Average Rent in Boston & Rent Price Trends

Thinking about moving to Boston? Before you start your Boston apartment hunt, get to know the city's rental market. Get your apartment budget started by discovering the average rent in Boston and its neighborhoods.

Average Rent in Boston

• The average rent for a Boston studio apartment is $2,637.
• The average rent for a Boston 1-bedroom apartment is $3,193.
• The average rent for a Boston 2-bedroom apartment is $3,702.
• The average rent for a Boston 3-bedroom apartment is $3,850.

Note: The data provided reflects our available units on Apartment List. For data that reflects the entire market, we recommend you visit our Rent Report, which is created based on our holistic methodology. You can also download the raw data containing rent estimates for hundreds of cities across the country.

Boston Rent Trends: Rent Growth

Boston rents have increased by 4.44% compared to last month, and are up by 1.75% compared to last year.

Boston Rent Trends: Inventory by Average Apartment Rent

• 0.1% of apartments in Boston cost less than $1,000 per month.
• 12% of apartments in Boston cost between $1,000-$1,999 per month.
• 37% of apartments in Boston cost between $2,000-$2,999 per month.
• 51% of apartments in Boston cost over $3,000 per month.

Boston Rent Trends: Inventory by Apartment Type

• 17% of apartments in Boston are studio apartments.
• 38% of apartments in Boston are 1-bedroom apartments.
• 29% of apartments in Boston are 2-bedroom apartments.
• 16% of apartments in Boston are 3-bedroom apartments.

Average Rent in Boston Neighborhoods

Have your ideal Boston neighborhood already picked out? Rent prices across neighborhoods can vary, so get familiar with the average rent prices across the various neighborhoods in Boston.

• The most expensive neighborhoods in Boston are Fenway - Kenmore - Audubon Circle - Longwood ($3,865), D Street - West Broadway ($3,777), and Downtown Boston ($3,726).
• The most affordable neighborhoods in Boston are St. Elizabeth's ($2,584), Allston ($2,553), and Commonwealth ($1,820).

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Boston?

Using the 30% rule, we can give a rough estimate of the salary needed to rent an apartment in Boston. If these numbers look high, remember that a roommate or two can drastically cut down your monthly rent!

• If you are renting an average priced studio apartment in Boston, your annual salary should be around $105,480 or higher.
• If you are renting an average priced 1-bedroom apartment in Boston, your annual salary should be around $127,720 or higher.
• If you are renting an average priced 2-bedroom apartment in Boston, your annual salary should be around $148,080 or higher.
• If you are renting an average priced 3-bedroom apartment in Boston, your annual salary should be around $154,000 or higher.

Remember, these are recommendations for just one person. Renting an apartment with a roommate or two will cut these costs down. If renting in Boston still seems unfeasible, consider other Massachusetts cities.

Not sure how much rent you can afford? Try using our rent calculator.

Ready to make the move to Boston? Start apartment hunting in Boston with our quiz!