Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02124)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02124 (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.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Boston, MA (02124)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02124 Boston
This part of Suffolk County is not an easy win. The 02124 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
For an experienced owner, 02124 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $698K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Stepping back, 02124 offers a low basis, the region around Boston has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
In practical terms, 55,897 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 02124 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 02124
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $456,174 | $2,160 | 3.4% | +1.3% | $456,174 |
| 2BR | $545,810 | $2,560 | 3.4% | +3.2% | $272,905 |
| 3BR | $658,854 | $3,080 | 3.4% | +3.8% | $219,618 |
| 4BR | $786,190 | $3,390 | 3.1% | +4.3% | $196,547 |
| 5BR | $882,103 | — | — | +4.8% | $176,421 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02124 Compare?
| Metric | 02124 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $698,161 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.7% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,041 | $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 02124 (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 | $698,161 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,041 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.2% |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +0.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
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 02124
Population: 55,897
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 02124
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Burke High School
Community Academy of Science and Health
Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy
Dever Elementary School
Ellis Elementary 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
Investor Insight: With 2,579 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is rent in Boston, MA?
Investors in Boston, MA typically see rents near $3,041/mo per month against $698K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
How should investors approach Boston, MA?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Boston, MA. The numbers - $698K homes against $3,041/mo rents - support that play.
Is Boston, MA a smart market for rental property?
Our data puts Boston, MA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $698K and rents around $3,041/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
Is Boston, MA good for landlords?
Landlord-friendliness in Boston, MA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Boston, MA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Boston, MA. Rents at $3,041/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
You know 02124 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02124 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 02124 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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