City Guide

Boston, MA

Overview
Living In Boston
Cost of Living In Boston
Migration
Things to do
Transportation

Overview

Boston, MA, is recognized for its famous baked beans, the Boston Marathon, and Fenway Park. There are 680,000 residents, so if you plan on moving to Boston, you'll never tire of meeting new people and learning about Boston's rich culture and past. An interesting detail is that the Boston Common is the oldest public park in the U.S. Another fun tidbit about Boston is that it was the first U.S. city to have a subway system.

What’s it like to live in Boston, MA ?

If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Boston, MA you'll find that the median sale price is and homes stay on the market for 21 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of a single family home and a condo/co-op in Boston are and , respectively. Boston area townhouses have a median sale price of , making them more expensive than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Boston, MA

Explore our Boston housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over the years and how Boston home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Boston rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Boston rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Boston, or looking for a new home improvement project, discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.

Popular neighborhoods in and around Boston

Neighborhood	Median Sale Price	Compete Score	Walk Score	Real Estate
Dorchester	$747,000	81 / 100	--	For Sale For Rent
Jamaica Plain	$799,000	87 / 100	--	For Sale For Rent
Brighton	$640,000	83 / 100	--	For Sale For Rent
Back Bay	$1,443,750	63 / 100	97 / 100	For Sale For Rent
West Roxbury	$875,000	89 / 100	--	For Sale For Rent

Note: Home prices vary by seasonLast Updated: 2025-06-30

Boston Articles & Neighborhood Content

Popular homes for sale in Boston

See all homes for sale

$579,000
6 beds
1.5 baths
1764 sq ft
28 Fifield St, Boston, MA 02122
$929,000
2 beds
1.5 baths
1110 sq ft
268 Bunker Hill St #5, Boston, MA 02129
$949,999
3 beds
3 baths
2391 sq ft
57 Rockland St, Boston, MA 02132
$850,000
6 beds
2 baths
3752 sq ft
51 Pasadena Rd, Boston, MA 02121
$303,551
2 beds
1 bath
1028 sq ft
1241-1255 Adams St Unit F107, Boston, MA 02124
$949,900
4 beds
2 baths
2096 sq ft
48 Kenwood St, Boston, MA 02124
$359,900
2 beds
1.5 baths
965 sq ft
25R Rockland St #6, Boston, MA 02132
$1,500,000
4 beds
5 baths
3600 sq ft
411 Adams St, Boston, MA 02122
$1,899,900
4 beds
3.5 baths
2029 sq ft
8 Hancock St, Boston, MA 02129
$819,000
3 beds
2 baths
2118 sq ft
2290 Centre St, Boston, MA 02132

Rental listings in Boston

See how much rent you can afford See all rental listings

1 / 33
NEW 25 HRS AGO
DEAL
$2,988+ /mo
0-2 beds
1-2.5 bath
560-1,468 sq ft
Harborview at the Navy Yard | 250 1st Ave, Boston, MA 02129
Apartment • 14 units available
Harborview at the Navy Yard - 250 1st Ave, Boston, MA 02129
1 / 27
$2,325+ /mo
1 bed
1 bath
630-1,010 sq ft
65 Morton Village Dr, Mattapan, MA 02126
Apartment • 7 units available
65 Morton Village Dr, Mattapan, MA 02126
1 / 17
$2,050+ /mo
0 beds
1 bath
450 sq ft
1125 Commonwealth Ave, Allston, MA 02134
Apartment
1125 Commonwealth Ave, Allston, MA 02134
1 / 87
NEW 1 HR AGO
DEAL
$2,400+ /mo
0-3 beds
1 bath
395-784 sq ft
11 Tetlow St, Boston, MA 02115
Apartment • 14 units available
11 Tetlow St, Boston, MA 02115
1 / 7
$2,350+ /mo
0-3 beds
1 bath
—sq ft
38 Hemenway St, Boston, MA 02115
Apartment
38 Hemenway St, Boston, MA 02115
1 / 6
DEAL
$2,495+ /mo
0-2 beds
1-2 bath
462-1,098 sq ft
Imprint | 780 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, MA 02122
Apartment • 9 units available
Imprint - 780 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, MA 02122
1 / 32
3D WALKTHROUGH
—
1-3 bed
1-1.5 bath
784-1,160 sq ft
Bartlett Place Bldg B | 2565 Washington St, Boston, MA 02119
Apartment
Bartlett Place Bldg B - 2565 Washington St, Boston, MA 02119
1 / 27
NEW 3 HRS AGO
DEAL
$2,800+ /mo
1-2 bed
1-1.5 bath
586-1,024 sq ft
Baker Chocolate Factory | 1220 Adams St, Dorchester, MA 02124
Apartment • 8 units available
Baker Chocolate Factory - 1220 Adams St, Dorchester, MA 02124
1 / 17
3D WALKTHROUGH
$2,350+ /mo
0-2 beds
1 bath
456-930 sq ft
1943 DOT Ave | 1943 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Apartment • 6 units available
1943 DOT Ave - 1943 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
1 / 9
3D WALKTHROUGH
$2,300+ /mo
0-2 beds
1 bath
—sq ft
191-195 Park Drive | 191 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215
Apartment
191-195 Park Drive - 191 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215
1 / 9
$2,400+ /mo
1-2 bed
1 bath
—sq ft
65 Chiswick Rd, Boston, MA 02135
Apartment
65 Chiswick Rd, Boston, MA 02135
1 / 15
NEW 11 HRS AGO
DEAL
$2,000+ /mo
0-1 beds
1 bath
200-525 sq ft
Commonwealth Apartments | 1144-1160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02134
Apartment • 25 units available
Commonwealth Apartments - 1144-1160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02134

What is the cost of living in Boston?

The cost of living in Boston is 46% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Boston, the average monthly rent is $4,011, while the median home price is $837,000. Overall, housing in Boston is 87% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 4% higher in Boston. Though healthcare costs 29% higher in Boston compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Boston, an optometry check-up costs around $201.25, while a dentist appointment is $145.00 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Boston. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.

Compared to the national average

46%

Cost of living

87%

Home prices

Cost of living calculator

Compare cities across the U.S.

Boston Migration & Relocation Trends

In Feb '25 - Apr '25, 20% of Boston homebuyers searched to move out of Boston, while 80% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.

Where are people moving to Boston from?

Across the nation, 3% of homebuyers searched to move into Boston from outside metros.
New York homebuyers searched to move into Boston more than any other metro followed by Hartford and Springfield.

Where are people from Boston moving to?

80% of Boston homebuyers searched to stay within the Boston metropolitan area.
Portland was the most popular destination among Boston homebuyers followed by Lebanon and Miami.

Number of People Moving to Boston

least

most

People are moving to Boston from

Inbound		Net inflow
Metros		Feb '25 - Apr '25
1	New York, NY	4,289
2	Hartford, CT	3,609
3	Springfield, MA	1,519
4	Washington, DC	388
5	San Francisco, CA	338
6	Vineyard Haven, MA	335
7	Los Angeles, CA	277
8	Seattle, WA	160
9	Reno, NV	13
10	Louisville, KY	12

People are leaving Boston for

Outbound		Net outflow
Metros		Feb '25 - Apr '25
1	Portland, ME	3,269
2	Lebanon, NH	2,030
3	Miami, FL	1,415
4	Orlando, FL	927
5	Cape Coral, FL	886
6	Sarasota, FL	785
7	Myrtle Beach, SC	710
8	Tampa, FL	574
9	Bangor, ME	483
10	Berlin, NH	396

Methodology

This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.

What is there to do in Boston, MA ?

Boston, MA, is home to numerous activities from taking in the views of the Charles River or historic architecture to exploring one of the many museums and green spaces. With 102 museums, you'll never tire of learning about Boston's culture. Make sure to check out the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, for a small glimpse of Boston's museums. And if you want to catch a concert, make sure to head to venues like House of Blues Boston or watch an opera at the Boston Opera House. There are many parks in Boston, so make sure to check out the Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, and Rose Kennedy Greenway. You'll find plenty of restaurants serving classic Boston staples like cannolis, Boston creme pie, Boston baked beans, and lobster rolls to name a few. Make sure you grab a bite to eat at Mike's Pastry, Parker's Restaurant, and Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant, for a small taste of what this city has to offer.

Explore some of the best things to do in Boston

All
Foodies
Pet Lovers
Fun for All
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Arts & Culture

Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar
Peters Park
New England Aquarium
Boston Public Garden
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
George Howell Coffee
East First Street Dog Park
Boston Bowl
Boston National Historical Park
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Tatte
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Teammates Statue
Hub Hall
Tatte
Boston Common
Ted Williams Statue
Museum of Fine Arts
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Dorchester Park
Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary
USS Constitution Museum
Tatte
Brophy Park
Millennium Park
Museum of Science
Caffe Vittoria
Polka Dog Bakery
Christopher Columbus Park
Big Night Live
Pressed Cafe
Twickenton Dog & Cat Grooming
North Point Park
Sparks BU Rowing Camp
Foundation Room
Nespresso Boutique
BYOD Dog Wash
Martin’s Park
Old South Meeting House
The Well Coffeehouse
WAGS Charlestown
The Lawn on D
Boch Center

Foodies

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed foodie, or simply love great food, Boston has many restaurants, cafes, and dessert shops to choose from.

Pet Lovers

Pet lovers unite! Explore the many pet-friendly amenities in Boston, like dog parks, pet stores, groomers, veterinarians, and more.

Fun for All

Explore Boston attractions that are fun for all ages. From zoos to parks, and everything in between, discover some of the best attractions for everyone.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Discover the many outdoor activities in Boston. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore parks, nature preserves, campgrounds, and more.

Arts & Culture

If you’re an art connoisseur, history buff, or music maven, consider visiting one of Boston's local art galleries, museums, or music venues.

What's the best way to get around Boston, MA ?

The best way to get around Boston is by foot, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Boston has a walk score of 83, meaning this area is very walkable. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. Boston has a transit score of 72 and convenient for most trips. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 02128, 02115 and 02215. You can also get around Boston by bike. With a bike score of 69, there is some amount of infrastructure for biking.

83 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

72 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

69 / 100

Bikeable

Bike Score®

Boston Transportation

Bus Station

Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.

Rail Station

Boston has 36 heavy rail stations; MBTA Fenway Station, Orient Heights MBTA Station - Blue Line, MBTA Ruggles Station, Forest Hills Station, MBTA Back Bay Station (MBTA/Amtrak), MBTA - JFK/UMass, South Station Garage (Propark), Maverick Station, MBTA Stony Brook Station, Aquarium MBTA Station - East Boston - Boston, MA. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.

Tram Station

Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.

Metro Station

Boston has 19 metro stops. There are few metro lines, which means it is difficult to use them to commute.

Car & Bike Rentals

Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 69 car rental locations. Renting a bike is another good way to get around. There are 6 bike rental locations.

Airports

Boston has 3 airports, 1 of which is an international airport.

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