over the last month and have increased by 2% since last year.

Rent trends

Rent prices on this page are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis and updated daily.

Compare rent prices in Boston, MA

Rent prices in Boston vary by bedroom size, rental type, and neighborhood. The average rent for an apartment in Boston is $3,300, whereas a house costs $3,900. 1-bedroom apartments in Boston run $2,850 on average, while 2-bedroom apartments are $3,450.

Listings

Studio

$2,395

No Change

1%

1 bedroom

$2,800

1%

4%

2 bedroom

$3,400

No Change

2%

3 bedroom

$3,800

No Change

5%

4 bedroom

$4,895

No Change

8%

Studio

Average rent

$2,395

Last 30 days

No Change

Last year

1%

1 bedroom

Average rent

$2,800

Last 30 days

1%

Last year

4%

2 bedroom

Average rent

$3,400

Last 30 days

No Change

Last year

2%

3 bedroom

Average rent

$3,800

Last 30 days

No Change

Last year

5%

4 bedroom

Average rent

$4,895

Last 30 days

No Change

Last year

8%

The table above reflects average rent prices in Boston, MA, broken down by the number of bedrooms, neighborhoods, and property types. The availability of data for each category is dependent on market inventory and will adjust depending on your selected filters.

How does rent in Boston, MA compare to other cities?

Compare median rent prices in Boston and Brockton by all bedroom counts and property types.

Boston

Median rent price$3,350
increased by72%

higher than the national median

Median rent price$2,123
increased by9%

higher than the national median

Takeaway

The median rent for all rentals in Boston, MA is 58% higher than the median rent in Brockton, MA.

Cost of living in Boston, MA

Explore the cost of essential expenses, and then use our rent calculator to find out how much rent you can afford.

Expenses
accrued by most renters
Average cost
compared to national average
Goods & Services17% higher
Groceries4% higher
Health33% higher
Housing121% higher
Transportation5% higher
Utilities51% higher

Discover rentals in Boston, MA

7-9-9R Winship Parking Brighton MA 02135 - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

6.4

Good

7-9-9R Winship Parking Brighton MA 02135

7-9-9R Winship, Boston, MA 02135

Studio

-1 baths

$200

The price shown reflects a 12-month lease and includes base rent plus all required monthly fees provided by the property.

Apartment for rent

Description

Parking space available now at Brighton, Massachusetts for $110.00/month. First and last month's rent required. Call us now! 617-487-4868 OR Please fill out a small questionnaire if you are interested and our team will reach back to you soon. https docs google com forms dsd e 1FAIpQLSeET5GublurFZc9ej354mvOLhcEe1LlxokqwT-3QHrreHgung viewform a minute walk to A SPA and a Convienent store 2 minute walk to a bistro and a restaurant 3 minute walk to porte bellys pub 3 to 4 minutes walk to a Thai Spa 4 to 6 minute walk to an ATM Parking Space at Winship St, Close to Elizabeth Me

191 Green St #103 - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Jamaica Central - South Sumner condo for rent in Boston

Studio

2 baths

$800

The price shown reflects a 12-month lease. Fees may apply.

Condo for rent

Available Apr 13

Description

Private Room with Private Bathroom – All Utilities Included – Jamaica Plain 🏡✨ The unit features a private kitchenette and access to a shared bathrooms with other residents. Conveniently located within walking distance to the Green Street station on the MBTA Orange Line, providing easy access to public transportation throughout Boston. The unit offers a small kitchenette, making it practical for everyday living. This is a dormitory-style setup, ideal for individuals seeking a budget-friendly option in a well-connected area. The property also includes shared laundry faci

88 Bernard St #ROOM - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Franklin Field North apartment for rent in Boston

88 Bernard St. (ROOM) Boston, MA 02124 (Dorchester)

88 Bernard St #ROOM, Boston, MA 02124

1 bed

1 bath

$800

The price shown reflects a 12-month lease and includes base rent plus all required monthly fees provided by the property.

Apartment for rent

Available Aug 1

Description

**ROOMMATE SITUATION** Are you ready to save money while renting? This home includes high-speed Wi-Fi and all utilities. You only have to pay for your rent. It is a 9-bedroom house with 2.5 bathrooms on 4 floors. You will be living among 8 others. Let us know if you are interested. This will not last! NO PETS, SORRY! Room Prices: Room 1: $1100 Room 2: $1000 Room 3: $800 Room 4: $1100 Room 5: $1100 Room 6: $800 Room 8: $1100 Room 9: $1150 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ALLOWED! $200 MORE FOR EXTRA PERSON DON'T APPLY THROUGH AVAIL. CALL/TEXT US AT 617-765-4219. Listing is provided by Inte

424 Bowdoin Street - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

9

Excellent

424 Bowdoin Street

Bowdoin Park, Boston, MA 02122

1 bed

1–2 baths

$875

The price shown reflects a 12-month lease and includes base rent plus all required monthly fees provided by the property.

Apartment for rent

Description

Available on 9/1. Bedroom is for single occupancy only! No Couples! All male apt. This a brand new renovated, 4 Bed, 2 Bath unit, located in the popular Savin Hill neighborhood. This stunning unit is located on the top level of a triple decker. The entire unit has been completed rehabbed with all new flooring, bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, and washer/dryer in unit. The bedroom can accommodate a queen sized mattress and has its own private built-in closet. The property is located at a walking distance from Savin Hill T station (10 min walk), wh

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Frequently asked questions for Boston, MA

Quick answers to common questions about the Boston rental market.

How much is rent in Boston?

The average rent in Boston is $3,350 per month as of July 18, 2026.

Is rent up or down in Boston?

Average rent prices in Boston have decreased by 1% over the last month and have increased by 2% since last year.

How does Boston rent compare to the national average?

Rent in Boston is 72% above the national average, which means renters are paying approximately $1,405 more per month.

Which neighborhoods are most affordable in Boston?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Boston are St Elizabeth's ($2,850/mo), Commonwealth ($3,000/mo), and Fenway Kenmore Audubon Circle Longwood ($3,100/mo).

What salary do I need to afford rent in Boston?

To comfortably afford rent in Boston, you'd need to earn approximately $134,000/year, based on spending no more than 30% of your income on rent.

When is the best time of year to rent in Boston?

Based on Zumper's July 2026 data, one-bedroom apartments in Boston average around $2,910/month and two-bedrooms approximately $3,470/month.

Methodology

Rent prices are based on Zumper's rental listings from the past 30 days. Median rent is calculated across all available listings and property types on the platform. If you filter the page by bedroom count or property type, the pricing throughout the page will update automatically to reflect that segment of the rental market.

Household and population data come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cost-of-living data is sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index (COLI).

For additional insights into rental trends, including month-over-month changes and historical comparisons, see Zumper's Monthly Metro Report.

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