Apartments to rent in 02118, Boston

02118 covers Boston’s South End and parts of the SoWa/Ink Block corridor — a dense, walkable neighborhood of brownstones, pocket parks, restaurants and arts venues. This page summarizes 2025 rental pricing, transit and neighborhood essentials for renters and landlords.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
02118 — South End High Good Safe Excellent
02116 — Back Bay High Good Very Safe Excellent
02115 — Fenway / Kenmore High Good Safe Excellent
02111 — Downtown / Chinatown High Fair Less Safe Excellent
02199 — Prudential / Back Bay High Good Very Safe Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zillow Rentals (ZIP-level market trends)

ZIP 02118 Rental Prices

Studio
$1,600 – $3,300
1 bedroom
$1,737 – $4,000
2 bedroom
$2,600 – $4,800
3 bedroom
$3,800 – $7,000

Source: Zillow Rentals (ZIP-level market trends)

Rentals available in 02118

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02118 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Hurley K-8 School

⭐ 5/10 GreatSchools / public data
70 Worcester St, Boston, MA 02118
🧭 In-ZIP (02118)

Top Private Schools

Source: Boston Public Schools / GreatSchools

02118 Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

02118 (South End) is an urban neighborhood with a mix of lower-volume property crimes and occasional violent incidents clustered in specific blocks; overall the zip scores near the city average but safety varies street-by-street. Take typical city precautions (secure entry, lock vehicles, avoid poorly lit streets at night).

Source: CrimeGrade (ZIP-level summary)

02118 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~98
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score ~89
Excellent Transit
Bike Score ~93
Biker's Paradise
<20 min
To downtown Boston by MBTA (Orange Line, commuter rail or bus) typically ~10–20 minutes depending on route; Back Bay and Orange Line stations are within a short walk. Exact times vary by origin/destination and time of day.

Source: Walk Score

02118, Boston Summary

Overview

02118 (South End) is a historic but evolving Boston neighborhood of Victorian brownstones, pocket parks and a large restaurant and arts scene (SoWa/Ink Block). It’s highly walkable with excellent transit links to Back Bay and downtown, strong hospital and medical employment nearby (Boston Medical Center), and a tight rental market with comparatively high rents. Neighborhood character mixes preserved residential blocks with new mid-rise developments and active retail corridors.

Key Features

  • Dining destination: SoWa and the South End host dozens of acclaimed restaurants and casual eateries in a compact area.
  • Walkable & transit-rich: Walk Score near 98 and multiple MBTA connections make car-free life feasible for most residents.
  • Medical hub: Boston Medical Center anchors local employment and healthcare services in the zip.
  • Architectural character: Rows of renovated brownstones and pocket parks give the South End a strong historic identity.

Housing Snapshot

  • Rents are above Boston average; studio–1BR units are highly competitive.
  • Mix of renovated brownstones, converted lofts, and newer mid-rise rentals (Ink Block / SoWa).
  • Limited off-street parking; many renters rely on transit or paid garages.

History

  • 19th-century fill & development South End was built on landfill and developed in the 1800s as part of Boston’s expansion, creating its signature Victorian rowhouses.
  • SoWa arts district The South of Washington (SoWa) district re-purposed industrial buildings into galleries, studios and markets, now a cultural draw.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Population mix A mix of young professionals, medical staff, and long-term residents; median age in the 30s.
  • Active lifestyle High walkability, bikeability and abundant dining/arts venues support an urban lifestyle.
  • Transit & commute patterns Many residents commute via MBTA or on foot to downtown/back bay jobs; car ownership is lower than suburban Boston.