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Aerial view of Boston's skyline.

Best Places to Rent a Home in Boston

Thinking about living in Boston? Despite its high cost of living, Beantown is still one of the best places to live on the East Coast thanks to its rich history, convenient public transit, exciting activities, and more. Check out the five best neighborhoods to rent a home in Boston!

Back Bay-Beacon Hill

  • Home Price: $1,738 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 38% of Boston neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 66%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

Looking for historic East Coast charm in your Boston rental? Consider living in the Back Bay-Beacon Hill neighborhood! You’ll find plenty of character through this area’s lamp-lined, cobblestone streets, with historic Brownstones, Victorian, Federal, and Greek Revival homes perfect for renters. Boston residents in this area live near the country’s first-ever botanical garden open to the public, Public Garden! You’ll also have access to the Charles River Esplanade, a three-mile expanse of green space along the Charles River. And as a popular area for art and culture, there are plenty of fun annual festivals throughout the year, like the Annual Festival of Boston at Boston Common.

Things to Do in Back Bay-Beacon Hill

Indulge in retail therapy with shops like Burberry, Chanel, Cartier, and more stores on Newbury Street. Immerse yourself in a unique exploration of art and film, like stepping into your favorite Disney films, with a trip to Lighthouse ArtSpace Boston. Tour one of the oldest buildings on Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts State House. Learn about early African American culture, the Black Heritage Trails, and more untold history at the Museum of African American History. Sample traditional French fare like Watermelon Gazpacho, a Croque Madame breakfast sandwich, or Chocolate Mousse at Cafe Sauvage. Enjoy classic American dishes with an upscale twist like Chicken la Mirage, Calamari Fritti, or a Club Cafe burger at Club Cafe. Spend a date night in Boston sharing plates like Roasted Beets Salad, Cod Fillet, Veal Chop, or Vegan Lentil Cake at Ma Maison. Or end the night with Classic Creme Brulee, a Warm Strawberry Rhubarb Tart, and Lemon Coconut Sorbet at the French-Mediterranean bistro Mistral.

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Charlestown

  • Home Price: $1,426 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Boston neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 57%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

Moving to Boston with your family? Make sure to check out rentals in Charlestown! Located between the Charles River and Mystic River, Charlestown is one of the best places to rent in Boston. You can expect to find modern apartments, historic Brownstones, affordable townhomes, and more at budget-friendly prices. This neighborhood’s rich history is a major draw for residents—from Irish pubs to the oldest commissioned floating warship, you can appreciate the heavy Irish and Naval influences while living in Charlestown. As the oldest neighborhood in Boston, there’s history everywhere you look—including museums, classic Boston architecture, and Freedom Trail landmarks. Plus, with its own Main Street and Town Square, Charlestown feels more like a small New England town rather than a Boston neighborhood!

Things to Do in Charlestown

Learn about Boston’s history, like the Battle of Bunker Hill, with a visit to the Bunker Hill Museum. Attend events like the Kite Building workshops, or Sailor Speaks talks at the USS Constitution Museum. Take your family ice skating at Emmons Horrigan O’Neil Memorial Rink. Enjoy beautiful water views while sailing out along the Charlestown Marina. Start your day with a Madagascar Vanilla Latte, Honey Bee Lavender Latte, or a Raspberry Lemonade at Tradesman Coffee Shop & Pizza Bar. Get your Peruvian fare fix with Pan con Chicharron, Butifarra, or Ceviche Mixto from Peruvian Taste Restaurant. Experiment with Spicy Clam, Freebird, or Figgie Smalls pizza from Brewer’s Fork. Or savor Boston classics like New England Clam Chowder, Steak Tips, and Pretzel Sticks at the historic Warren Tavern—where famous historic figures like George Washington and Paul Revere once ate and drank!

East Boston

  • Home Price: $1,107 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of Boston neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 71%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

If you’re looking for affordable rentals in Boston with views of both the city skyline and the Boston Harbor, look no further than East Boston. Eastie is a great neighborhood to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center while still having an easy commute to Downtown Boston via I-90 and the MBTA Blue Line. This vibrant neighborhood offers a wide variety of local restaurants, access to Massachusetts Bay, and well-kept parks like LoPresti Park and East Boston Memorial Park. And with the Boston Logan International Airport located on its southern end, this Boston neighborhood provides a convenient option for those who love to travel!

Things to Do in East Boston

Surround yourself with birdsong while hiking through the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Go for a swim or play a round of tennis at Constitution Beach Park. Walk along the sprawling pedestrian promenade while taking in views of Downtown Boston, or have a picnic on the waterfront at Piers Park. Explore rotating exhibits from local artists at ICA Watershed for a free thing to do in Boston in the summer. Try dishes like the Cheeseburger Pie, Shipyard Fish and Chips, or a Rice and Corn Salad from Seabiscuit. Order a Salmon Sushi Burrito, Shrimp Tempura Scallion Wrap, or a Poke Bowl from Sunny Cafe. Taste authentic Mexican flavors like Beef Nachos, Huevos con Chorizo, or a Lengua Burrito Supreme at Mi Pueblito Orient Heights. Or pick up classic Italian dishes like homemade Ravioli, Manicotti with Meatballs, or Fettuccine Alfredo at Spinelli’s Pasta & Pastry Shop.

Fenway-Kenmore

  • Home Price: $1,489 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Boston neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 92%
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals

If you’re looking for high-rise apartments, modern amenities, and affordable rentals in Boston, consider moving to the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. Home to Fenway Park, Boston University, Northeastern University, and Symphony Hall, Fenway-Kenmore is a lively neighborhood and a great place for renters! This area is especially popular among students and young professionals, with most residents falling under the age of 34. This Boston neighborhood is also great for commuters, with great public transit on the MBTA Subway, highly walkable and bikeable areas, and tons of green space and gardens amid the business of Kenmore Square and Lansdowne Street.

Things to Do in Fenway-Kenmore

Stop and smell over 1,500 kinds of roses at the Kelleher Rose Garden. Catch touring acts like Hippie Sabotage, Hayley Kiyoko, or Bebe Rexha at Citizens House of Blues Boston. Spend a day exploring exhibitions like Dutch and Flemish Art, Art of Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine Empire, and more at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Head to Fenway Park to cheer on the Red Sox (MLB) at their home stadium! Munch on Avocado Toast, Classic Bop Benny, or Banana-Berry Bebop French Toast during weekend brunch at The Bebop. Slurp up homemade noodles in dishes like Sukiyaki Udon, Miso Carbonara Udon, or Kamo Nanban Udon at Futago Udon. Spend weekends playing games while eating Loaded Tots, Bangers & Mash, or a Kenmore Burger at the neighborhood British Pub Cornwall’s. Or make a late-night stop for Boston Creme, Apple Fritter, Buttercrunch Donuts, and more at nightlife hot spot Back Door Donuts!


Jamaica Plain

  • Home Price: $1,343 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of Boston neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 66%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

Looking for a diverse neighborhood in Boston? Jamaica Plain, also known as JP, brings together people from different walks of life with family-friendly activities, expansive nightlife, and an active LGBTQ community. Many residents spend time around Centre Street, as it boasts lots of local shops, restaurants, and more. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy provides expansive green space to Boston residents, with a chain of parks stretching more than seven miles! JP is great for commuters, with some of the best bike paths in Boston offering quick access to amenities throughout the neighborhood and to Downtown Boston. Plus, Jamaica Plain rentals are affordable, and Victorian architecture brings lots of character to this Boston neighborhood.

Things to Do in Jamaica Plain

Partake in year-round fun like sledding, birdwatching, or sailboating at Jamaica Pond. Spot local wildlife, bike on the pathways, or take your dog for a walk at Olmsted Park. Enjoy Boston’s weather while exploring the beauty of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, featuring more than 16,000 plants. Attend weekly events or learn about the brewing process on a tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery. Sample American fare like Seared Tuna Steak, Potato Croquettes, or Baby Back Ribs at Vee Vee. Share an order of Baked Brie, Buffalo Cauliflower, or Housemade Warm Foccacia during an intimate date night at Ten Tables. Order Veggie Curry, Scottish Salmon, or Shepherd’s Pie at The Haven. Or end the night with a Raspberry Mango Sundae, Greek Yogurt Blueberry Danish, or Fruity Pebbles Cereal Milk ice cream at J.P. Licks.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes