Apartments to rent in 02124, Boston

02124 covers Dorchester Center and the Ashmont/Lower Mills area of Boston — a transit-connected, diverse neighborhood with Red Line access at Ashmont, local shopping on Dorchester Avenue and a mix of older triple-deckers and newer apartment conversions. This page has median rent ranges, schools, transit, parks and safety context for renters and landlords.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
02124 — Dorchester Center / Ashmont Average Fair Safe Good
02122 — Fields Corner / Adams Village Average Fair Safe Good
02125 — Savin Hill / Uphams Corner Average Good Safe Excellent
02119 — Roxbury Low Fair Less Safe Good
02121 — Dorchester / Mount Bowdoin Low Fair Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: RentCafe

ZIP 02124 Rental Prices

Studio
$1,995 – $2,450
1 bedroom
$2,295 – $2,984
2 bedroom
$2,600 – $5,050
3 bedroom
$2,550 – $5,050

Source: RentCafe

Rentals available in 02124

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02124 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Top Private Schools

Source: GreatSchools / Homes.com / Realtor

02124 Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

02124 (Dorchester Center / Ashmont) is a mixed urban neighborhood: community-oriented with active police and community safety initiatives. Public crime-data aggregators show moderate incident counts for property and violent crimes relative to central Boston; many sub-areas (around Ashmont and Lower Mills) report lower street-crime levels while other blocks have higher incident rates. Typical precautions — avoid poorly lit streets at night and secure personal property — apply.

Source: HoodScore / NeighborhoodScout

02124 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~75
Very Walkable
Transit Score ~78
Excellent Transit
Bike Score ~46
Somewhat Bikeable
<30 min
To Downtown Boston (Downtown Crossing/Park Street) by Red Line from Ashmont is typically ~20–30 minutes (allow extra time during MBTA service changes).

Source: WalkScore / RentCafe aggregated Walk/Transit data

02124, Boston Summary

Overview

02124 is a transit-oriented slice of Dorchester anchored by Ashmont and Dorchester Avenue. It blends historic triple-deckers and new conversions with local shopping nodes (Lower Mills, Codman Square) and good MBTA access; rents are generally lower than central Boston but rising with demand. The area is culturally diverse with active neighborhood organizations and convenient green space along the Neponset River.

Key Features

  • Transit-connected: Ashmont Red Line station plus Mattapan and Fairmount access give direct routes to downtown and regional commuter lines.
  • Community & parks: Dorchester Park, Neponset River greenway and local playgrounds provide outdoor space for families and pets.
  • Value relative to central Boston: Rents and purchase prices are generally lower than Back Bay or South End, making 02124 attractive for renters seeking value.

Housing Snapshot

  • Mix of triple-deckers, two- and three-family homes and mid-rise apartment conversions.
  • High renter share with many small landlords and several professionally managed buildings.
  • Median rents for 1BRs typically in the low-to-mid $2k range (see rental section).

History

  • Early settlement: Dorchester is one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods (settled 1630) and annexed to Boston in 1870.
  • Industrial past: Lower Mills grew around the Baker Chocolate / Walter Baker factory and related riverfront mills, a local historic anchor.
  • Transit shaping: The arrival of the Red Line and commuter-rail connections shaped 20th-century development and remains vital today.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Diverse community: 02124 is a multicultural neighborhood with large Black, Caribbean and immigrant communities and many neighborhood-based businesses.
  • Family-friendly pockets: Areas near Dorchester Park and local schools are popular with families; community resources and churches are active.
  • Transit-first lifestyle: Many residents use the T, commuter rail or buses for commute and errands; car ownership is lower than regional suburbs.