Last updated on November 8, 2026

Average rent in
Boston, MA

Key takeaways for renters

  • Where Boston rent stands today

    Boston, MA rent rose 5.3% year over year, with a current median of $3,416/month. Renters today are paying $173 more per month on average than last year, with rents just 1.4% below the peak seen in August 2026.

  • Vs. national rents

    Boston rents run roughly 1.8× the $1,900/month national median. This positions Boston, MA as a higher-cost market relative to the national median for renters.

  • Rent ranges by bedroom

    Studios in Boston run around $2,495/month, 1-bedrooms around $2,900/month, 2-bedrooms around $3,470/month, 3-bedrooms around $3,700/month, and 4+ bedrooms reach $5,262/month. These figures reflect the range across bedroom sizes in the city.

Median rent

Median rent in Boston

$3,415/mo

increased by5%

vs previous year

The average rent in Boston is $3,415 per month as of November 2026. This is 80% above the national average rent, or $1,515 more per month.

$3.75

average price per square foot

Total rentals

Available rentals in Boston

5,687

for rent on Zumper.com as of November 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 increased by 1% over the last month and have increased by 5% 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 $3,420, whereas a house costs $3,797. 1-bedroom apartments in Boston run $3,041 on average, while 2-bedroom apartments are $3,500.

Listings

Studio

$2,495

No Change

2%

1 bedroom

$2,900

2%

No Change

2 bedroom

$3,470

1%

2%

3 bedroom

$3,700

No Change

3%

4 bedroom

$5,262

4%

17%

Studio

Average rent

$2,495

Last year

2%

1 bedroom

Average rent

$2,900

Last 30 days

2%

2 bedroom

Average rent

$3,470

Last 30 days

1%

Last year

2%

3 bedroom

Average rent

$3,700

Last year

3%

4 bedroom

Average rent

$5,262

Last 30 days

4%

Last year

17%

Commonwealth

Average rent

$2,830

Fenway Kenmore Audubon Circle Longwood

Average rent

$3,414

Mission Hill

Average rent

$4,200

St Elizabeth's

Average rent

$3,200

Downtown Boston

Average rent

$4,110

Oak Square

Average rent

$3,200

Back Bay

Average rent

$3,775

D Street West Broadway

Average rent

$4,007

South End

Average rent

$3,800

Columbia Point

Average rent

$3,083

Apartments

Average rent

$3,420

Last 30 days

No Change

Last year

4%

Condos

Average rent

$3,450

Last 30 days

1%

Last year

2%

Houses

Average rent

$3,797

Last 30 days

4%

Last year

6%

Rooms

Average rent

$1,280

Last 30 days

8%

Last year

15%

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$3,415
increased by80%

higher than the national median

Median rent price$2,125
increased by12%

higher than the national median

Takeaway

The median rent for all rentals in Boston, MA is 61% 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
Groceries5% higher
Health33% higher
Housing123% higher
Transportation6% higher
Utilities52% higher

Discover rentals in Boston, MA

24 Maryland - Photo 1 of 1

2d ago

7.7

Very good

24 Maryland

24 Maryland St, Boston, MA 02125

3–4 beds

1 bath

$400–$3,400

Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.
23 Symphony Rd - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood apartment for rent in Boston

Studio

0 baths

$500

Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.
12 Stoneholm St - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood apartment for rent in Boston

Studio

0 baths

$500

Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.
12 Stoneholm St - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood apartment for rent in Boston

Studio

0 baths

$500

Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.
115 Salem St #10 - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

North End apartment for rent in Boston

2 beds

1 bath

$99,999

Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.
1574 Tremont St #3 - Photo 1 of 1

3d ago

Mission Hill house for rent in Boston

3 beds

1.5 baths

$45,000

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.
2 Avery St #PH3C - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Chinatown - Leather District apartment for rent in Boston

3 beds

3.5 baths

$45,000

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.
Avalon Brighton - Photo 1 of 1
Highly rated
Rent special

3d ago

8.4

Very good

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Avalon Brighton

139 Washington St, Boston, MA 02135

Studio–3 beds

1–3 baths

$2,835–$5,720

Total Monthly Price. The price shown includes base rent and all known required monthly fees, based on information provided by the property.

Call

Stony Brook Commons - Photo 1 of 1
3D tour

2d ago

9.9

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Stony Brook Commons

390 Blue Ledge Dr, Boston, MA 02131

Studio–3 beds

1 bath

$1,972–$5,965

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.
Harborview at the Navy Yard - Photo 1 of 1
Resident insights
Highly rated

6h ago

9.6

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Harborview at the Navy Yard

250 1st Ave, Boston, MA 02129

Studio–2 beds

1–2 baths

$3,207–$7,259

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Parkway Apartments - Photo 1 of 1
Highly rated
Rent special

13h ago

9.6

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Parkway Apartments

1555 Vfw Pkwy, Boston, MA 02132

Studio–2 beds

1–2 baths

$2,448–$5,199

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Ora Seaport - Photo 1 of 1
Highly rated
3D tour

1d ago

9.9

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Ora Seaport

899 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Studio–3 beds

1–2 baths

$3,170–$10,651

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Stony Brook Commons - Photo 1 of 1
3D tour

2d ago

9.9

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Stony Brook Commons

390 Blue Ledge Dr, Boston, MA 02131

Studio–3 beds

1 bath

$1,972–$5,965

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.
Ora Seaport - Photo 1 of 1
Highly rated
3D tour

1d ago

9.9

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Ora Seaport

899 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Studio–3 beds

1–2 baths

$3,170–$10,651

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Rockingham Glen - Photo 1 of 1

50m ago

9.9

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Rockingham Glen

30 Rockingham Ave, Boston, MA 02132

1–2 beds

1 bath

$2,240–$3,290

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Baker Chocolate Factory - Photo 1 of 1
Rent special

14h ago

9.9

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Baker Chocolate Factory

1220 Adams St, Boston, MA 02124

1–2 beds

1 bath

$1,779–$3,735

Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.

Call

Atrio Boston - Photo 1 of 1
3D tour

3h ago

9.6

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Atrio Boston

18 Haviland St, Boston, MA 02115

1–2 beds

1 bath

$3,146–$5,746

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.
Harborview at the Navy Yard - Photo 1 of 1
Resident insights
Highly rated

6h ago

9.6

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Harborview at the Navy Yard

250 1st Ave, Boston, MA 02129

Studio–2 beds

1–2 baths

$3,207–$7,259

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Parkway Apartments - Photo 1 of 1
Highly rated
Rent special

13h ago

9.6

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Parkway Apartments

1555 Vfw Pkwy, Boston, MA 02132

Studio–2 beds

1–2 baths

$2,448–$5,199

Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.

Call

Blueground Boston - Photo 1 of 1
3D tour

2d ago

9.6

Excellent

Our team has verified this company

Verified

Blueground Boston

1 India St, Boston, MA 02109

Studio–3 beds

1–3 baths

$2,300–$16,079

Total Monthly Price. The price shown includes base rent and all known required monthly fees, based on information provided by the property.

Call

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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 $3,415 per month as of November 7, 2026.

Is rent up or down in Boston?

Average rent prices in Boston have increased by 1% over the last month and have increased by 5% since last year.

How does Boston rent compare to the national average?

Rent in Boston is 80% above the national average, which means renters are paying approximately $1,515 more per month.

Which neighborhoods are most affordable in Boston?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Boston are Commonwealth ($2,830/mo), Columbia Point ($3,083/mo), and St Elizabeth's ($3,200/mo).

What salary do I need to afford rent in Boston?

To comfortably afford rent in Boston, you'd need to earn approximately $137,000/year, based on spending no more than 30% of your income on rent.

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

May offers the best rental deals in Boston with the lowest rents of the year, while August sees peak pricing with roughly a 3.6% difference between the seasons. December is the least competitive month for apartment hunting.

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.