Boston Rent by ZIP Code 2026: What Each Area Actually Costs

Most Boston rent data is reported by neighborhood, but renters and relocating professionals often search by ZIP code, especially when an employer, school, relocation package, or apartment search filter references one. A new arrival is frequently told only that a job is in 02139 or that an apartment listing sits in 02130, with no sense of what neighborhood that covers or what it costs to live there. This guide maps Greater Boston’s most searched residential ZIP codes to the neighborhoods they cover and to current rent levels, so you can move quickly from a ZIP code to a realistic budget. All figures are Q2 2026 estimates and reflect median one bedroom rents unless otherwise noted.

Why Boston ZIP Codes and Neighborhoods Do Not Line Up

The first thing to understand about Boston ZIP codes is that they were designed for mail delivery, not for describing housing markets, and the two rarely align cleanly. A single neighborhood can span several ZIP codes, and a single ZIP code can cross neighborhood lines or even municipal boundaries. Cambridge and Somerville, for example, are separate cities with their own ZIP codes that sit immediately adjacent to Boston proper, yet renters routinely treat them as part of the same housing search. Within Boston itself, large neighborhoods like Dorchester contain multiple ZIP codes, while smaller areas like Beacon Hill may share a ZIP code with an adjoining district like the West End.

This mismatch creates real confusion for anyone relocating from outside the region. Someone told their new office is in 02139 may have no idea that ZIP code covers the Central Square and MIT corridor of Cambridge, or what rent levels look like in that part of the metro. Someone scanning listings in 02130 may not realize they are looking at Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood with a distinct character, transit profile, and price point compared to neighboring ZIP codes. Translating a ZIP code into a usable rent expectation requires a guide rather than a simple lookup, and that is exactly what this resource provides.

For a broader view of how these neighborhoods compare across multiple metrics, the Boston Neighborhood Finder is one of the most useful starting points available, letting you filter by price range, transit access, walkability, and lifestyle priorities before you even begin scheduling tours.

Why Renters and Relocating Workers Search by ZIP Code

Relocation packages, employer commute calculators, school district lookups, insurance quotes, and apartment search filters all frequently use ZIP codes rather than neighborhood names. A professional relocating to a Kendall Square job may be told only that the office is in 02139. A graduate student assigned housing in 02215 may not know that means Fenway, not Allston, and that the price difference between the two can be several hundred dollars per month. Healthcare workers accepting positions at Longwood Medical Area campuses are often given a campus ZIP code and left to figure out the surrounding geography on their own.

Beyond relocation, ZIP codes show up in everyday rental searches. Many major listing platforms allow users to filter by ZIP code, and properties are often tagged with ZIP codes in search metadata even when neighborhood labels are used in the listing headline. Understanding which ZIP code corresponds to which neighborhood, and what that neighborhood actually costs, is a practical skill for anyone navigating the Boston market.

Before committing to a lease, it is also worth checking your credit standing, since Boston landlords in competitive ZIP codes frequently run credit checks and set minimum score thresholds. SmartCredit gives you a clear picture of where you stand and flags any issues you may want to resolve before applications go out.

The Boston ZIP Code to Neighborhood Rent Map

The table below connects the residential ZIP codes renters search most often to their primary neighborhood and a representative median one bedroom rent. Treat each figure as a starting estimate for the area, not a fixed price for every unit within it. Actual rents vary based on unit type, building age, floor, amenities, and proximity to transit.

• 02116 Back Bay: Median one bedroom approximately $3,200. Served by the Green and Orange Lines. One of Boston’s most expensive ZIP codes, with brownstone apartments, luxury high rises, and proximity to Newbury Street retail. Expect higher prices for updated units with in unit laundry.
• 02118 South End: Median one bedroom approximately $2,900. Orange Line access. A dense, walkable neighborhood known for Victorian row houses, restaurant culture, and a mix of longtime residents and newer arrivals. Prices vary significantly by block and building type.
• 02127 South Boston: Median one bedroom approximately $2,700. Red Line access at Broadway and Andrew. Southie has transformed significantly over the past decade, with new construction along the waterfront pushing prices upward, while older triple deckers on interior streets remain more affordable.
• 02128 East Boston: Median one bedroom approximately $2,100. Blue Line access. East Boston remains one of the most affordable ZIP codes with direct rapid transit access to downtown, making it popular with younger renters and essential workers priced out of other areas.
• 02129 Charlestown: Median one bedroom approximately $2,700. Orange Line at Community College. A historic neighborhood with newer condo conversions and relatively limited inventory, keeping prices elevated despite being somewhat removed from core neighborhoods.
• 02130 Jamaica Plain: Median one bedroom approximately $2,400. Orange Line at Jackson Square and Stony Brook. JP offers a mix of affordable apartments and higher end units, a vibrant local commercial strip, and strong community character that draws long term renters.
• 02134 Allston: Median one bedroom approximately $2,200. Green Line B branch. Allston is the classic Boston student neighborhood, with dense apartment stock, high turnover in September, and prices that reflect competition from student renters and young professionals alike.
• 02135 Brighton: Median one bedroom approximately $2,300. Green Line B branch. Adjacent to Allston and sharing much of its demographic profile, Brighton tends to have slightly quieter streets and a higher proportion of longer term renters alongside students.
• 02139 Cambridge, Central Square and MIT area: Median one bedroom approximately $3,000. Red Line at Central and Kendall. The proximity to MIT, Harvard, and major biotech employers in Kendall Square drives strong demand and keeps prices high year round.
• 02140 Cambridge, Porter Square and North Cambridge: Median one bedroom approximately $3,000. Red Line at Porter. Slightly more residential in feel than Central Square, Porter attracts a mix of academics, young families, and professionals who prioritize walkability and the Minuteman Bikeway access.
• 02143 Somerville, Union Square and East Somerville: Median one bedroom approximately $2,600. Green Line Extension at Union Square. The opening of the GLX has accelerated interest in this ZIP code and pushed prices upward compared to five years ago.
• 02144 Somerville, Davis Square: Median one bedroom approximately $2,600. Red Line at Davis. Davis Square has long been one of the region’s most desirable mid price ZIP codes, offering walkable commercial streets, strong restaurant and bar culture, and reliable Red Line service.
• 02210 Seaport: Median one bedroom approximately $3,400. Silver Line. The Seaport is Boston’s most expensive ZIP code for renters, dominated by new luxury construction with amenity packages that include concierge services, roof decks, and coworking spaces built into the base of residential towers.
• 02215 Fenway and Kenmore: Median one bedroom approximately $2,600. Green Line at Kenmore and Fenway. This ZIP code covers both the Longwood Medical Area corridor and the residential streets around Fenway Park, serving a heavy concentration of healthcare workers, students, and medical professionals.
• 02124 Dorchester, Fields Corner: Median one bedroom approximately $1,900. Red Line at Fields Corner. One of Boston’s most affordable ZIP codes with rapid transit access, Fields Corner has a strong Vietnamese and immigrant community presence and represents genuine value in a tight market.
• 02125 Dorchester, Savin Hill: Median one bedroom approximately $1,900. Red Line at Savin Hill. Like Fields Corner, this ZIP code offers sub $2,000 medians with Red Line access, attracting renters who prioritize commute reliability over neighborhood amenity density.
• 02114 Beacon Hill and West End: Median one bedroom approximately $3,100. Red and Green Lines. Beacon Hill’s cobblestone streets and Federal architecture command a premium, while the West End section of this ZIP code offers slightly more affordable options in older high rise buildings.
• 02113 North End: Median one bedroom approximately $2,700. Green and Orange Lines nearby. Boston’s oldest neighborhood is dense, walkable, and short on inventory, which keeps prices high despite a building stock that skews older and smaller than newer neighborhoods.

Understanding What Drives Rent Differences Across ZIP Codes

The spread between a $1,900 median in Dorchester and a $3,400 median in the Seaport is not arbitrary. Several factors consistently drive price differences across Boston ZIP codes, and understanding them helps you evaluate whether a given ZIP code is priced fairly for what it offers.

Transit Access and Walk Time to Rapid Rail

Boston’s MBTA rapid transit network is the single biggest driver of rent premiums at the ZIP code level. Units within a short walk of a Red, Orange, Blue, or Green Line station command measurably higher rents than units of equivalent size and quality a half mile further from the platform. ZIP codes like 02210 and 02116 benefit from central location and multiple transit options. ZIP codes like 02128 and 02124 offer surprisingly affordable rents partly because their transit lines, the Blue Line and the southern Red Line branches, are perceived as less central or convenient by some renters, even when commute times are comparable.

Building Age and Unit Quality

Newer construction in ZIP codes like 02210 and 02127 pushes median rents upward even when a ZIP code contains a mix of old and new stock. Older three deckers in 02134 and 02135 keep medians lower than luxury towers in adjacent ZIP codes, even though the neighborhoods are geographically close.

Neighborhood Commercial Amenity Density

ZIP codes with dense walkable retail, restaurants, parks, and cultural venues tend to command higher rents because those amenities reduce transportation costs and increase quality of life. Back Bay at 02116 and Davis Square at 02144 both benefit from this effect, which is why their rents are elevated relative to comparable ZIP codes with fewer ground floor commercial amenities.

Budgeting Accurately for Your Target ZIP Code

Knowing the median one bedroom rent for a ZIP code is only the beginning of building an accurate housing budget. Boston landlords typically require first month, last month, and a security deposit upfront, meaning a $2,600 per month apartment in 02144 could require $7,800 or more in move in costs before you factor in application fees, movers, or any utility deposits.

The general affordability rule used by most Boston landlords is that your gross monthly income should equal at least 40 times the monthly rent. So a $2,700 apartment requires demonstrating roughly $108,000 in annual income or providing a qualified guarantor. Use the Boston Rent Affordability Calculator to model different ZIP codes against your income before you begin touring, so you do not waste time on apartments outside your qualifying range.

If you are reviewing a lease before signing, make sure the document is legally sound and covers all the terms you negotiated verbally. A LawDepot Lease Agreement template gives you a clear framework for what a complete residential lease should include, which is useful both for tenants reviewing landlord provided documents and for small landlords writing their own agreements.

If You Are Considering Buying Instead of Renting in These ZIP Codes

For anyone on the fence between renting and buying, the same ZIP code data is relevant on the purchase side. Condos in 02116 and 02114 regularly list above $800,000, while entry level condos in 02124 and 02128 can still be found in the $400,000 range. The gap between monthly rent and a comparable mortgage payment narrows considerably in more affordable ZIP codes, making purchase worth modeling even for first time buyers.

Anyone exploring ownership in Greater Boston should Compare Mortgage Rates early in the process, since even a quarter point difference in rate has a meaningful impact on monthly payment across Boston price points. A buyer financing a $550,000 purchase at current rates will want to shop multiple lenders rather than defaulting to the first quote received.

Building or repairing your credit before applying for a mortgage is equally important. If your score needs improvement, Tradeline Supply offers authorized user tradelines that can strengthen your credit profile ahead of a major application, whether for an apartment lease or a mortgage pre approval.

And once you own in any of these ZIP codes, protecting your investment is worth thinking through. Choice Home Warranty provides coverage for major systems and appliances that can offset the unexpected repair costs that come with homeownership in older Boston housing stock.

How to Use ZIP Code Rent Data in Your Search

The most effective way to use this data is as a filtering mechanism before you begin actively searching listings. Start by identifying the ZIP codes that are geographically relevant to your workplace or school, then layer in budget constraints to eliminate ZIP codes where the median is already above your qualifying range. From that shortlist, use the Boston Neighborhood Finder to research the character of each remaining neighborhood more deeply, looking at walkability scores, commute options, noise levels, and neighborhood demographics before committing to tours.

Once you have narrowed to two or three ZIP codes, use median rent as a benchmark to evaluate individual listings. A unit priced 20 percent above the ZIP code median deserves scrutiny, either there are genuine premium features that justify the price, or the landlord is testing the market. A unit priced 15 percent below median in a desirable ZIP code may have maintenance issues, noise problems, or other factors worth investigating during the walkthrough.

Seasonal Timing Matters in Boston ZIP Codes

Boston’s rental market has a pronounced seasonal cycle driven by university calendars. ZIP codes with high student populations, including 02134, 02215, and 02139, experience their most competitive conditions from April through August, when the bulk of September 1 leases are signed. Renters who can target off season start dates in October through February often find more negotiating room and less competition, even in the same ZIP codes. Prices themselves do not drop dramatically, but landlords are more willing to negotiate on smaller concessions like parking, storage, or lease term flexibility.

Key Takeaways for Boston Renters Searching by ZIP Code

• ZIP codes and Boston neighborhoods do not align perfectly. Always confirm which neighborhood a ZIP code primarily covers before budgeting.
• The Seaport at 02210 is currently the most expensive residential ZIP code in Greater Boston, while Dorchester ZIP codes 02124 and 02125 offer the lowest medians with rapid transit access.
• Cambridge ZIP codes 02139 and 02140 reflect demand from university and biotech employers, keeping prices near $3,000 even outside the core Boston neighborhoods.
• Transit access is the single most reliable predictor of rent levels within Boston’s residential ZIP code map.
• Move in cost requirements in Boston regularly reach three times the monthly rent. Build that into

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  Related Boston Housing Resources

  • Boston Neighborhood Guide 2026
  • Boston Renter Intelligence Report Q2 2026
  • Boston Neighborhood Finder
  • Boston Housing Data Hub