City Guide
Boston, MA
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
$840,500
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 $977,500
and $750,000
, respectively. Boston area townhouses have a median sale price of $1,010,000
, 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, MAExplore 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 | $725,000 | 82 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Jamaica Plain | $800,000 | 85 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Roslindale | $750,000 | 88 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Brighton | $629,500 | 84 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| West Roxbury | $840,000 | 90 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Boston Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in Boston
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Boston
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
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 $830,000. Overall, housing in Boston is 88% 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
88%
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.
- 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 moving to Boston from?
- 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.
Where are people from Boston moving to?
Number of People Moving to Boston
least
most
People are moving to Boston from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 4,289 | ||
| 2 | 3,609 | ||
| 3 | 1,519 | ||
| 4 | 388 | ||
| 5 | 338 | ||
| 6 | 335 | ||
| 7 | 277 | ||
| 8 | 160 | ||
| 9 | 13 | ||
| 10 | 12 | ||
People are leaving Boston for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 3,269 | ||
| 2 | 2,030 | ||
| 3 | 1,415 | ||
| 4 | 927 | ||
| 5 | 886 | ||
| 6 | 785 | ||
| 7 | 710 | ||
| 8 | 574 | ||
| 9 | 483 | ||
| 10 | 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
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.
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
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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