Back Bay, Boston, MA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 20, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Back Bay is $4,856, a 2.89% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $4,719.
Studio Apartments at $3,474 offer the most budget-friendly option with 514 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 731 square feet for $4,186, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $5,888 offer 1,135 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,523 sq ft) for $8,651, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Back Bay, Boston, MA
Last updated: February 20, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $4,856 | 870 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $3,474 | 514 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $4,186 | 731 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $5,888 | 1,135 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $8,651 | 1,523 sq. ft. |
Back Bay, Boston, MA rent trends
Rental prices in Back Bay, Boston, MA have increased by 2.89% over the past year. The average rent moved from $4,719 to $4,856.
What's the typical rent budget in Back Bay, Boston, MA?
The largest share of rentals in Back Bay, Boston, MA (97%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Back Bay, Boston, MA?
5,630 or 72% of the households in Back Bay, Boston, MA are renter-occupied while 2,176 or 28% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Back Bay?
Mattapan $2,283/month
Roxbury $2,498/month
Beacon Hill $2,600/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,690/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Back Bay?
South Boston $4,249/month
Downtown - Financial District $4,340/month
Back Bay $4,856/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Boston, MA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Back Bay | $4,856 |
| Downtown - Financial District | $4,340 |
| South Boston | $4,249 |
| West End Boston | $4,081 |
| Chinatown - Leather District | $4,031 |
| Fenway - Kenmore | $3,992 |
| South End Boston | $3,943 |
| Charlestown | $3,462 |
| Allston - Brighton | $3,344 |
| Jamaica Plain | $3,181 |
| East Boston | $3,149 |
| Dorchester | $3,064 |
| Mission Hill | $3,008 |
| Roslindale | $2,879 |
| West Roxbury | $2,646 |
| Beacon Hill | $2,600 |
| Roxbury | $2,498 |
| Mattapan | $2,283 |
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Boston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Back Bay is 45% higher than in Allston - Brighton
$4,856
Back Bay rent is the same as Boston average
Average Rent
$4,856
$3,344
Allston - Brighton rent is 31% lower than Boston average
Average Rent
$3,344
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Back Bay apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.