Dorchester, Boston, MA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: October 01, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Dorchester is $2,794, a 9.99% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,104.
Studio Apartments at $2,340 offer the most budget-friendly option with 503 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 692 square feet for $2,545, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-bedroom units at $3,199 offer 981 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,262 sq ft) for $4,116, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Dorchester, Boston, MA
Last updated: October 01, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,794 | 784 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,340 | 503 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,545 | 692 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,199 | 981 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $4,116 | 1,262 sq. ft. |
Dorchester, Boston, MA rent trends
Rental prices in Dorchester, Boston, MA have decreased by 9.99% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,104 to $2,794.
What's the typical rent budget in Dorchester, Boston, MA?
The largest share of rentals in Dorchester, Boston, MA (38%) 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?
20,913 or 61% of the households in Dorchester, Boston, MA are renter-occupied while 13,150 or 39% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Dorchester?
Mattapan $2,387/month
West Roxbury $2,696/month
Roxbury $2,745/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,743/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Dorchester?
Downtown - Financial District $4,714/month
Back Bay $4,761/month
Bay Village $6,122/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Boston, MA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Bay Village | $6,122 |
| Back Bay | $4,761 |
| Downtown - Financial District | $4,714 |
| South Boston | $4,319 |
| West End Boston | $4,155 |
| Fenway - Kenmore | $4,078 |
| Chinatown - Leather District | $4,072 |
| South End Boston | $3,931 |
| Charlestown | $3,528 |
| East Boston | $3,317 |
| Allston - Brighton | $3,315 |
| Jamaica Plain | $3,136 |
| Mission Hill | $3,110 |
| Roslindale | $2,891 |
| Beacon Hill | $2,839 |
| Dorchester | $2,794 |
| Roxbury | $2,745 |
| West Roxbury | $2,696 |
| Mattapan | $2,387 |
/
/
Boston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Dorchester is 16% lower than in Allston - Brighton
$2,794
Dorchester rent is the same as Boston average
Average Rent
$2,794
$3,315
Allston - Brighton rent is 19% higher than Boston average
Average Rent
$3,315
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.