Looking to save money on rent? Move one stop.
In a tough rental market like Boston’s, renters are looking to get the most for their money, and living close to a T station can be crucial to navigating life here.
A whopping 93% of T stations saw an increase in rent for two-bedroom apartments between the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, according to a study by RentHop, an online marketplace, published in April.
RentHop included 125 stops in its study, using data from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and listings for unfurnished two-bedroom apartments that were on the site between January 15 and April 15. Listings within 0.62 miles of an MBTA station were included only if there were at least 20 different data points. If not, the researchers expanded the field to within 1.2 miles of the T station.
In the first quarter of 2023, Boston’s average rent jumped 6.7% year-over-year, according to the study, and traveling to an additional T station can save a price difference of up to $1,000 in some cases.
The largest price discrepancy was between the Copley parking lots ($4,929)🟢 and the Hynes Convention Center ($3,800)🟢, saving $1,129. To save $1,008, choose Massachusetts Ave ($3,800)🟠 instead of Back Bay ($4,808)🟠. Skipping Copley ($4,929)🟢 to Prudential ($4,050)🟢 could save $879.
The difference between Kendall/MIT ($4,268) 🔴 and Central ($3,400) 🔴 is $868. Renting near JFK/UMass ($2,675) 🔴 Instead of Andrew ($3,475) 🔴 Could mean an extra $800 in your pocket. You can save $700 by renting near Andrew ($3,475) 🔴 instead of Broadway ($4,175) 🔴.
You can cut your costs and save $500 when you stay on the Blue Line to Maverick ($3,050)🔵 instead of getting off at the Aquarium ($3,550)🔵.
Two-bedroom rentals near these T stores saw the largest increase in average asking price in Q1 2023:
| stop t | price | Year after year ⬆ |
|---|---|---|
| The tank🟠🟢 | $2850 | 15.74% |
| Caution 🟢 | $4,050 | 15.71% |
| Haymarket 🟠🟢 | $3500 | 15.7% |
| Englewood Street 🟢 | $2,825 | 15.31% |
| The state 🟠🔵 | $3900 | 14.71% |
These five T stations had the highest average asking rents for two-bedroom apartments:
| stop t | price | Year after year ⬆ |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington 🟢 | $4,964 | 10.28% |
| Copley 🟢 | $4,929 | 9.53% |
| Return Bay 🟠 | $4,808 | 11.23% |
| Chinatown 🟠⚪ | $4500 | 2.27% |
| Tufts Medical Center 🟠 | $4500 | 1.12% |
These five stations saw the largest declines in average asking rents for two-bedroom apartments in the first quarter of 2023:
| stop t | price | Year after year ⬇ |
|---|---|---|
| South Station 🔴⚪ | $4,435 | -6.27% |
| Forest Hills 🟠 | $2650 | -3.64% |
| Newton Heights 🟢 | $2,250 | -2.17% |
| Broadway 🔴 | $4,175 | -1.76% |
| Roxbury Crossing 🟠 | $2950 | -1.67% |
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