🏙️

Boston

5 min to Boston
"Where history meets innovation and parking costs $400/month"
Median Price
$1,800,000
$850/sqft
School Rating
8/10
Great
Appreciation
4.8%
per year
Commute
5 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Boston typically require jumbo financing with stricter underwriting, larger down payments (20–25%+), and higher reserve requirements.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

The Vibe

Urban hustle, historic charm, and tech boom energy

What It's Really Like

Historic urban center with world-class amenities, cultural attractions, and prime real estate. School rating (8.0) is district average including elite exam schools like Boston Latin (#1 in MA), but admission is test-based and competitive—most neighborhood schools are rated lower.

Best For

  • Urban professionals
  • Luxury buyers
  • Cultural enthusiasts
  • Investment properties

Avoid If

  • You need space
  • You hate noise
  • You want parking
  • You have a car
  • You need guaranteed access to top-rated schools (8.0 rating includes elite exam schools with selective admission)

🌟Highlights

🚇Best transit access in New England
🏛️History on every corner
🍽️World-class dining scene
🎭Cultural institutions everywhere
⚠️Elite exam schools exist (Boston Latin #1 in MA) but admission is selective—not guaranteed by address

Insider Tips

  • 💡Back Bay = luxury, Beacon Hill = historic, South End = hip
  • 💡Seaport is all new construction and corporate
  • 💡School quality varies dramatically: Boston Latin (1355 SAT) requires entrance exam, neighborhood schools often rated 5-6/10. Research specific school assignments carefully
  • 💡Many families use private schools or move to suburbs when kids reach school age

Demographics

Population
692,000
Median Age
32
Median Income
$71,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work
16.1%
work from home
Professional Workers
55.3%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
89.6%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
31 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
47.5%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
34.8%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
17.5%
below poverty line
Unemployment
6.6%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$685K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
187
Churches
160
Synagogues
16
Mosques
11
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 46/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 163065 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1928
98 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
9.2%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
15%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$3,500
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Boston has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (9.2%). Insurance premiums may be significantly higher ($2,800-$4,000+/year) and some carriers may decline coverage. Budget for potential remediation costs (knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, lead paint).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$900,000$1,800,000$3,600,000

Leave blank to use town median (1928)

Annual Premium
$3,325
$277/month
vs. State Average
+66%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
VERY HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$99,750

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.2% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $1,714 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $51,420 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

  • Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
  • Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
  • Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
  • Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
  • Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
  • Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
  • Complete full home inspection and address major issues
  • Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage
  • Shop quotes from 5-6 carriers (rates vary significantly)
  • Ask about claims-free discount (5-year history)

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.

Construction Era Distribution

2020+
2,800 units
2010-2019
5.4%
15,400 units
2000-2009
8.6%
24,500 units
1990-1999
10%
28,600 units
1980-1989
11.3%
32,400 units
1970-1979
13.5%
38,500 units
1960-1969
15%
42,800 units
1950-1959
16.2%
46,200 units
1940-1949
10%
28,500 units
Pre-1940
9.2%
26,300 units
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