Love Boston? Here’s What $1500 in Rent Will Get You There

published Oct 12, 2016

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Four-room collage: hardwood living room, dining area with wooden table, kitchen with light wood cabinets, and open closet space. — (Image credit: via Zillow)

While not as expensive as San Francisco and New York, Boston does claim the number three spot for highest median one bedroom rents in the nation ($2,800). Nearly 700,000 people live in the city proper—many of them students—and they have to live somewhere, for something a bit more reasonable. We took a look at Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline to see what $1500 can rent you, right now.

Boston Proper

Marlborough Street, Back Bay—$1,495

(Image credit: via Zillow)

So what we have here is basically a glorified eat-in kitchen turned apartment, where the kitchen was removed and replaced with a microscopic kitchenette. But if you can’t handle living with one more Craigslist rando and just need a place to sleep, here you go.

Sedgwick Street, Jamaica Plain—$1,495

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This 500 square-foot one bed appears to be well-maintained and has some lovely built-ins, dark woodwork, and a separate (potentially eat-in) kitchen.

36 Charter Street, North End—$1,600

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This 625 square foot one-plus bedroom is on the fourth floor and has an eat-in kitchen with a pantry.

137 W 8th Street, South Boston—$1,495

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This Southie one bed’s major selling point is that it has a roof deck.

1023 Dorchester Avenue, Savin Hill—$1,400

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This Dorchester one bedroom has “condo quality” renovations and the holy grail of a washer/dryer in unit.

Cambridge

3 Acacia Street, Harvard Square—$1,500

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This basement studio in an owner-occupied single family comes partially furnished, is carpeted, and doesn’t have an oven. But the painted brick is charming, and you have a private separate entrance.

80 Spring Street, East Cambridge—$1,600

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This one bedroom has bright windows, an eat-in kitchen that has a lot of cabinet space, and a separate office/study. Downside is its higher price, and that East Cambridge is on the Green Line and not the Red Line #tradeoffs

Somerville

140 Albion Street, Spring Hill—$1,600

(Image credit: via Zillow)

Compared to what we’ve seen so far, 800 square feet is practically palatial. This one bed has a separate dining room, and the kitchen has a pantry. The bathroom was recently redone, but the moldings retain their Art Deco charm.

Winter Hill—$1,450

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This 650 square-foot one bed has heat and hot water included, a dishwasher, and a walk-in closet.

Brookline

Harvard Avenue, Brookline Village—$1,600

(Image credit: via Zillow)

This 450 square-foot, recently renovated studio is probably in a basement, but at least you can hang outside in the very autumnal surroundings for your vitamin D.