Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02109)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02109 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- High vacancy: 26.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Boston, MA (02109)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02109 Boston
From an investor standpoint, ZIP 02109 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $971K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 02109 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Nearby ZIPs in Boston have seen price recovery that 02109 has not matched. Suffolk County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
A solid renter share of 64% in 02109 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 02109 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:
Property Strategy for 02109
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $650,935 | $3,710 | 4.1% | +1.0% | $650,935 |
| 2BR | $1,083,810 | $4,410 | 2.9% | +0.8% | $541,905 |
| 3BR | $2,049,522 | $5,290 | 1.9% | +1.1% | $683,174 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02109 Compare?
| Metric | 02109 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $970,519 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.9% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,777 | $3,489 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% | 3.1% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02109 (Boston, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Suffolk County
Manage rentals here? List your business →CHARLESGATE Property Management provides full-service, customized property management for condominiums, multifamily properties, and investment portfolios in the Greater Boston Area. summary from their website
First Realty Management provides real estate management services for condominiums and commercial properties. summary from their website
MerGo Group offers property management and vacation rental management services in the Boston Metro Area. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $970,519 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,777 |
| Price-to-Rent | 21.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.7% |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -6.4% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 02109
Population: 3,714
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 02109
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Amigos School
Blackstone Elementary School
Bradley Elementary School
Cambridge Street Upper School
Charlestown High School
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is real estate in Boston, MA a good investment right now?
Boston, MA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $971K and rents near $3,777/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
Is the tenant base reliable in Boston, MA?
Tenant demand in Boston, MA is solid. The local workforce $3,777/mo rents across most rental classes.
Are rents high in Boston, MA?
Rents in Boston, MA run near $3,777/mo. Compared with median home prices of $971K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
Is Boston, MA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
Boston, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($971K prices, $3,777/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
How tight is the rental market in Boston, MA?
Vacancy risk in Boston, MA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.
You know 02109 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02109 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 02109 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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