Real Estate Investing in Newton, Massachusetts (02461)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 6,717 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02461 (Newton, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Newton, MA (02461)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,533,380
Avg Monthly Rent $4,207
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $191,711
% Renters 23.2%

Market Analysis: 02461 Newton

Looking more closely, ZIP 02461 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $1.5M median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 02461 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.5M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader MA picture, 02461 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A notable renter share of 23% in 02461 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 02461 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Newton:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $4,207/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 02461

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$410,733/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $919,864 $4,350 3.4% +4.5% $459,932
3BR $1,277,439 $5,220 2.9% +6.6% $425,813
4BR $1,642,931 $5,760 2.5% +6.4% $410,733
5BR $2,085,596 +6.9% $417,119

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.6M$1.4M$1.2M$999K$786K$573KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,269$4,141$4,014$3,886$3,758$3,631Oct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02461 Compare?

Metric 02461 Newton Massachusetts
Home Value $1,533,380 $1,491,074 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.8% 7.0%
Avg Rent $4,207 $3,765 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 02461? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 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 02461 (Newton, 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

HOA
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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

HOA
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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

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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
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,533,380
Monthly Rent $4,207
Price-to-Rent 30.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
8.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02461

Population: 6,717

💰 Median Household Income
$191,711
This area
$191,711
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
86.8%
This area
86.8%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.7 years
This area
44.7 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.9%
Asian 18.2%
Other/Mixed 7.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
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 02461

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.6:1 Avg Class Size
$30,860 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Countryside

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
360 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

A E Angier

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1697 Beacon Street, Waban
👥
384 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bigelow Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 42 Vernon St, Newton
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bowen

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 280 Cypress Street, Newton Centre
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

C C Burr

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 171 Pine Street, Auburndale
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Charles E Brown Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 125 Meadowbrook Rd, Newton Centre
👥
732 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,860 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 1,640 Off-Campus Students
C
William James College
951 students · 1.5 mi
D
Hebrew College
177 students · 2.1 mi
B+
Boston College
15,280 students · 2.4 mi
C
Lasell University
1,527 students · 2.5 mi
C
Massachusetts Bay Community College
3,973 students · 2.8 mi
C+
Saint John's Seminary
120 students · 3.0 mi
B+
Babson College
3,943 students · 3.1 mi
B+
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
402 students · 3.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,640 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Newton, MA for real estate investors?

Newton, MA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $1.5M and rents near $4,207/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Newton, MA?

Occupancy in Newton, MA runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $4,207/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the average home sale price in Newton, MA?

Expect median prices around $1.5M in Newton, MA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

Does Newton, MA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Newton, MA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How much is rent in Newton, MA?

Newton, MA rentals go for roughly $4,207/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $1.5M acquisition costs.

You know 02461 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02461 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 02461 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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