Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston, MA
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Boston are West Street-River Street, Dudley-Brunswick King, and Sav-Mor. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Boston, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of December 28, 2025, the average rent in Boston is $3,411, which is 0.7% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.
West Street-River Street
Average Rent
$1,973/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
3.7%
TransitScore® Rating
56/100
Units Available
23 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Boston neighborhood on a budget, check out West Street-River Street. The average rent is $1,973, compared to the city average of $3,411. Rent prices have increased by 3.7%. West Street-River Street is convenient to Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Valley Road Station, and Central Avenue Station. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 60.
Dudley-Brunswick King
Average Rent
$2,145/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.5%
TransitScore® Rating
73/100
Units Available
10 Rentals
Dudley-Brunswick King is an affordable neighborhood in Boston with an average rent price of $2,145. Compare this to the city average of $3,411. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 2.5%. Dudley-Brunswick King provides easy access to Roxbury Heritage State Park, Washington Park Shopping Mall, and Jackson Square Station. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 81.
Sav-Mor
Average Rent
$2,199/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.2%
TransitScore® Rating
78/100
Units Available
24 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Boston, Sav-Mor might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,199, while the city’s average stands at $3,411. In the last year, prices have increased by 2.2%. Sav-Mor is near Washington Park Shopping Mall, The Mecca at Grove Hall, and Franklin Park Zoo.
Southern Mattapan
Average Rent
$2,213/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
3.2%
TransitScore® Rating
65/100
Units Available
17 Rentals
Southern Mattapan is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Southern Mattapan is $2,213 while the city average is $3,411. This is a 3.2% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Valley Road Station, Central Avenue Station, and The Riverway. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 69.
Moreland Street Historic District
Average Rent
$2,249/Month
TransitScore® Rating
82/100
Units Available
27 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Boston neighborhood on a budget, check out Moreland Street Historic District. The average rent is $2,249, compared to the city average of $3,411. Moreland Street Historic District is convenient to Massachusetts Ave Station (Orange Line), Roxbury Heritage State Park, and Andrew Station. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 76.
Washington Park
Average Rent
$2,312/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.5%
TransitScore® Rating
76/100
Units Available
43 Rentals
Washington Park is an affordable neighborhood in Boston with an average rent price of $2,312. Compare this to the city average of $3,411. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.5%. Washington Park provides easy access to Heath Street Station, Wentworth Inst. of Technology, and Roxbury Heritage State Park. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 77.
Stony Brook-Cleary Square
Average Rent
$2,338/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.5%
TransitScore® Rating
59/100
Units Available
14 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Boston, Stony Brook-Cleary Square might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,338, while the city’s average stands at $3,411. In the last year, prices have increased by 0.5%. Stony Brook-Cleary Square is near MCPHS University, Boston, Massasoit C.C., Canton Campus, and Forest Hills Station.
Eagle Hill
Average Rent
$2,358/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
6.1%
TransitScore® Rating
70/100
Units Available
32 Rentals
Eagle Hill is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Eagle Hill is $2,358 while the city average is $3,411. This is a -6.1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Boston African American National Historic Site, Museum of Science, and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 88.
Lower East Mills-Cedar Grove
Average Rent
$2,451/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.7%
TransitScore® Rating
58/100
Units Available
10 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Boston neighborhood on a budget, check out Lower East Mills-Cedar Grove. The average rent is $2,451, compared to the city average of $3,411. Rent prices have increased by 2.7%. Lower East Mills-Cedar Grove is convenient to Butler Station, Northeastern University, and Squantum Point Park. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 65.
West Codman Hill-West Lower Mills
Average Rent
$2,490/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.3%
TransitScore® Rating
67/100
Units Available
14 Rentals
West Codman Hill-West Lower Mills is an affordable neighborhood in Boston with an average rent price of $2,490. Compare this to the city average of $3,411. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.3%. West Codman Hill-West Lower Mills provides easy access to Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Wentworth Inst. of Technology, and Morton Plaza. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 74.
Ready to make your move to Boston? Check out the rent specials, price drops, and great deals on ApartmentFinder.com!
Methodology
Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.
We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.