Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02215)

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

Suffolk County • Population: 24,054 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02215 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Boston, MA (02215)?

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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 $702,388
Avg Monthly Rent $3,414
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,138
% Renters 91.4%

Market Analysis: 02215 Boston

The 02215 ZIP in Boston, MA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $702K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $3,414/mo on a $702K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 02215 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within MA, ZIP 02215 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Suffolk County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

A impressive renter share of 91% in 02215 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 02215 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $702K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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: 50/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 11× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,414/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 02215

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+1.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$314,501/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $584,092 $3,220 4.0% +1.4% $584,092
2BR $882,920 $3,820 3.1% +0.5% $441,460
3BR $943,504 $4,580 3.5% -2.1% $314,501

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$767K$665K$564K$462K$360K$258KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,680$3,345$3,010$2,675$2,340$2,004Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02215 Compare?

Metric 02215 Boston Massachusetts
Home Value $702,388 $852,655 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 1.6% 2.0% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,414 $3,489 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02215? Click to expand

91% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02215 (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
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $702,388
Monthly Rent $3,414
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 5.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +16.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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.

Vacancy
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02215

Population: 24,054

💰 Median Household Income
$64,138
This area
$64,138
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
91.4%
This area
91.4%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
83.8%
This area
83.8%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
21.9 years
This area
21.9 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 60.3%
Asian 20.8%
Other/Mixed 12.1%
Black/African American 7.0%
Hispanic/Latino 6.6%
👶 Under 18
2.5%
This area
2.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
3.2%
This area
3.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
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 02215

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
9.5:1 Avg Class Size
$38,016 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Boston Arts Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
473 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A Very Good

MATCH Charter Public School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
1,185 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,638 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

Blackstone Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 380 Shawmut Avenue, Boston
👥
581 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cambridge Street Upper School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 840 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$53,724 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School
📍 36 Winthrop St, Roxbury
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ellis Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 302 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury
👥
340 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 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 355 Off-Campus Students
A
Boston University
36,624 students · 0.4 mi
C+
Emmanuel College
2,059 students · 0.5 mi
C+
Simmons University
5,053 students · 0.6 mi
B
Berklee College of Music
8,448 students · 0.7 mi
C+
MCPHS University
6,321 students · 0.7 mi
C+
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
1,986 students · 0.8 mi
C+
Wentworth Institute of Technology
4,018 students · 0.8 mi
D
New England College of Optometry
529 students · 0.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA home values average about $702K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $3,414/mo in monthly income.

Is Boston, MA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Boston, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($702K prices, $3,414/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How tight is the rental market in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $3,414/mo.

Is house hacking profitable in Boston, MA?

House hacking in Boston, MA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $702K and rents of $3,414/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How landlord-friendly is Boston, MA?

Landlord-friendliness in Boston, MA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

You know 02215 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02215 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.

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How 02215 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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