Real Estate Investing in Somerville, Massachusetts (02143)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02143 (Somerville, 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 Somerville, MA (02143)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02143 Somerville
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Somerville's 02143 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $948K pricing implies.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $948K asset, 02143 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Nearby ZIPs in Somerville have seen price recovery that 02143 has not matched. Middlesex County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Who lives in 02143 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
New investors are better served looking at Somerville's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 02143. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Somerville:
Property Strategy for 02143
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $600,867 | $2,920 | 3.5% | +2.4% | $600,867 |
| 2BR | $829,123 | $3,470 | 3.0% | +2.9% | $414,562 |
| 3BR | $1,094,099 | $4,160 | 2.7% | +3.2% | $364,700 |
| 4BR | $1,307,965 | $4,590 | 2.5% | +3.1% | $326,991 |
| 5BR | $1,472,426 | — | — | +4.7% | $294,485 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02143 Compare?
| Metric | 02143 | Somerville | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $948,342 | $948,154 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.7% | 2.5% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,365 | $3,517 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% | 2.9% | - |
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 02143 (Somerville, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Middlesex County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Green Ocean Property Management offers investment property management and condo association management services in Boston and surrounding areas like Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, and Quincy. summary from their website
McDonough Property Management offers full-service property management and HOA management in the Greater Boston Area, covering maintenance, inspections, legal compliance, and communication. summary from their website
New England Property Management & Maintenance offers property management for multi/single-family homes, apartments, rental properties, and condo associations in Brookline, MA and Cambridge, MA. 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 | $948,342 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,365 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +9.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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 02143
Population: 25,161
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 02143
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Amigos School
Cambridge Street Upper School
Charlestown High School
Gardner Pilot Academy
Harvard-Kent Elementary 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 3,776 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the investability score for Somerville, MA?
Somerville, MA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $948K and rents near $3,365/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
How much do tenants pay in Somerville, MA?
Rental rates in Somerville, MA average $3,365/mo. Tenant demand and $948K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Do rentals sit vacant long in Somerville, MA?
Somerville, MA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MA rental market.
Are eviction rules reasonable in Somerville, MA?
The landlord environment in Somerville, MA is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
How much does a house cost in Somerville, MA?
Somerville, MA median home values land near $948K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $3,365/mo-per-month rentals.
You know 02143 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 02143 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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