Rent vs. Buy Calculator: Is It Better to Buy in Boston, MA?
Pre-filled with Boston, MA's median home price ($880,000), local property tax rate (1.1%), and an estimated equivalent rent — adjust any number to match your specific situation.
Median home price
$880,000
Property tax rate
1.1%
Est. equivalent rent
$3,500/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
21×
Your situation
Buying wins over 10 years
Saves you $137,847 vs the alternative · breaks even in year 6
💡 What if the down payment was invested instead?
Adds a purple line: rent + $176,000 growing at 8%/yr
Net cost of buying
$343,636
Total cost renting
$481,483
Share in r/personalfinance, r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer, or Twitter 🏡
Assumes 30-year fixed mortgage, 3% closing costs, 1% annual maintenance, 7% selling costs. For educational purposes only — consult a financial advisor.
Compare another market:
Massachusetts taxes and what they mean for your decision
Massachusetts has a 5% flat state income tax plus a 4% surtax on income above roughly $1M ('Fair Share Amendment'), and Boston's property tax rate of 1.1% is close to the national average.
The Boston, MA rental market
Boston's rental market is heavily shaped by the academic calendar — with dozens of colleges and universities in the metro, September 1st ('Allston Christmas') is the dominant lease turnover date, and rent levels remain among the highest in the Northeast.
What makes Boston different
Boston's housing stock skews older (triple-deckers and pre-war construction are common), which can mean higher maintenance costs than the standard 1% assumption used in this calculator — get a home inspection estimate for older properties specifically.
Boston, MA's price-to-rent ratio: 21×
Dividing the median home price by annual rent for an equivalent home gives the price-to-rent ratio — a quick screening tool used by economists and real estate analysts. A ratio below 15 generally favours buying, 15–20 is a genuine toss-up, and above 20 generally favours renting, all else being equal. Boston, MA currently sits at approximately 21×, which leans toward renting unless you plan a long holding period or expect above-average appreciation.
| Metric | Boston, MA |
|---|---|
| Median home price | $880,000 |
| Estimated equivalent monthly rent | $3,500 |
| Property tax rate | 1.1% annually |
| State income tax | Massachusetts state tax applies |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 21× |
These are metro-level estimates for illustration. Use the calculator above with your specific neighborhood, property, and rental comparison for an accurate result.
Compare other major metros
📍 New York, NY
$780,000 median · 1.7% property tax
📍 Los Angeles, CA
$950,000 median · 0.7% property tax
📍 Chicago, IL
$350,000 median · 2.2% property tax
📍 Houston, TX
$320,000 median · 2.3% property tax · no income tax
📍 Austin, TX
$820,000 median · 2.1% property tax · no income tax
📍 Seattle, WA
$850,000 median · 1% property tax · no income tax
Related financial planners
Boston, MA rent vs buy — frequently asked questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Boston, MA?
It depends heavily on your time horizon and the specific numbers. Boston, MA's current price-to-rent ratio of approximately 21× suggests renting often makes more sense unless you plan a long holding period. Use the calculator above with your specific home price, down payment, and time horizon for a precise answer.
What is the median home price in Boston, MA?
The median home price in Boston, MA is approximately $880,000, though prices vary significantly by neighborhood and property type. This calculator uses the metro median as a starting point — adjust it to match the specific property you are considering.
What are property taxes like in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA has an effective property tax rate of approximately 1.1% of assessed home value annually. This is close to the US national average of roughly 1.1%.
Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?
Yes. Massachusetts levies a state income tax, which is a relevant factor when comparing overall cost of living, though it applies equally whether you rent or buy and does not directly affect the rent vs buy math itself.
How long do I need to stay in Boston for buying to make sense?
Based on Boston, MA's current price-to-rent ratio of 21×, the typical break-even point — accounting for closing costs, selling costs, and the opportunity cost of the down payment — generally falls in the 7-plus-year range for this market. Run the calculator above with your specific numbers and time horizon for an exact figure.