Greater Boston’s rental landscape continues to organize into three clear tiers that align with job access, transit, and amenity density. At the top end for 2–3 bedroom units, Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline hold pricing leadership. A strong second ring—Somerville, Newton, Watertown, Waltham—sits below the core but remains firm, supported by transit access and diverse housing stock. Finally, value corridors—Malden, Medford, Quincy, Chelsea, Revere—provide the most approachable price points, absorbing price-sensitive renters and right-sizers who prioritize budget and space.
Overall, 1–2BR units anchor velocity across towns; 3–4BR inventory commands a distinct premium in inner-core and close-in markets. In the YTD (Q1–Q3 2025) view, these relationships are intact: core markets keep the highest 2BR averages, second-ring towns remain steady, and value corridors continue to attract spillover demand from renters trading an extra transit link for meaningful monthly savings.
Figure 1. Avg Rent for 2–3 Bedroom (Q1–Q3) — selected towns. Source: MLS YTD dataset (Q1–Q3 2023–2025).
What the Market-Wide Chart Shows
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Core strength persists. Brookline, Cambridge, and Boston remain in the highest band for 2–3BRs over the past three years, reflecting durable demand near job/education hubs and amenity clusters.
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Second ring stays balanced. Somerville, Watertown, Waltham, Needham, Newton track below the top band yet maintain firm pricing, consistent with strong commuter access and neighborhood services.
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Value corridors remain essential. Malden, Revere, Chelsea, Quincy continue to post more approachable 2–3BR averages, supporting absorption for budget-driven moves.
Boston by ZIP: Micro-Market Variation Matters
Citywide averages hide large ZIP-level differences. Waterfront/downtown ZIPs sit at the top of the range, historic core/near-core ZIPs form the middle, and outer-Boston ZIPs capture the best in-city value while preserving practical commutes.
Figure 2. Avg Boston Rent for 2–3 Bedroom (Q1–Q3) by ZIP. Source: MLS Boston ZIP panel (2023–2025).
Neighborhood Focus: Jamaica Plain (02130)
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1BR: ~$2,813
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2BR: ~$3,121
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3BR: ~$4,511
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4BR: ~$4,271
Neighborhood Focus: Roslindale (02131)
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1BR: ~$1,875
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2BR: ~$2,924
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3BR: ~$3,361
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4BR: ~$4,042
Key Takeaways
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Tiered market remains intact. Core towns (Boston, Cambridge, Brookline) lead 2–3BR pricing; Somerville, Newton, Watertown, Waltham form a stable second band; Malden, Medford, Quincy, Chelsea, Revere provide essential affordability.
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ZIP choice inside Boston is decisive. Waterfront/downtown ZIPs carry the highest premiums; near-core ZIPs vary with stock and block-level attributes; outer-Boston ZIPs offer the best in-city value with workable commutes.
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Neighborhoods: Jamaica Plain prices above the value corridor and below the most premium Boston ZIPs; Roslindale offers a lower 2BR band with strong livability, both supported by transit and local amenities.
