Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02135)

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

Suffolk County • Population: 43,683 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02135 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.0% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Boston, MA (02135)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $657,016
Avg Monthly Rent $3,064
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $87,603
% Renters 77.9%

Market Analysis: 02135 Boston

The 02135 ZIP in Boston, MA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $657K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

For an experienced owner, 02135 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $657K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Meanwhile, 02135 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 02135 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Boston averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 02135 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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: 51/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,064/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 02135

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+2.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$224,597/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $423,225 $2,740 4.7% +1.2% $423,225
2BR $551,190 $3,250 4.2% +1.5% $275,595
3BR $798,611 $3,900 3.5% +2.6% $266,204
4BR $949,892 $4,300 3.3% +1.3% $237,473
5BR $1,122,983 +1.0% $224,597

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$707K$615K$523K$431K$338K$246KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,225$2,967$2,709$2,451$2,194$1,936Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02135 Compare?

Metric 02135 Boston Massachusetts
Home Value $657,016 $852,655 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 1.0% 2.0% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,064 $3,489 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02135? Click to expand

78% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02135 (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
Fair
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $657,016
Monthly Rent $3,064
Price-to-Rent 17.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 4.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +4.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
6.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02135

Population: 43,683

💰 Median Household Income
$87,603
This area
$87,603
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
77.9%
This area
77.9%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
71.0%
This area
71.0%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
30.2 years
This area
30.2 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.2%
This area
6.2%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 63.7%
Asian 17.0%
Other/Mixed 13.8%
Hispanic/Latino 10.3%
Black/African American 5.5%
👶 Under 18
8.1%
This area
8.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.6%
This area
12.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
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 02135

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
9.6:1 Avg Class Size
$43,996 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Brighton High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Edison K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Boston Green Academy Horace Mann Charter School

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
459 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,611 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Winship Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lyon High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
102 Students
👨‍🏫
6.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lyon K-8 School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
120 Students
👨‍🏫
5.9:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A Very Good

Baldwin Early Learning Pilot Academy

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Amigos School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 15 Upton Street, Cambridge
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$53,724 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bigelow Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 42 Vernon St, Newton
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cunniff

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 246 Warren Street, Watertown
👥
310 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$68,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gardner Pilot Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 30 Athol Street, Allston
👥
371 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Horace Mann

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 225 Nevada Street, Newtonville
👥
360 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 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
C+
Saint John's Seminary
120 students · 0.6 mi
B+
Boston College
15,280 students · 1.2 mi
C
Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc
169 students · 1.3 mi
A
Boston University
36,624 students · 2.4 mi
A
Harvard University
30,386 students · 2.5 mi
C
Longy School of Music of Bard College
318 students · 2.5 mi
C
Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
199 students · 2.6 mi
C+
Emmanuel College
2,059 students · 2.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in Boston, MA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Boston, MA best. The market produces consistent results for that approach at the $657K price point.

Where do home prices stand in Boston, MA?

In Boston, MA the median home value sits at $657K. Against the broader MA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

How strict are landlord regulations in Boston, MA?

MA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Boston inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

How does Boston, MA stack up for property investment?

Boston, MA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $657K and rents near $3,064/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 02135 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 02135 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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