Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Boston, MA

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Boston are West Street-River Street, Sav-Mor, and Stony Brook-Cleary Square. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Boston, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of September 26, 2025, the average rent in Boston is $3,494, which is 1.3% 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

$1,937/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.8%

TransitScore® Rating

56/100

Units Available

16 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Boston, West Street-River Street might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,937, while the city’s average stands at $3,494. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.8%. West Street-River Street is near The Shops at Riverwood, General Edward Lawrence Logan International, and Forest Hills Station.

Sav-Mor

Average Rent

$2,167/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.3%

TransitScore® Rating

78/100

Units Available

22 Rentals

Sav-Mor is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Sav-Mor is $2,167 while the city average is $3,494. This is a 2.3% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Savin Hill Station, Franklin Park Zoo, and Roxbury Heritage State Park. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 78.

Stony Brook-Cleary Square

Average Rent

$2,204/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.3%

TransitScore® Rating

59/100

Units Available

18 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Boston neighborhood on a budget, check out Stony Brook-Cleary Square. The average rent is $2,204, compared to the city average of $3,494. Rent prices have increased by 1.3%. Stony Brook-Cleary Square is convenient to The Shops at Riverwood, Forest Hills Station, and Mass Audubon's Blue Hills Trailside Museum. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 83.

Melville - Wellesley Parks

Average Rent

$2,229/Month

TransitScore® Rating

74/100

Units Available

15 Rentals

Melville - Wellesley Parks is an affordable neighborhood in Boston with an average rent price of $2,229. Compare this to the city average of $3,494. Melville - Wellesley Parks provides easy access to UMass Boston, Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, and Savin Hill Station. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 83.

Washington Park

Average Rent

$2,238/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.7%

TransitScore® Rating

76/100

Units Available

35 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Boston, Washington Park might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,238, while the city’s average stands at $3,494. In the last year, prices have decreased by 0.7%. Washington Park is near Roxbury Crossing Station, MCPHS University, Boston, and Jackson Square Station.

Dudley-Brunswick King

Average Rent

$2,254/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.7%

TransitScore® Rating

73/100

Units Available

22 Rentals

Dudley-Brunswick King is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Dudley-Brunswick King is $2,254 while the city average is $3,494. This is a -1.7% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Northeastern University, The Mecca at Grove Hall, and General Edward Lawrence Logan International. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 81.

Moreland Street Historic District

Average Rent

$2,256/Month

TransitScore® Rating

82/100

Units Available

22 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Boston neighborhood on a budget, check out Moreland Street Historic District. The average rent is $2,256, compared to the city average of $3,494. Moreland Street Historic District is convenient to Dorchester Shores Reservation, Lower Neponset River Trail, and MCPHS University, Boston. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 76.

Fields Corner West

Average Rent

$2,278/Month

TransitScore® Rating

74/100

Units Available

12 Rentals

Fields Corner West is an affordable neighborhood in Boston with an average rent price of $2,278. Compare this to the city average of $3,494. Fields Corner West provides easy access to Savin Hill Station, Cedar Grove Station, and Squantum Point Park. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 84.

Metropolitan Hill-Beech St

Average Rent

$2,291/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

17.8%

TransitScore® Rating

59/100

Units Available

12 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Boston, Metropolitan Hill-Beech St might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,291, while the city’s average stands at $3,494. In the last year, prices have decreased by 17.8%. Metropolitan Hill-Beech St is near Green Street Station, Forest Hills Station, and Hyde Park Plaza.

Southern Mattapan

Average Rent

$2,324/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

8.8%

TransitScore® Rating

65/100

Units Available

15 Rentals

Southern Mattapan is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Southern Mattapan is $2,324 while the city average is $3,494. This is a -8.8% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Morton Plaza, and Curry College. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 69.

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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.