Real Estate Investing in Belmont, Massachusetts (02478)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02478 (Belmont, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
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.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 37.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Belmont, MA (02478)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02478 Belmont
Stepping back, ZIP 02478 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $1.5M median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.5M asset, 02478 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
The gap between 02478 and stronger Belmont ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
The 02478 ZIP's population of 26,966 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 02478, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Belmont:
Property Strategy for 02478
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $746,318 | $3,340 | 3.2% | +2.6% | $373,159 |
| 3BR | $1,382,439 | $4,000 | 2.1% | +5.8% | $460,813 |
| 4BR | $1,712,197 | $4,420 | 1.9% | +6.1% | $428,049 |
| 5BR | $2,186,446 | — | — | +5.7% | $437,289 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02478 Compare?
| Metric | 02478 | Belmont | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,465,519 | $1,465,519 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.0% | 5.0% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,233 | $3,233 | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% | 1.7% | - |
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 02478 (Belmont, 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
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
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
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,465,519 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,233 |
| Price-to-Rent | 37.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.7% |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +10.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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 02478
Population: 26,966
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 02478
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Cunniff
Hardy
Hosmer
James Russell Lowell
John A Bishop
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What do landlords charge for rent in Belmont, MA?
Rent in Belmont, MA is around $3,233/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $1.5M pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
How tight is the rental market in Belmont, MA?
Vacancy risk in Belmont, MA is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.
How strong is Belmont, MA for real estate investors?
Belmont, MA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $1.5M and rents near $3,233/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Belmont, MA?
MA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Belmont inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
What is the average home sale price in Belmont, MA?
Expect median prices around $1.5M in Belmont, MA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.
You know 02478 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 02478 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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