Methodology Status · September 2026

Current B-RAI, B-RSI, and B-NDI scores published on Homzora are baseline estimates derived from public data sources — U.S. Census ACS, Zillow Research, Massachusetts Association of Realtors, and MBTA ridership data. They are not yet derived from completed survey research.

Our proprietary Boston Renter Survey is actively collecting responses now. The first fully survey-derived index release is scheduled for October 7, 2026 (Q3 2026 report). Until then, all index scores should be read as preliminary baseline figures, not validated research conclusions. Help shape Q3 — take our 5-min survey →

Q3 2026 Publishes October 7

The Boston Renter Intelligence Index becomes data-driven with our first survey-based release. Current neighborhood scores reflect Q2 2026 baseline data aggregated from US Census ACS, Zillow Research, Massachusetts Association of Realtors, and MBTA ridership. Our proprietary survey is collecting now.

Help shape Q3 → Take the 5-min survey

1. Survey Overview

The Boston Renter Intelligence Index (BRII) is a proprietary ongoing survey instrument developed and administered by Homzora Realty LLC. The survey is designed to capture real-time renter sentiment, rent burden, commute behavior, neighborhood satisfaction, and housing intention data across Greater Boston neighborhoods that is not available through existing public datasets.

The BRII is updated quarterly and published as part of Homzora’s Boston Housing Intelligence platform. All findings are made publicly available for research, journalism, and policy use with attribution.

2. Data Collection Method

Survey responses are collected through a voluntary, anonymous online survey instrument hosted on homzorarealty.com. Respondents self-select to participate after visiting Homzora content pages, tools, or the dedicated survey landing page.

3. Geographic Coverage

The survey covers 14 Greater Boston neighborhoods and municipalities. Respondents self-identify their current neighborhood from a standardized list.

4. Survey Instrument

The Boston Renter Intelligence Index collects responses through the current 12-question survey instrument. All questions use standardized multiple-choice response options to enable consistent cross-neighborhood and cross-period comparisons.

5. Data Limitations

Users of this dataset should be aware of the following limitations:

• Self-selection bias: Respondents self-select to participate which may over-represent engaged renters and under-represent certain demographic groups.
• Self-reported data: All rent figures and demographic information are self-reported and not independently verified.
• Online access: The survey is conducted online which may under-represent renters without reliable internet access.
• Sample size: As an ongoing survey the sample size grows over time. Early period results should be interpreted with appropriate caution. Current sample size is disclosed in each published report.
• Not a random sample: This survey does not use random sampling methodology and therefore results cannot be statistically extrapolated to the entire Greater Boston renter population.

6. Methodology Lock v1.0

Effective with the Q3 2026 release. The purpose of this section is that a figure published in 2026 and a figure published in 2028 mean the same thing. That comparability is the point of the series. Anything measured differently between quarters is not a trend, it is two unrelated numbers sharing a name.

What each index measures

B-RAI is the share of surveyed Greater Boston renters whose reported monthly rent exceeds 30 percent of reported gross monthly household income.

B-RSI is the share of surveyed renters who report they are likely or very likely to renew their current lease.

B-NDI is the share of surveyed renters reporting intent to move to a given neighborhood within 12 months, as a proportion of all move-intent responses that quarter.

Source of truth

Index figures are computed only from submitted survey responses. They are not computed from website analytics, from Google Analytics history, or from behavioral inference of any kind. A behavioral measure may be published alongside a survey figure only when it has been validated against survey data, and it is labelled as inferred rather than reported.

Income bands

Rent burden requires converting an income band to a number. The live form uses six income bands: under $50,000; $50,000–$75,000; $75,000–$100,000; $100,000–$150,000; $150,000–$200,000; and $200,000 or more. Survey-derived results are not yet available. Any future midpoint convention will be documented with the published release.

Sample thresholds

• Citywide index: 100 responses minimum. Below this, no index is published for that quarter.
• Neighborhood breakdown: 15 responses minimum. Below this the neighborhood is reported as insufficient sample. It is never estimated.
• Bedroom breakdown: 10 responses minimum. Below this the figure is suppressed.

A quarter that does not reach the citywide minimum publishes its response count and states that no index was produced. A gap in the series is recoverable. A fabricated figure is not.

Exclusions

One response per device per 24 hours. Reported rent outside 500 to 20,000 dollars is excluded as an entry error. Responses missing neighborhood, rent, or income band are excluded from index computation but counted in the response total. Exclusion counts are published with each release.

Revisions

Figures may be revised as sample grows. Every revision is published with the original figure, the revised figure, and the reason. Nothing is silently overwritten.

What breaks comparability

Any of the following requires a version bump and an explicit statement that figures before and after are not directly comparable: changing an index definition, changing the rent burden formula, changing income band midpoints, renaming or merging a neighborhood, changing sample thresholds, or changing question wording in a way that alters what is being asked. Reordering questions, visual redesign, and adding optional questions do not break comparability.

Published with every release

Response count for the quarter and cumulative, response count per neighborhood including suppressed ones, exclusion counts, the methodology version in force, and a plain statement that figures are self-reported by renters and not verified against leases.

Methodology Lock v1.0 · adopted 18 August 2026 · changes to this section are versioned and dated.

7. Citation Policy

Journalists, researchers, housing advocates, and policymakers are welcome to cite Boston Renter Intelligence Index data with attribution. Please use the following citation format:

For media inquiries, data requests, or research collaboration please contact info@homzorarealty.com.

8. Research Leadership