Is the Boston, MA metro area good for real estate investing?

The Boston, MA metropolitan area has an investment score of 44/100, rated as "Avoid". It ranks #799 nationally among 894 metro areas analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Boston, MA?

The rent-to-price ratio in the Boston, MA metro area is 4.97% annually, which ranks in the 25th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Boston, MA?

The median home price in the Boston, MA metro area is $709,859. The metro area includes 7 counties with prices ranging from the most affordable to more premium markets.

What counties are in the Boston, MA metro area?

The Boston, MA metropolitan area includes 7 counties. Top-rated counties for investing include Strafford, Rockingham, Plymouth. Each county has its own investment profile based on local market conditions.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Boston, MA?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in the Boston, MA metro would generate negative cash flow of $1,811/month. Individual property and county performance varies. Explore the county-level analysis for more specific opportunities.

Metropolitan Area

Boston, MA

Massachusetts07 counties

/100

Avoid

#799 of 894 metros

Top 89% nationally for investing

Market Snapshot

$709,859

Median Home Price

191% above national median

$2,939/mo

Median Rent

112% above national median

4.97%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 75% nationally

-$1,811

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$709,859

Down Payment (20%)$141,972

Loan Amount$567,887

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,939

Monthly P&I-$3,721

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,029

Net Cash Flow-$1,812/mo

3.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-13.3%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.97%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on metro-wide median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Individual counties and properties vary significantly.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

44/100

Cash Flow(30%)

45/100

Based on 4.97% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

65/100

Based on 1.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Based on 0.0% population growth. Growing areas indicate economic stability.

Affordability(20%)

10/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow metro-level home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. This metro score represents area-wide averages; individual counties may vary significantly.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Low unemployment (0.0%)
+Large metro with 7 counties offering diverse opportunities

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.97%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,811/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Counties in Boston, MA

						Verdict
StraffordNH	130,965	52	$504,962	$2,152	5.11%	Hold	View
RockinghamNH	315,169	49	$625,786	$2,605	5.00%	Hold	View
PlymouthMA	529,548	48	$646,462	$2,627	4.88%	Hold	View
SuffolkMA	785,443	43	$767,235	$3,365	5.26%	Avoid	View
EssexMA	806,103	41	$722,835	$2,574	4.27%	Avoid	View
MiddlesexMA	1,623,109	41	$824,308	$3,232	4.70%	Avoid	View
NorfolkMA	722,112	41	$775,861	$2,997	4.64%	Avoid	View

Click any county to see detailed investment analysis

Compare to Similar Metros

Metro Area					Verdict
New Orleans, LA New Orleans, LA	64	$252,775	$1,598	7.59%	Buy	View
Winston, NC Winston, NC	64	$270,694	$1,530	6.78%	Buy	View
Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati, OH	64	$297,208	$1,539	6.22%	Buy	View
Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City, OK	64	$239,569	$1,346	6.74%	Buy	View
Lexington, KY Lexington, KY	64	$314,686	$1,586	6.05%	Buy	View
Current Boston, MA	44	$709,859	$2,939	4.97%	Avoid

The Bottom Line

AvoidBoston, MA may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult. Look for specific counties with better ratios.

The Boston, MA metro area scores 44/100, ranking #799 of 894 US metros (top 89%). The 4.97% rent-to-price ratio may require targeting specific counties or creative strategies for positive cash flow. Among 7 counties, Strafford shows the strongest investment potential (score: 52). Current metro-wide averages make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or drilling down to specific counties.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,811/mo

Cap Rate

3.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.3%

Ready to Invest in Boston, MA?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties, or explore individual counties for more targeted opportunities.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals House HackOwner-occupied Multifamily5+ unit properties Best CountyStrafford

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$709,859

Down Payment (20%)$141,972

Loan Amount$567,887

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,939

Monthly P&I-$3,721

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,029

Net Cash Flow-$1,812/mo

3.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-13.3%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.97%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on metro-wide median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Individual counties and properties vary significantly.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

44/100

Cash Flow(30%)

45/100

Based on 4.97% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

65/100

Based on 1.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Based on 0.0% population growth. Growing areas indicate economic stability.

Affordability(20%)

10/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Low unemployment (0.0%)
+Large metro with 7 counties offering diverse opportunities

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.97%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,811/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Counties in Boston, MA

						Verdict
StraffordNH	130,965	52	$504,962	$2,152	5.11%	Hold	View
RockinghamNH	315,169	49	$625,786	$2,605	5.00%	Hold	View
PlymouthMA	529,548	48	$646,462	$2,627	4.88%	Hold	View
SuffolkMA	785,443	43	$767,235	$3,365	5.26%	Avoid	View
EssexMA	806,103	41	$722,835	$2,574	4.27%	Avoid	View
MiddlesexMA	1,623,109	41	$824,308	$3,232	4.70%	Avoid	View
NorfolkMA	722,112	41	$775,861	$2,997	4.64%	Avoid	View

Click any county to see detailed investment analysis

Compare to Similar Metros

Metro Area					Verdict
New Orleans, LA New Orleans, LA	64	$252,775	$1,598	7.59%	Buy	View
Winston, NC Winston, NC	64	$270,694	$1,530	6.78%	Buy	View
Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati, OH	64	$297,208	$1,539	6.22%	Buy	View
Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City, OK	64	$239,569	$1,346	6.74%	Buy	View
Lexington, KY Lexington, KY	64	$314,686	$1,586	6.05%	Buy	View
Current Boston, MA	44	$709,859	$2,939	4.97%	Avoid

The Bottom Line

AvoidBoston, MA may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult. Look for specific counties with better ratios.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,811/mo

Cap Rate

3.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.3%