Boston
Investment Analysis

Boston, MA
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

Share:
40
Investment Score
Hold
Cap Rate (Est.)
2.0%
Gross Yield
3.4%
P/R Ratio
22.4x
YoY Growth
-0.0%
Median Home Price
$837,500
Average Rent (1BR)
$2,377/mo
Median Income
$96,931
Population
652,442

Investment Breakdown

33
Value Score
50
Growth Score
44
Safety Score
38
Afford Score

Boston has a price-to-rent ratio of 22.4x, which indicates renting and buying are roughly equal.

The estimated cap rate of 2.0% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of -0.0% suggests a cooling market.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $2,377
Annual Gross $28,524

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$1,047
Insurance (~0.5%) -$349
Maintenance (~1%) -$698
Est. Net Cash Flow $283/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Boston Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$773K2027$793Kโ–ฒ 2.6%2028$806Kโ–ฒ 4.3%20232024Now
$846K$688K
Current
$838K
2026
Projected
$793K
โ†‘ 2.6% by 2027
Projected
$806K
โ†‘ 4.3% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+2.1%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.74
โ–ผ

For anyone evaluating the Boston housing market forecast through 2028, the current data suggests a period of consolidation rather than breakout growth. The median home price sits at $772,837 with a slight year-over-year decline of -0.5%, signaling that prices have largely plateaued after years of appreciation. While the 5-year price change of 11.5% (a 2.2% CAGR) indicates resilience, the market temperature of 59/100 reflects a more balanced environment. A major headwind is affordability, highlighted by a price-to-rent ratio of 24.8x, which is significantly higher than the national average. This suggests that buying remains a stretch for many, potentially keeping demand in check even as Bostonโ€™s strong life sciences and tech sectors continue to attract high-earning professionals.

When asking will Boston home prices drop, the answer likely lies in the interplay between local economic strength and high borrowing costs. Boston real estate Boston 2027 will be heavily influenced by the ongoing expansion of the Seaport and Kendall Square innovation districts, which continue to drive high-paying job growth and support rental demand. However, with days on market averaging 52 and an "A" risk grade, the market is stable but not overheated. The gap between the 5-year price range of $693,206 โ€“ $778,966 and the current median shows we are at the upper end of that historical band. Given the "RENT" verdict and high price-to-rent ratio, buyers may find better value in waiting for slight corrections, while the cityโ€™s constrained housing supply and world-class economy will likely prevent any significant crash.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
2.2%
5yr CAGR
+2.1%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.5%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +1.0%

Healthcare

89
Score
Excellent

Risk Factors

High Crime Area
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 97.3%
Months Supply 3.8
Price Drops 15%
Gone in 2 Wks 36%

Market Position

Affordability Average
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Boston.

Total ROI
-143%
on $167,500 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$239,517
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$4,203
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y1174kY2182kY3189kY4198kY5207k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$239,517
Final Equity
$206,763

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Boston

Property

Purchase Price$837,500
Monthly Rent$2,377
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$3,637
Monthly Cash Flow
-$43,645/ year
-26.1%
Cash-on-Cash
0.9%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$2,377
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$4,235
โˆ’ Property Tax$838
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$698
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$119
= Net Cash Flow-$3,637

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$167,500
Loan Amount
$670,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$6,014
Gross Yield
3.4%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026