10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods In Boston, MA

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by Upgraded Home Team

Boston is one of the most amazing cities you could live in. There is a rich nightlife, a fantastic theater district, and the Boston Art Museum is a must if you’re visiting Boston. It has the vibes of San Francisco, but it is smaller and more affordable. The area is full of opportunities for young entrepreneurs looking to make it big in the city. Boston is home to 684,379 people and continues to draw people in.

The most affordable neighborhoods in Boston, MA, are Mattapan, Roxbury, Fenway-Kenmore, and East Boston. Also, Roslindale, Hyde Park, and North or South Dorchester. However, Boston is quite expensive, and the average rent in these neighborhoods is around $2,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and $3,000 for a 3-bedroom home.

Boston is a place where the train runs for 12 hours a day, and you can easily take it to get from Massachusetts to New Hampshire or even to Connecticut. You can live a state away or take a look at these neighborhoods inside of Boston to live affordably. This is one of the greatest cities on the planet, and you should thoroughly enjoy it.

Finding The Most Affordable Neighborhoods

For every neighborhood in Boston, we looked at places that had lower median rent, low median home value, populations, and more.

Boston is not the most affordable city, but it is a beautiful place full of wild events and fun activities. If you can find a place within your budget, it may be the best experience of your life.

The Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston, MA

Take a peek at these ten neighborhoods in Boston that are more affordable than other areas. You may find your dream home at a reasonable price!

1. Mattapan

  • Population: 39,010
  • Median Home Value: $494,164
  • Median Rental: $2,113

Though the cost of living in Mattapan is 21% higher than the national average, this area is 7% lower than the Boston average.

Most people choose to rent in this neighborhood because it is more affordable than owning a home. This neighborhood’s median income is $43,256, slightly lower than the Boston average of $55,777.

However, this is still close enough to the city where crime is an issue; the area has a violent crime rate that is 139% higher than the national average. Your chance of being a victim in this neighborhood is 1 in 30.

Mattapan is a neighborhood located between Rosindale and Dorchester. The Mattapan neighborhood is an urban/suburban paradise.

Although slightly more expensive than Rosindale on the west and Dorchester on the east, Mattapan provides a charming experience for residents, complete with local coffee shops, parks, and even a neighborhood trolley.

There are about 39,010 residents of Mattapan. The median home value is $494,164, while rent for a two-bedroom apartment runs about $2,113 per month.

2. Roxbury

  • Population: 63,672
  • Median Home Value: $536,849
  • Median Rental: $2,100

This may be a cheaper place to live, but in Roxbury, your chance of being a victim is much higher than in other places in Boston. You have a 1 in 21 chance of being a victim of crime, which is an area you shouldn’t walk around in at night.

However, there are many beautiful things about this area. There are old gothic architecture mansions and many historical sites to see. This is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, which gives it a rich culture.

There are approximately 63,672 residents of Roxbury. The homes cost about $536,849, and rent for a two-bedroom home comes in at $2,100.

Roxbury is one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods. The Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were the first European settlers when it was founded nearly 400 years ago, in 1630. It was incorporated as a city in 1846 and annexed by Boston in 1868.

Roxbury, originally a farming community, was home to several prominent colonial figures. Roxbury Neck connected the town to Boston, which was three miles to the north on a peninsula at the time, requiring all land traffic to pass through Roxbury.

3. Fenway-Kenmore

  • Population: 38,280
  • Median Home Value: $995,000
  • Median Rental: $2,200

This area is actually one of the safer places to live in Boston; the crime rate is 24% below the national average.

Your chance of being a victim of crime is 1 in 53, which is pretty good compared to other areas in the city. This area is 71% safer than other cities in Massachusetts.

It is the perfect area to rent an apartment but not to buy. Any houses on the market for sale are ungodly expensive. Rent is $2,200 per month, while it’s about $995,00 to purchase a home. However, the cost of living is reasonable for the location.

Fenway/Kenmore is known for its strong academic presence, which includes Boston Latin School, America’s first public school, and several colleges and universities. Nearly a dozen of Greater Boston’s 100 colleges and universities can be found here, giving the neighborhood an unmistakably energetic feel.

Many of these undergraduate students, as well as young people from all over the city, flock to the lively bars and clubs on Lansdowne Street. Frederick Law Olmsted designed the Fenway, a central thoroughfare that encircles the Back Bay Fens, the neighborhood’s premier green space.

4. East Boston

  • Population: 43,436
  • Median Home Value: $540,457
  • Median Rental: $1,996

East Boston is another relatively safe place to live, with a crime rate that is 35% below the national average.

Most neighbors will agree this is a safer neighborhood to live in and is much cheaper than other areas. You still get the amenities that downtown Boston provides, but you are more on the outskirts of town.

For the amenities and location, $1,996 for a two-bedroom apartment isn’t bad! Frankly, neither is $540,457 to purchase a home. Not to mention, you would be living in a population of 43,436 which is less crowded than nearby areas.

Your chance of being a victim of crime is 1 in 62, which means it is safer than all previous options. The other thing about this area is that the public schools are rated above average and tend to be better than the alternatives.

There are also many excellent restaurants and pubs in this area. East Boston is located in the county of Suffolk. Living in East Boston provides residents with an urban-suburban mix, and most residents rent their homes.

There are numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and parks in East Boston. East Boston is home to many families and young professionals, and the people who live there are generally liberal. East Boston’s public schools are above average.

5. Roslindale

  • Population: 36,129
  • Median Home Value: $603,224
  • Median Rental: $1,365

Your chances of being a victim of crime in this area are 1 in 71, 43% below the national average. The median home income is much higher than Boston’s average; most homes earn around $68,209. Though this neighborhood is still in the city, it has a more urban feel that attracts many newcomers.

It is filling up quickly, and the appreciation of homes is increasing. You still have time to get into this fantastic neighborhood; many rentals are open and available to start your new life in.

Living in Roslindale is similar to living in East Boston in terms of cost of living, but Roslindale has a slight advantage because apartments in this neighborhood are less expensive.

You can expect to pay $1,365 for a two-bedroom apartment or duplex or $603,224 to purchase a house, which is more expensive. The area is less crowded as the population is 36,129 in this area.

Rosindale is very appealing to families and retirees due to the low rent. This area also has a low crime rate and excellent schools, including Sacred Heart School and Brooke Rosindale. It also has family-friendly housing options, such as 2-bedroom apartments and even duplexes.

6. Hyde Park

  • Population: 35,116
  • Median Home Value: $522,117
  • Median Rental: $1,381

Owning a home here is doable and less expensive than in other areas, but many people choose to rent in this neighborhood because it is one of the best prices in Boston.

The crime rates are 25% lower than the national average. Overall, it is a pretty decent place to live affordably without worrying about crime.

When it comes to low-cost apartment rentals, Hyde Park is at the top of the list. Despite its location in the city’s southernmost reaches, the neighborhood is easily accessible thanks to the nearby commuter rail.

It costs about $1,381 to rent a two-bedroom apartment and $522,117 to purchase a home. The population in the area is 35,116 so it’s bustling, but not crowded.

Because of the many Haitian and Dominican immigrants who live in Hyde Park, you can find authentic Caribbean cuisine on almost every block. The neighborhood also has a family-oriented vibe, it is popular with both families and retirees.

This is a diverse area that is incredibly walkable, with many events going on. Hyde Park has plenty of transportation options to get in and around the city but isn’t the best area if you own a car. Almost nowhere in Boston goes unscathed from the traffic in and around the city.

7. Allston-Brighton

  • Population: 67,713
  • Median Home Value: $548,371
  • Median Rental: $1,750

Allston-Brighton is an amazing place to live because it is one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston! This Boston neighborhood is popular among college students and recent graduates because it is home to Boston University, Boston College, and Harvard University.

Students, singles, and young professionals will find a mix of condos and apartments in renovated buildings, as well as rowhouses and single-family homes on tree-lined streets, in this neighborhood.

There are approximately 67,713 people in this area. The median home value is $548,371, while rent is $1,750 on average. This is very affordable for a college town that also has excellent safety ratings.

This is a city that is 82% safer than other cities in Massachusetts. The crime rate is 34% lower than the national crime rate, and if you were to live here, the chance of being a victim of crime is 1 in 61.

Many people choose to live here because it is far enough from the downtown area to have less crime and better prices yet still be close enough for the activities. Many people who work downtown choose to live here and commute in.

8. North Dorchester

  • Population: 27,791
  • Median Home Value: $593,383
  • Median Rental: $2,542

The livability score for North Dorchester is 7% lower than the rest of Boston. The rent here is much cheaper, and the homes to own tend to be more affordable. However, the crime rate in this area is very high and is rated an F.

The crime rate is 48% higher than the national average, and your chance of being a victim is 1 in 28. The median home income in this neighborhood is $56,252, making the area incredibly affordable though it is still unsafe.

North Dorchester is a sprawling, bustling 6-mile neighborhood that borders the South End and South Boston to the north. Because of the neighborhood’s size, it is dotted with hubs of sub-communities involved in fostering culturally diverse and lively areas within the neighborhood.

North Dorchester’s average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,542 per month, which is approximately 35% less than the neighboring neighborhoods of South End and South Boston. Downtown Boston is about a 15-minute drive from Central Dorchester via the MBTA Red Line or by car.

9. South Dorchester

  • Population: 66,765
  • Median Home Value: $555,457
  • Median Rental: $1,895

This is another area with a crime rate that is higher than the national average at 39% higher, which is still lower than the sister neighborhood of North Dorchester.

It is just slightly safer and more affordable to live in. The crime rate is still 7% lower than the rest of Boston, attracting people to this area.

The median home income is $61,578, which leaves a lot of wiggle room in the budget. It is a vibrant community with many bars and new cafes, but you will need to be careful walking around at night. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime are 1 in 29.

It costs about $555,457 on average to purchase a home in South Dorchester. The median rent is $1,895 for a two-bedroom apartment right in the heart near downtown.

10. Jamaica Plain

  • Population: 45,158
  • Median Home Value: $668,446
  • Median Rental: $2,893

This is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Boston. Unlike the downtown area, this neighborhood has plenty of wide-open green spaces, and the neighbors are tight-knit.

This tends to be more affordable than downtown and leaves plenty of options to rent or buy for newcomers. The median home income for this area is $94,733, which means most people who live here can afford to live comfortably.

Though violent crime is 20% above the national average, the total offense is 21% below the national average. Your chance of being a victim in this area is still pretty low; you have a 1 in 52 chance.

Living in Jamaica Plain will quickly make you realize that JP is more than just a major suburb: it has a strong sense of community, culture, and art that is difficult to find today.

Jamaica Plain neighborhoods are culturally rich, beautiful, and diverse, but they are united by shared characteristics such as colorful architecture and independent stores. Are you relocating to Jamaica Plain but aren’t sure where you want to live? Here are some of the most interesting Jamaica Plain neighborhoods to visit.

Wrapping It Up

These are the best neighborhoods to find good deals where you can enjoy the city vibe and affordably. The most expensive Boston places include Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and the South End. These three are some original and historical areas in Boston that make them expensive.

Most of us can’t afford to live in the city, and we tend to expand outward and away. The best way to live in Boston is to live a little further away from the city and commute using the unique transportation system.

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We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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