Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02130)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Suffolk County • Population: 41,109 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02130 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Boston, MA (02130)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $815,606
Avg Monthly Rent $3,201
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $114,933
% Renters 54.6%

Market Analysis: 02130 Boston

This part of Suffolk County is not an easy win. The 02130 ZIP comes in at 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 02130 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Boston have seen price recovery that 02130 has not matched. Suffolk County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 02130 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 02130 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $816K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,201/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 02130

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$290,142/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $481,139 $2,870 4.3% +2.7% $481,139
2BR $667,341 $3,410 3.7% +3.2% $333,671
3BR $940,508 $4,090 3.1% +3.9% $313,503
4BR $1,250,742 $4,510 2.6% +4.8% $312,686
5BR $1,450,709 +5.1% $290,142

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$861K$755K$649K$543K$437K$332KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,409$3,137$2,866$2,595$2,324$2,052Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02130 Compare?

Metric 02130 Boston Massachusetts
Home Value $815,606 $852,655 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 2.2% 2.0% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,201 $3,489 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02130? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

55% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02130 (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

HOASmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

First Realty Management provides real estate management services for condominiums and commercial properties. summary from their website

HOACommercial
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MerGo Group offers property management and vacation rental management services in the Boston Metro Area. summary from their website

Short-term rentals
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.2%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $815,606
Monthly Rent $3,201
Price-to-Rent 21.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 5.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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.

Vacancy
3.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02130

Population: 41,109

💰 Median Household Income
$114,933
This area
$114,933
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
54.6%
This area
54.6%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
70.7%
This area
70.7%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.0 years
This area
35.0 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 63.6%
Other/Mixed 17.3%
Hispanic/Latino 12.9%
Black/African American 12.7%
Asian 6.4%
👶 Under 18
16.7%
This area
16.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.5%
This area
13.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
USA
11.5%

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 02130

A+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
9.9:1 Avg Class Size
$47,393 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

English High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
682 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hennigan K-8 School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
505 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Margarita Muniz Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
308 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Boston Teachers Union K-8 Pilot

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
272 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Curley K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
912 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Kennedy John F Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Manning Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
169 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

West Zone Early Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
113 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A Very Good

Greater Egleston High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
76 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A Very Good

Community Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
41 Students
👨‍🏫
3.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
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

8 Nearby 1,369 Off-Campus Students
C
Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
199 students · 0.9 mi
C
Roxbury Community College
1,631 students · 1.8 mi
C+
MCPHS University
6,321 students · 2.1 mi
C+
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
1,986 students · 2.1 mi
C+
Wentworth Institute of Technology
4,018 students · 2.2 mi
C+
Simmons University
5,053 students · 2.3 mi
C+
Emmanuel College
2,059 students · 2.3 mi
C
Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc
169 students · 2.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,369 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Boston, MA stack up for property investment?

Yes - Boston, MA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $816K home prices against $3,201/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the best play in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($816K prices, $3,201/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How much rent can I charge in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA rentals go for roughly $3,201/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $816K acquisition costs.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Boston, MA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Boston, MA. The rental market absorbs $3,201/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is MA a landlord-friendly state?

The landlord environment in Boston, MA is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

You know 02130 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02130 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.

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How 02130 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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