Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02116)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02116 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- High vacancy: 16.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Boston, MA (02116)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02116 Boston
The 02116 ZIP covers a section of Boston that demands careful diligence. Prices near $1.3M look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 02116 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
In the broader MA picture, 02116 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
On balance, 22,040 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:
Property Strategy for 02116
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $815,102 | $3,510 | 3.1% | +0.5% | $815,102 |
| 2BR | $1,630,979 | $4,170 | 1.8% | +2.1% | $815,490 |
| 3BR | $3,156,092 | $5,000 | 1.1% | +1.5% | $1,052,031 |
| 4BR | $4,710,314 | $5,520 | 0.8% | +2.2% | $1,177,579 |
| 5BR | $5,762,850 | — | — | +4.1% | $1,152,570 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02116 Compare?
| Metric | 02116 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,341,949 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.5% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,585 | $3,489 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% | 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 02116 (Boston, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02116 (Boston, MA)?
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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 | $1,341,949 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,585 |
| Price-to-Rent | 31.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 3.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +1.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +4.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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 02116
Population: 22,040
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 02116
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Amigos School
Blackstone Elementary School
Cambridge Street Upper School
Charlestown High School
Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy
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
Should investors consider Boston, MA?
Our data puts Boston, MA at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $1.3M and rents around $3,585/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
How much rent can I charge in Boston, MA?
Investors in Boston, MA typically see rents near $3,585/mo per month against $1.3M home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Do rentals sit vacant long in Boston, MA?
Vacancy in Boston, MA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $3,585/mo.
Which real estate strategy fits Boston, MA?
In Boston, MA the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $1.3M prices and $3,585/mo rents suits that approach.
What is the average home sale price in Boston, MA?
The median home value in Boston, MA is roughly $1.3M. That puts it reasonable relative to the MA statewide average.
You know 02116 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02116 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 02116 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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