What is the average apartment size in Dorchester, Boston, MA?

The average size for a Dorchester, Boston, MA apartment is 788 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.

What is the average rent in Dorchester?

As of Sep / 2025, the average rent in Dorchester is $3,076 per month, a 2.59% decrease from last year’s average of $3,158.

How much does rent cost by apartment size in Dorchester?

In Dorchester, studios rent for $2,553 per month, one-bedroom units average $2,761 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $3,501 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $4,573 per month

What is the average apartment size in Dorchester?

The typical apartment in Dorchester offers about 788 sq. ft. square feet of living space, though actual sizes vary depending on layout and amenities.

How large are apartments by bedroom count in Dorchester?

Studio apartments in Dorchester average 503 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 688 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 966 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,268 sq. ft.

Dorchester, Boston, MA Rental Market Trends

Q: What's the typical rent budget in Dorchester?

The typical rent budget in Dorchester ranges from $3,000 to per month, with 49% of rentals in this range.

Q: Do most people rent or own in Dorchester?

In Dorchester, 61% of households rent while 39% own their homes, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

Last updated: October 19, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Dorchester is $3,076, a 2.59% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,158.

Studio Apartments at $2,553 offer the most budget-friendly option with 503 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 688 square feet for $2,761, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-beedroom units at $3,501 offer 966 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,268 sq ft) for $4,573, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Dorchester, Boston, MA

Last updated: October 19, 2025

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$3,076	788 sq. ft.
Studio	$2,553	503 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$2,761	688 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$3,501	966 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$4,573	1,268 sq. ft.

Dorchester, Boston, MA rent trends

Rental prices in Dorchester, Boston, MA have decreased by 2.59% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,158 to $3,076.

What's the typical rent budget in Dorchester, Boston, MA?

The largest share of rentals in Dorchester, Boston, MA (49%) 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 Dorchester, Boston, MA?

20,404 or 61% of the households in Dorchester, Boston, MA are renter-occupied while 12,896 or 39% are owner-occupied.

Access comprehensive real estate data and information on Yardi Matrix

Most affordable neighborhoods in Dorchester?

Roxbury $2,244/month

Mattapan $2,333/month

Beacon Hill $2,738/month

All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,775/month.

Most expensive neighborhoods in Dorchester?

South Boston $4,329/month

Downtown - Financial District $4,640/month

Back Bay $4,853/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	$4,853
Downtown - Financial District	$4,640
South Boston	$4,329
West End Boston	$4,207
Fenway - Kenmore	$4,116
Chinatown - Leather District	$4,105
South End Boston	$4,039
Charlestown	$3,523
East Boston	$3,330
Allston - Brighton	$3,328
Jamaica Plain	$3,236
Mission Hill	$3,135
Dorchester	$3,076
Roslindale	$3,000
West Roxbury	$2,864
Beacon Hill	$2,738
Mattapan	$2,333
Roxbury	$2,244

Boston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood

Rent in Dorchester is 8% lower than in Allston - Brighton

$3,076

Dorchester rent is the same as Boston average

Average Rent $3,076

$3,328

Allston - Brighton rent is 8% higher than Boston average

Average Rent $3,328

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 Dorchester 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.