2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston - 2026 Data
The median home value in Boston is $620,000, 120% above nat'l avg. Median rent is $2,743/month. With an affordability index of 98, Boston is less affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Boston, MA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Boston
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Boston is Beacon Hill, with a median home value of $985,000.
- 2Boston's median home value is $620,000, 120% above nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Boston's affordability index is 98 (baseline 100), making it less affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Boston is $2,743/month, 136% above nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Boston to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Boston Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$620,000
120% above nat'l avg
Median Rent
$2,743/mo
136% above nat'l avg
Median Income
$76,298
Near nat'l avg
Affordability Index
98
Near nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beacon HillBoston, MA | $985,000 |
| 2 | Back BayBoston, MA | $1,050,000 |
| 3 | CambridgeBoston, MA | $785,000 |
| 4 | South End BostonBoston, MA | $825,000 |
| 5 | LowellMA | $362,800 |
| 6 | QuincyMA | $563,200 |
| 7 | LynnMA | $442,800 |
| 8 | New BedfordMA | $291,300 |
| 9 | Fall RiverMA | $328,100 |
| 10 | NewtonMA | $1,136,200 |
| 11 | FraminghamMA | $553,200 |
| 12 | HaverhillMA | $400,900 |
| 13 | MaldenMA | $570,600 |
| 14 | WalthamMA | $679,000 |
| 15 | PalmerMA | $232,300 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $985,000
Rent: $2,532/mo
Affordability: 54
Population: 10,000
Walk Score: 99/100
Home Value: $1,050,000
Rent: $2,414/mo
Affordability: 44
Population: 26,000
Walk Score: 100/100
Home Value: $785,000
Rent: $2,322/mo
Affordability: 35
Population: 118,977
Walk Score: 94/100
4
Home Value: $825,000
Rent: $760/mo
Affordability: 10
Population: 35,000
Walk Score: 97/100
5
Home Value: $362,800
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 114,737
Walk Score: 29/100
6
Home Value: $563,200
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 100,981
Walk Score: 29/100
7
Home Value: $442,800
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 100,653
Walk Score: 29/100
8
Home Value: $291,300
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 100,620
Walk Score: 29/100
9
Home Value: $328,100
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 93,638
Walk Score: 29/100
10
Home Value: $1,136,200
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 88,453
Walk Score: 29/100
11
Home Value: $553,200
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 71,805
Walk Score: 29/100
12
Home Value: $400,900
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 67,273
Walk Score: 29/100
13
Home Value: $570,600
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 65,463
Walk Score: 29/100
14
Home Value: $679,000
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 64,711
Walk Score: 29/100
15
Home Value: $232,300
Rent: $1,036/mo
Affordability: 124
Population: 12,422
Walk Score: 29/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Boston
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Boston, MA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Beacon Hill is the most affordable neighborhood in Boston with a median home value of $985,000. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Boston area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Boston, MA?▾
The median home price in Boston is $620,000, which is 120% above nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Boston affordable compared to the national average?▾
Boston has an affordability index of 98, which means housing is less affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Boston, MA?▾
The median monthly rent in Boston is $2,743. This is 136% above nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Boston?▾
The median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Boston are below the national average home price?▾
1 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Boston have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Palmer at $232,300 (Source: Kurby, 2026).