Boston Real Estate Market - 2026

The Greater Boston housing market showed mixed conditions in September 2026. Buyers had more listings to choose from than a year earlier, but affordability remained a challenge and conditions varied by property type and community. In Boston, active listings rose year over year, median asking prices declined, and homes took longer to sell. These changes give some buyers more time to compare properties and negotiate, although well-priced homes in desirable locations can still attract strong interest. 

According to Realtor.com’s September 2026 Boston market snapshot, the median listing price was $784,778, down 3.4% from a year earlier. Active listings increased 16.1% to 9,017, while the median time on market rose 18.1% to 43 days. These figures describe Boston listing activity, not Greater Boston closed-sale prices. For the wider region, the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS publishes monthly statistics on single-family homes and condominiums, including median sale prices, inventory and time on market.

Mortgage rates and monthly carrying costs remain important factors for buyers. Rates vary by lender, credit profile, down payment and loan type, so buyers should compare current quotes and annual percentage rates (APR), not just advertised interest rates. Sellers should base asking prices on recent comparable sales and neighborhood conditions rather than relying on broad regional averages.

City Neighborhoods Market Comparison

Town or Neighborhood	Typical Property Price	Median Household Income	MCAS	Size	Neighborhood Description
Allston	$725,000	$70,000	★★		Vibrant, student-heavy area known for affordable housing, diverse nightlife, and proximity to universities.
Back Bay	$1,875,000	$145,000	★★		Elegant Victorian neighborhood famous for upscale shopping on Newbury Street, historic architecture, and cultural attractions.
Bay Village	$1,450,000	$135,000	★★		Boston's smallest, charming hidden gem with quaint row houses, quiet streets, and central location near theaters.
Beacon Hill	$2,080,000	$155,000	★★		Historic, picturesque area with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, Federal-style homes, and the State House.
Brighton	$780,000	$85,000	★★		Family-friendly, diverse suburb-like area with young professionals, good parks, and affordable options near universities.
Charlestown	$1,145,000	$130,000	★★★		Historic waterfront neighborhood with revolutionary sites like Bunker Hill, tight-knit community, and harbor views.
Chinatown	$1,040,000	$80,000	★★		Compact, bustling hub of Asian culture with authentic restaurants, markets, and central downtown access.
Dorchester	$675,000	$75,000	★★		Boston's largest and most diverse neighborhood offering affordable housing, parks, beaches, and ethnic eateries.
Downtown	$1,250,000	$150,000	★★		Central business and shopping district with skyscrapers, historic sites, theaters, and excellent transit.
East Boston	$715,000	$70,000	★★		Diverse, waterfront area with growing appeal, harbor views, parks, and quick airport/Logan access.
Fenway	$935,000	$60,000	★★		Energetic cultural hub home to Fenway Park, museums, universities, and vibrant nightlife.
Financial District	$1,560,000	$160,000	★★		Bustling business core with high-rises, luxury condos, waterfront access, and proximity to dining/shopping.
Hyde Park	$625,000	$85,000	★★		Quiet, suburban-feeling area with single-family homes, parks, and a "small town in the city" atmosphere.
Jamaica Plain	$885,000	$110,000	★★★		Progressive, diverse neighborhood with beautiful parks, Jamaica Pond, and a strong community feel.
Mattapan	$575,000	$60,000	★★		Diverse, working-class area with strong Caribbean influences, green spaces, and affordable homes.
Midtown	$1,250,000	$120,000	★★		Central urban area blending theater district energy with modern condos and easy transit access.
Mission Hill	$935,000	$65,000	★★		Diverse hilltop area near medical centers and universities, with young professionals and global cuisine.
North End	$1,250,000	$130,000	★★		Boston's "Little Italy" famous for authentic Italian restaurants, historic sites, and waterfront charm.
Roslindale	$675,000	$100,000	★★★		Family-oriented "garden suburb" with vibrant village square, diverse dining, and access to Arnold Arboretum.
Roxbury	$780,000	$50,000	★★		Historic heart of Black culture in Boston with vibrant arts scene, community spirit, and ongoing revitalization.
Seaport	$1,875,000	$170,000	★★		Modern waterfront innovation district with luxury developments, trendy restaurants, and harbor views.
South Boston	$935,000	$130,000	★★		Proud, working-class waterfront area with beaches, parks, strong community ties, and growing popularity.
South End	$1,250,000	$120,000	★★★		Trendy Victorian district known for diverse dining, art galleries, parks, and inclusive LGBTQ+ community.
Waterfront	$1,560,000	$150,000	★★		Prime harborfront area with luxury residences, seafood dining, aquariums, and scenic walks.
West End	$1,250,000	$130,000	★★		Modern area near TD Garden with sports/entertainment venues, hospitals, and river views.
West Roxbury	$780,000	$110,000	★★★		Peaceful suburban neighborhood with tree-lined streets, good schools, parks, and commuter rail access.

Boston North Market Comparison

Town or Neighborhood	Typical Property Price	Median Household Income	MCAS	Size	Neighborhood Description
Arlington	$1,040,000	$125,000	★★★★		Family-oriented suburb with excellent schools, parks, and easy access to Cambridge and Boston.
Chelsea	$625,000	$70,000	★★		Diverse, affordable urban area with waterfront parks, growing dining scene, and quick access to Boston.
Everett	$675,000	$80,000	★★		Affordable urban suburb with diverse community, new developments, and easy access to Boston.
Lynn	$575,000	$70,000	★★		Affordable coastal city with beaches, diverse community, and emerging arts scene north of Boston.
Malden	$730,000	$90,000	★★★		Diverse, family-friendly suburb with good schools, parks, and Orange Line access to Boston.
Medford	$885,000	$110,000	★★★		Diverse suburb with Tufts University, Mystic River access, and growing restaurant scene.
Melrose	$885,000	$120,000	★★★★		Charming Victorian suburb with vibrant downtown, good schools, and commuter rail to Boston.
Nahant	$1,040,000	$130,000	★★★★		Quiet coastal peninsula with beaches, marine science center, and small-town seaside feel.
Revere	$625,000	$75,000	★★★		Beachfront community with America's first public beach, diverse population, and Blue Line convenience.
Saugus	$675,000	$95,000	★★★		North shore suburb with shopping destinations, family homes, and easy highway access.
Stoneham	$780,000	$110,000	★★★★		Family-friendly north suburb with good schools, Spot Pond recreation, and commuter access.
Wakefield	$830,000	$130,000	★★★		Picturesque suburb with Lake Quannapowitt, vibrant downtown, and strong community spirit.
Winchester	$1,450,000	$180,000	★★★★		Exclusive suburb with highly ranked schools, Mystic Lakes, historic center, and commuter rail.
Winthrop	$730,000	$90,000	★★★		Coastal town with beaches, ocean views, small-town feel, and quick ferry/bus to Boston.
Woburn	$780,000	$100,000	★★★		Growing north suburb with business parks, shopping, Horn Pond recreation, and highway access.

Boston West Market Comparison

Town or Neighborhood	Typical Property Price	Median Household Income	MCAS	Size	Neighborhood Description
Belmont	$1,560,000	$175,000	★★★★		Highly desirable family suburb with top-rated schools, green spaces, and commuter rail access to Boston.
Brookline	$1,665,000	$150,000	★★★★		Upscale suburb with excellent schools, vibrant Coolidge Corner, and easy T access to Boston.
Cambridge	$1,450,000	$120,000	★★★		Intellectual hub home to Harvard and MIT, with diverse neighborhoods, innovation, and riverfront charm.
Lexington	$1,665,000	$190,000	★★★★		Prestigious historic suburb with revolutionary heritage, top schools, and conservation land.
Newton	$1,450,000	$165,000	★★★★		Premier suburb known as "Garden City" with 13 villages, top schools, and leafy elegance.
Somerville	$1,145,000	$115,000	★★★		Hip, dense urban city with eclectic dining, arts, and excellent public transit to Boston.
Waltham	$830,000	$110,000	★★★		"Watch City" with tech hub, Moody Street dining, Charles River access, and commuter rail.
Wellesley	$1,875,000	$200,000	★★★★		Affluent suburb home to Wellesley College, beautiful estates, upscale shopping, and top schools.

Boston South Comparison

Town or Neighborhood	Typical Property Price	Median Household Income	MCAS	Size	Neighborhood Description
Milton	$935,000	$140,000	★★★★		Leafy suburb with Blue Hills reservation, excellent schools, and historic charm south of Boston.
Quincy	$675,000	$90,000	★★★		"City of Presidents" with affordable options, waterfront, diverse dining, and Red Line access.