Apartments to rent in 02478, Belmont

02478 covers central Belmont including Waverley Square and Belmont Center. This ZIP mixes walkable village centers, strong public schools, commuter-rail access to Boston, and suburban single-family streets — rental stock ranges from small apartment conversions to multi-family homes and newer townhomes.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
02478 — Waverley Square / Belmont Center High Excellent Very Safe Good
02474 — Arlington Center Average Good Safe Good
02476 — Arlington Heights Average Good Safe Fair
02138 — Cambridge (West/Porter) High Good Safe Excellent
02472 — Watertown Average Good Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zillow Rentals (ZIP market trends)

ZIP 02478 Rental Prices

Studio
$1,100 – $2,700
1 bedroom
$1,500 – $3,300
2 bedroom
$1,900 – $4,000
3 bedroom
$2,400 – $5,000

Source: Zillow Rentals (ZIP market trends)

Rentals available in 02478

Get Listings with Nmbr AI Rent Agent

02478 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Belmont High School

⭐ ⭐️ 10/10 GreatSchools
221 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA 02478
🧭 In-ZIP (02478)

Winn Brook School

⭐ 7/10 GreatSchools
97 Waterhouse Road, Belmont, MA 02478
🧭 In-ZIP (02478) ~0.8 mi

Top Private Schools

Belmont Hill School

⭐ Not rated (private) GreatSchools
350 Prospect Street, Belmont, MA 02478
🧭 In/near ZIP (02478) ~0.8 mi

Belmont Day School

⭐ Not rated (private) GreatSchools
55 Day School Lane, Belmont, MA 02478
🧭 In-ZIP (02478) ~1.0 mi

Source: GreatSchools / Belmont Public Schools

02478 Safety & Crime Overview

Very Safe

Belmont (02478) is generally considered a low-crime suburb with property-crime levels near or below state averages and very low violent-crime counts relative to population. Most incidents are property-related (thefts, occasional burglaries); violent crime is rare. Normal suburban precautions—locking cars, avoiding leaving valuables visible—are recommended. Belmont PD maintains active patrols in village centers and around schools and transit hubs.

Source: NeighborhoodScout (FBI-based analytics)

02478 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~60
Somewhat Walkable (village centers like Belmont Center & Waverley are walkable; many streets are suburban)
Transit Score ~40
Some Transit (MBTA buses + Fitchburg commuter rail stations at Waverley and Belmont Center)
Bike Score ~42
Somewhat Bikeable
~20 min
To North Station (Boston) by commuter rail when schedules align; bus + Red Line via Harvard/Alewife typically 25–40 min depending on connections.

Source: Walk Score (zip-level)

02478, Belmont Summary

Overview

02478 is the central Belmont ZIP covering Waverley Square and Belmont Center. It combines walkable village shopping streets, highly regarded public schools, and direct commuter-rail access to Boston. Housing is predominantly owner-occupied single-family and small multi-family buildings, with a modest rental market of apartment conversions and townhomes.

Key Features

  • Top-rated schools: Belmont Public Schools (Belmont High, Chenery Middle) consistently score highly in state testing and rankings.
  • Walkable village centers: Waverley Square and Belmont Center provide cafes, bakeries, grocery and commuter connections within easy walking distance.
  • Commuter access: Fitchburg commuter-rail stops (Waverley, Belmont) and MBTA bus routes provide straightforward connections to Cambridge and Boston.

Housing Snapshot

  • Predominantly single-family homes with limited small multi-family rentals.
  • Rents are above national averages; most available units are 1–3 bedroom conversions or small complexes.
  • Low vacancy and steady demand from families and professionals commuting to Boston/Cambridge.

History

  • Railroad village origins Waverley and Belmont Center grew around Fitchburg Line rail stops in the 19th century, shaping the village-center retail strips.
  • Suburban development: Belmont developed as a streetcar and commuter suburb of Boston with many Victorian and early-20th-century homes.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Affluent, highly educated: Household incomes and educational attainment are well above national averages (high share of college grads).
  • Family-oriented: Strong public-school reputation draws families; active town events and community programs.
  • Commuter-friendly: Many residents work in Boston/Cambridge — balance of car and transit commuting is common.