Real Estate Investing in Brookline, Massachusetts (02446)

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

Norfolk County • Population: 31,109 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02446 (Brookline, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (31/100)

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
3 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.4% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Brookline, MA (02446)?

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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 $1,068,489
Avg Monthly Rent $3,560
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $116,644
% Renters 63.9%

Market Analysis: 02446 Brookline

This part of Norfolk County is not an easy win. The 02446 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 02446 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $1.1M reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 02446 sits on the difficult end of the MA spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 02446 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 02446, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Brookline:

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 9.2× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,560/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 02446

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+4.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$459,281/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $630,448 $3,580 4.1% +0.7% $630,448
2BR $919,458 $4,250 3.3% +1.4% $459,729
3BR $1,377,842 $5,100 2.7% +3.3% $459,281
4BR $1,952,326 $5,630 2.1% +4.1% $488,082
5BR $2,787,630 +4.1% $557,526

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.2M$1.1M$913K$773K$634K$494KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,503$4,071$3,638$3,205$2,772$2,339Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02446 Compare?

Metric 02446 Brookline Massachusetts
Home Value $1,068,489 $1,209,327 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 1.4% 3.3% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,560 $3,630 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 02446? Click to expand

64% 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 02446 (Brookline, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Norfolk County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Old Colony Property Services is a condominium and HOA property management company serving the Old Colony area of Southeastern Massachusetts, including Canton, Easton, Brockton, and Bridgewater. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Bellevue Property Management is a home rental and property management company servicing Boston Metrowest, including Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, and Holliston. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

The Triad Group is a real estate and development company specializing in taking development projects from vision to reality across the United States and globally. summary from their website

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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
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.4%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,068,489
Monthly Rent $3,560
Price-to-Rent 25.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 3.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
6.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02446

Population: 31,109

💰 Median Household Income
$116,644
This area
$116,644
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
63.9%
This area
63.9%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
84.5%
This area
84.5%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.3 years
This area
33.3 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.5%
Asian 19.1%
Other/Mixed 9.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
Black/African American 2.8%
👶 Under 18
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
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 02446

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.0:1 Avg Class Size
$60,665 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Lawrence

📚 K – 08 School
👥
615 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Michael Driscoll

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
510 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Pierce

📚 K – 08 School
👥
668 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Florida Ruffin Ridley School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
852 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 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

Brighton High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 25 Warren Street, Brighton
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 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
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 1,369 Off-Campus Students
C
Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc
169 students · 0.7 mi
A
Boston University
36,624 students · 0.9 mi
C+
Emmanuel College
2,059 students · 0.9 mi
C+
MCPHS University
6,321 students · 1.1 mi
C+
Simmons University
5,053 students · 1.2 mi
C+
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
1,986 students · 1.2 mi
C+
Wentworth Institute of Technology
4,018 students · 1.4 mi
C
Roxbury Community College
1,631 students · 1.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,369 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical home price in Brookline, MA?

Expect median prices around $1.1M in Brookline, MA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

Is Brookline in MA worth investing in?

Yes - Brookline, MA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $1.1M home prices against $3,560/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Brookline, MA?

The renter base in Brookline, MA is reasonable for the $3,560/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

Is Brookline, MA good for landlords?

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

Is Brookline, MA suited for a house hack?

House hacking in Brookline, MA is a tougher. With home values around $1.1M and rents at $3,560/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 02446 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 02446 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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