Real Estate Investing in Somerville, Massachusetts (02145)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02145 (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 (02145)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02145 Somerville
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Somerville's 02145 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $841K pricing implies.
For an experienced owner, 02145 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $841K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Nearby ZIPs in Somerville have seen price recovery that 02145 has not matched. Middlesex County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Meanwhile, 27,929 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
New investors are better served looking at Somerville's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 02145. 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 02145
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $538,455 | $2,820 | 3.8% | +2.5% | $538,455 |
| 2BR | $718,612 | $3,350 | 3.4% | +2.1% | $359,306 |
| 3BR | $939,817 | $4,020 | 3.1% | +3.5% | $313,272 |
| 4BR | $1,037,181 | $4,440 | 3.1% | +2.5% | $259,295 |
| 5BR | $1,208,272 | — | — | +3.8% | $241,654 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02145 Compare?
| Metric | 02145 | Somerville | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $840,829 | $948,154 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.6% | 2.5% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,402 | $3,517 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% | 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 02145 (Somerville, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $840,829 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,402 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.9% |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +13.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.4% ▲ |
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 02145
Population: 27,929
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 02145
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
Edgar A Hooks Elementary
Eugene Wright Science and Technology Academy
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
How should investors approach Somerville, MA?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Somerville, MA. The numbers - $841K homes against $3,402/mo rents - support that play.
What monthly rent should investors expect in Somerville, MA?
Expect rents around $3,402/mo per month in Somerville, MA. With home values at $841K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
What is it like being a landlord in Somerville, MA?
Somerville, MA operates under MA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect stable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
How quickly do rentals get leased in Somerville, MA?
Somerville, MA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
How viable is house hacking in Somerville, MA?
House hacking in Somerville, MA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $841K and rents of $3,402/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
You know 02145 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 02145 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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