Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02119)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02119 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- Elevated poverty: 21.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Lower household income: $37,158 median — tenant affordability is tighter.
What’s happening in Boston, MA (02119)?
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Market Analysis: 02119 Boston
This part of Suffolk County is not an easy win. The 02119 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 02119 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Regionally, 02119 sits on the difficult end of the MA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Turning to rents, 26,851 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.
The right play in 02119 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:
Property Strategy for 02119
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $457,205 | $2,160 | 3.4% | +2.0% | $457,205 |
| 2BR | $531,113 | $2,560 | 3.5% | +2.5% | $265,556 |
| 3BR | $625,635 | $3,080 | 3.5% | +3.1% | $208,545 |
| 4BR | $724,950 | $3,390 | 3.4% | +4.6% | $181,237 |
| 5BR | $805,122 | — | — | +1.0% | $161,024 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02119 Compare?
| Metric | 02119 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $659,364 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.4% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,388 | $3,489 | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% | 3.1% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02119 (Boston, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02119 (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 | $659,364 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,388 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.2% |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +5.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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 02119
Population: 26,851
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 02119
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 1,369 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eviction rules reasonable in Boston, MA?
Landlord-friendliness in Boston, MA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
Is it easy to find good tenants in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $3,388/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
Are rents high in Boston, MA?
Investors in Boston, MA typically see rents near $3,388/mo per month against $659K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Can I house hack in Boston, MA?
For house hackers, Boston, MA is a challenging. The $3,388/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $659K property.
What is the typical home price in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA median home values land near $659K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $3,388/mo-per-month rentals.
You know 02119 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02119 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 02119 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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