Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02120)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02120 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 9.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- Elevated poverty: 30.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
What’s happening in Boston, MA (02120)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02120 Boston
ZIP 02120 inside Suffolk County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $981K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Turning to rents, the numbers look inviting — $981K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 02120 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Statewide comparisons place 02120 among MA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Resident income in 02120 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
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 02120
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $615,192 | $2,860 | 3.3% | +5.3% | $307,596 |
| 3BR | $728,952 | $3,430 | 3.4% | +5.6% | $242,984 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02120 Compare?
| Metric | 02120 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $980,557 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.3% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $4,260 | $3,489 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% | 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 02120 (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 | $980,557 |
| Monthly Rent | $4,260 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.2% |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +18.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -4.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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 02120
Population: 15,248
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 02120
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Amigos School
Blackstone Elementary School
Burke High School
Cambridge Street Upper 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
Investor Insight: With 1,369 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rental rates like in Boston, MA?
Expect rents around $4,260/mo per month in Boston, MA. With home values at $981K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
How much does a house cost in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA home values average about $981K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $4,260/mo in monthly income.
How do experienced investors play Boston, MA?
Most investors in Boston, MA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
Are there empty rentals in Boston, MA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Boston, MA. Rents at $4,260/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
Does Boston, MA favor landlords or tenants?
MA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Boston inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
You know 02120 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02120 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 02120 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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