Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02132)

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

Suffolk County • Population: 27,069 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 02132 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

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 (02132)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $823,528
Avg Monthly Rent $2,798
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $132,457
% Renters 30.2%

Market Analysis: 02132 Boston

The 02132 ZIP covers a section of Boston that demands careful diligence. Prices near $824K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 02132 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $824K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In practical terms, 02132 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.

The demographic picture in 02132 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Boston averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 02132 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,798/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 02132

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$241,944/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $340,734 $2,430 5.1% +3.6% $340,734
2BR $583,573 $2,880 3.6% +5.5% $291,787
3BR $808,454 $3,450 3.1% +4.8% $269,485
4BR $967,777 $3,810 2.8% +5.1% $241,944
5BR $1,222,374 +6.0% $244,475

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$868K$756K$644K$533K$421K$309KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,845$2,708$2,571$2,434$2,298$2,161Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02132 Compare?

Metric 02132 Boston Massachusetts
Home Value $823,528 $852,655 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 2.0% 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,798 $3,489 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02132? Click to expand

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

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02132 (Boston, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02132 (Boston, MA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

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
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Short-term rentals
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $823,528
Monthly Rent $2,798
Price-to-Rent 24.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +1.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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.

Vacancy
5.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02132

Population: 27,069

💰 Median Household Income
$132,457
This area
$132,457
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.2%
This area
30.2%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
64.4%
This area
64.4%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.6 years
This area
43.6 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.2%
Other/Mixed 11.1%
Asian 8.7%
Hispanic/Latino 7.7%
Black/African American 4.9%
👶 Under 18
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
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 02132

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
10.7:1 Avg Class Size
$47,393 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Kilmer K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
371 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ohrenberger School

📚 03 – 08 School
👥
448 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Beethoven Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lyndon K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Avery

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
📍 336 High Street, Dedham
👥
322 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$30,478 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Boston Community Leadership Academy

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 655 Metropolitan Ave, Hyde Park
👥
569 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bowen

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 280 Cypress Street, Newton Centre
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Charles E Brown Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 125 Meadowbrook Rd, Newton Centre
👥
732 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dedham High

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 140 Whiting Avenue, Dedham
👥
731 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,478 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 1,014 Off-Campus Students
C
William James College
951 students · 2.4 mi
C
Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
199 students · 3.1 mi
C+
Boston Baptist College
33 students · 3.1 mi
C
Curry College
1,994 students · 3.6 mi
B+
Boston College
15,280 students · 4.0 mi
C
Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc
169 students · 4.4 mi
C+
Saint John's Seminary
120 students · 4.5 mi
C
Roxbury Community College
1,631 students · 4.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,014 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston, MA good for landlords?

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

Which real estate strategy fits 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.

What are home prices like in Boston, MA?

Typical homes in Boston, MA go for around $824K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

What are vacancy rates like in Boston, MA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Boston, MA. Rents at $2,798/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

How viable is house hacking in Boston, MA?

House hacking works a challenging in Boston, MA. Rents of $2,798/mo against $824K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 02132 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02132 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.

Compare Plans

How 02132 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 02132 (Boston)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 02132 (Boston, MA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.