Apartments to rent in 02116, Boston

02116 covers Back Bay and the small Bay Village pocket in central Boston. This compact, highly walkable zip is home to Newbury Street shopping, Commonwealth Avenue’s brownstones and easy access to Copley and the Prudential/Prudential Center retail hub. Expect premium rents, excellent transit access and a mix of historic rowhouses, condo towers and boutique apartment buildings.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
02116 — Back Bay High Good Less Safe Excellent
02115 — Fenway/Kenmore High Good Safe Excellent
02199 — Prudential High Good Safe Excellent
02118 — South End High Good Safe Excellent
02114 — Beacon Hill High Excellent Safe Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zumper (zip-level median & listing samples)

ZIP 02116 Rental Prices

Studio
$2,400 – $4,445
1 bedroom
$3,000 – $4,785
2 bedroom
$3,600 – $5,675
3 bedroom
$4,000 – $6,200

Source: Zumper (zip-level median & listing samples)

Rentals available in 02116

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02116 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Joseph P. Manning Elementary School

⭐ ⭐ 8/10 GreatSchools (local listing reference)
Serving Back Bay area (attendance boundaries vary)
🧭 ~2.0–2.6 mi (serves parts of central Boston)

Top Private Schools

Commonwealth School

⭐ ⭐ Not rated on GreatSchools (top regional private) Private School Review / school website
151 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116
🧭 In-ZIP (02116)

The Newman School

⭐ Not rated Private School Review
247 Marlborough St, Boston, MA 02116
🧭 In-ZIP (02116)

Source: Boston Public Schools / private school websites / local school directories

02116 Safety & Crime Overview

Less Safe

Crime rates in 02116 (Back Bay) are elevated for property/theft relative to many Boston neighborhoods — the area sees frequent theft and property crime reports in commercial corridors and near transit hubs. Crime is uneven within the ZIP: the core Back Bay retail/transport nodes record higher incident counts than quieter brownstone blocks. Neighborhood vigilance, secure building entry and usual urban precautions are recommended.

Source: CrimeGrade / local crime aggregation

02116 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~98
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score ~98
Rider's Paradise
Bike Score ~90
Very Bikeable
<15 min
To downtown Boston by MBTA (Green/Orange Lines and commuter rail); many stops (Copley, Hynes, Back Bay) are within a short walk.

Source: WalkScore

02116, Boston Summary

Overview

02116 is Boston’s central Back Bay — an iconic, architecturally rich ZIP characterized by Victorian brownstones, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Newbury Street boutiques and major retail centers around the Prudential. It’s exceptionally walkable and transit-friendly, attracting professionals who prioritize location and amenity access over parking and lower rents. Commercial corridors show heavy foot traffic and a lively retail/restaurant scene, while tree-lined residential blocks offer classic Back Bay character.

Key Features

  • Walkable, transit-forward: Copley, Hynes and Back Bay stations put downtown and regional commuter rail within easy reach.
  • Upscale shopping & dining: Newbury Street boutiques, Prudential Center and Copley Place deliver shopping and restaurants steps from many buildings.
  • Historic architecture: Commonwealth Avenue brownstones and historic facades dominate the residential streets.
  • Strong private school presence: Several established private schools and prep programs are located in or adjacent to 02116.

Housing Snapshot

  • Rents run well above Boston median — Back Bay commands a premium for location and building quality.
  • Housing mix: historic brownstones, walk-up condos, luxury high-rises and boutique rental buildings.
  • Limited off-street parking; many residents rely on MBTA or walking.

History

  • Landfill & 19th-century development Back Bay is built on landfill from the 19th century; the neighborhood’s grid and Commonwealth Avenue were engineered during Boston’s expansion.
  • Victorian-era architecture Many brick rowhouses and Victorian brownstones date from the late 1800s and define the area’s character.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Population & lifestyle Young professionals, small households and a strong renter share; nightlife and shopping attract both residents and visitors.
  • Cost profile 02116 is expensive compared both to Boston as a whole and to metro-area suburbs for comparable unit types.
  • Transit-oriented High Walk Score and excellent transit make car-free living realistic for many residents.