Real Estate Investing in Arlington, Massachusetts (02474)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 28,283 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02474 (Arlington, 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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Arlington, MA (02474)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,075,280
Avg Monthly Rent $3,019
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $134,169
% Renters 41.0%

Market Analysis: 02474 Arlington

In practical terms, ZIP 02474 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $1.1M median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 02474 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 02474 among MA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 02474 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 02474, 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 Arlington:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,019/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 02474

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+5.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$305,788/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $399,032 $2,610 4.7% +4.0% $399,032
2BR $742,493 $3,100 3.0% +4.7% $371,246
3BR $1,071,334 $3,720 2.5% +5.6% $357,111
4BR $1,293,348 $4,100 2.3% +5.7% $323,337
5BR $1,528,939 +5.6% $305,788

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.1M$992K$837K$682K$526K$371KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,122$2,824$2,525$2,226$1,928$1,629Apr 2016Jun 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02474 Compare?

Metric 02474 Arlington Massachusetts
Home Value $1,075,280 $1,090,378 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 4.8% 5.1% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,019 $3,000 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02474? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 41% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02474 (Arlington, 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
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,075,280
Monthly Rent $3,019
Price-to-Rent 29.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 7.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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.

Vacancy
5.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02474

Population: 28,283

💰 Median Household Income
$134,169
This area
$134,169
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
41.0%
This area
41.0%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
73.9%
This area
73.9%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.5 years
This area
38.5 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.4%
Asian 13.4%
Other/Mixed 7.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Black/African American 2.5%
👶 Under 18
21.6%
This area
21.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.6%
This area
14.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
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 02474

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.9:1 Avg Class Size
$36,380 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hardy

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
383 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$36,380 Per Student
A+ Excellent

John A Bishop

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
391 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$36,380 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gibbs School

📚 Grade 06 Middle
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$36,380 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Thompson

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$36,380 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Daniel Butler

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 90 White Street, Belmont
👥
321 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$58,674 Per Student
A+ Excellent

John J. McGlynn Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 3004 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford
👥
432 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,811 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lynch Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 10 Brantwood Road, Winchester
👥
425 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$25,181 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Madeleine Dugger Andrews

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 3000 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford
👥
452 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$26,811 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Missituk Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 37 Hicks Avenue, Medford
👥
437 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,811 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
D
Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics and Massage Therapy
370 students · 1.6 mi
A
Tufts University
13,274 students · 2.1 mi
D
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
195 students · 2.4 mi
C
Longy School of Music of Bard College
318 students · 3.4 mi
C
Lesley University
3,134 students · 3.4 mi
A
Harvard University
30,386 students · 3.7 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Malden
101 students · 4.1 mi
B
Bentley University
5,264 students · 4.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Arlington, MA?

Typical homes in Arlington, MA go for around $1.1M. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% even-keeled price movement.

What kind of tenants rent in Arlington, MA?

Tenant quality in Arlington, MA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $3,019/mo.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Arlington, MA?

Arlington, MA offers a tougher house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $3,019/mo rent level.

What is the typical rental rate in Arlington, MA?

The typical rental in Arlington, MA commands about $3,019/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $1.1M purchase basis.

What kind of market is Arlington, MA for investors?

Our data puts Arlington, MA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $1.1M and rents around $3,019/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

You know 02474 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02474 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 02474 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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