BPN

🏙️

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 1630• 65 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1928
97 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
Loading transit information...

Resources & Research

School Information

Boston Area School Rankings →

Compare 48 high schools by SAT scores, MCAS proficiency & college enrollment

Market Analysis

Rent vs Buy Analysis 2025 →

Break-even math, SALT cap impacts & decision framework for Boston buyers

Insurance & Risk

MA Insurance Crisis Guide →

Why coastal & historic homes face coverage denials (+ FAIR Plan rules)

Home Buying Terms

Real Estate Glossary →

200+ terms explained: ARM, DTI, PMI, escrow, cap rate & more

View All Market Guides & Analysis →

Similar Neighborhoods

🎯

Lexington

$1,490,000

"Where the Revolution started and every kid goes to MIT"

🌳

Newton

$1,771,250

"Thirteen villages, one ridiculously good school system"

💎

Wellesley

$1,866,000

"Where every house has a wine cellar and every kid has a tutor"

Ready to Find Your Perfect Property in Boston?

Get instant property analysis and neighborhood comparisons

Discover Your Perfect Boston Town

Popular Neighborhoods

Bedford•Lexington•Newton•Brookline•Winchester•Wellesley•Needham•Arlington•Cambridge•Dover•Weston•Westwood
Investment Analysis
School Research
Risk Assessment
Market Intelligence
Terms|Privacy|Disclaimers|Town Vibes|Contact

© 2025 Boston Property Navigator. All rights reserved.

For informational purposes only. Not professional real estate, financial, or legal advice.