Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02128)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02128 (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: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Boston, MA (02128)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02128 Boston
Investors eyeing 02128 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $668K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The investment case in 02128 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $668K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Regionally, 02128 sits on the difficult end of the MA spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Who lives in 02128 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
The 02128 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:
Property Strategy for 02128
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $531,798 | $2,310 | 3.1% | +1.7% | $531,798 |
| 2BR | $645,843 | $2,740 | 3.1% | +2.7% | $322,921 |
| 3BR | $747,239 | $3,290 | 3.2% | +3.8% | $249,080 |
| 4BR | $800,640 | $3,630 | 3.3% | +3.0% | $200,160 |
| 5BR | $990,189 | — | — | +4.2% | $198,038 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02128 Compare?
| Metric | 02128 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $668,461 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.1% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,189 | $3,489 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% | 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 02128 (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 | $668,461 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,189 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.7% |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +0.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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 02128
Population: 44,124
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 02128
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 3,776 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are home prices like in Boston, MA?
Typical homes in Boston, MA go for around $668K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.
What is the typical renter like in Boston, MA?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Boston, MA. The rental market absorbs $3,189/mo rents without meaningful friction.
What real estate strategy is ideal for Boston, MA?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Boston, MA best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $668K price point.
Is house hacking profitable in Boston, MA?
House hacking in Boston, MA is a challenging. With home values around $668K and rents at $3,189/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
How high is vacancy risk in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
You know 02128 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02128 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 02128 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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