Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02136)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02136 (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 (02136)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02136 Boston
This part of Suffolk County is not an easy win. The 02136 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Rent of $2,668/mo on a $659K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 02136 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
ZIP 02136's metrics run below Suffolk County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Resident income in 02136 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategy in 02136 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $659K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:
Property Strategy for 02136
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $349,349 | $2,170 | 4.5% | +4.9% | $349,349 |
| 2BR | $519,979 | $2,580 | 3.6% | +5.1% | $259,990 |
| 3BR | $643,335 | $3,090 | 3.5% | +4.7% | $214,445 |
| 4BR | $710,656 | $3,420 | 3.5% | +4.5% | $177,664 |
| 5BR | $802,780 | — | — | +5.0% | $160,556 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02136 Compare?
| Metric | 02136 | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $659,162 | $852,655 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.4% | 2.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $2,668 | $3,489 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% | 3.1% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02136 (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 | $659,162 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,668 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.9% |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -3.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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 02136
Population: 38,071
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 02136
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Avery
Dedham High
Dedham Middle School
Greenlodge
Haley Pilot 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 1,052 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston, MA a good place for real estate investing?
Boston, MA stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $659K and average rents around $2,668/mo. That combination puts it in the healthy tier for investor interest.
How strong are rents in Boston, MA?
The typical rental in Boston, MA commands about $2,668/mo monthly. That rent profile reliable cash flow against the $659K purchase basis.
What investment strategy works best in 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.
Is Boston, MA good for house hacking?
The house hack math a challenging in Boston, MA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,668/mo rents and $659K home values.
What are vacancy rates like in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MA rental market.
You know 02136 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02136 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 02136 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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