Apartments to rent in 02126, Boston

02126 (Mattapan) is a predominantly residential Boston neighborhood centered on Mattapan Square and Blue Hill Avenue. The ZIP has strong transit links (Mattapan trolley and nearby Fairmount/commuter rail), local retail on Blue Hill Ave, and quick access to Franklin Park and the Neponset River Reservation.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
02126 — Mattapan Low Fair Less Safe Good
02124 — Dorchester Center / Lower Mills Average Good Safe Good
02122 — Dorchester Average Good Safe Good
02130 — Jamaica Plain High Good Safe Excellent
02119 — Roxbury Average Fair Less Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Prop:Metrics / Rentcast (ZIP-level rental medians)

ZIP 02126 Rental Prices

Studio
$1,740 – $2,120
1 bedroom
$2,200 – $2,680
2 bedroom
$2,630 – $3,210
3 bedroom
$2,970 – $3,630

Source: Prop:Metrics / Rentcast (ZIP-level rental medians)

Rentals available in 02126

Get Listings with Nmbr AI Rent Agent

02126 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Mildred Avenue K-8

⭐ 4/10 GreatSchools / Homes.com summary
5 Mildred Ave, Mattapan, MA 02126
🧭 In-ZIP (02126)

Top Private Schools

Berea SDA Academy

⭐ Not rated School websites / local directories
800 Morton St, Mattapan, MA 02126
🧭 In-ZIP (02126)

Source: Homes.com / KIPP MA / school websites

02126 Safety & Crime Overview

Less Safe

Crime in 02126 is above some Boston neighborhoods in per-capita measures; incidents concentrate unevenly across the ZIP and residents report hotspots near major corridors. Community policing, neighborhood groups and recent transit-oriented development are ongoing factors; safety varies block-by-block so prospective renters should check local crime maps and recent Boston Police reports for the specific street they are considering.

Source: CrimeGrade.org (ZIP-level crime rates & analysis)

02126 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~83
Very Walkable (Mattapan Square core).
Transit Score ~70
Excellent transit — Mattapan Trolley terminal, Fairmount/Commuter Rail nearby.
Bike Score ~68
Very Bikeable on key corridors; local bike infrastructure is mixed.
≈25-35 min
To Downtown Boston via Mattapan Trolley → Red Line (transfer at Ashmont) or via the Fairmount commuter rail into South Station.

Source: WalkScore.com / MBTA service summaries

02126, Boston Summary

Overview

02126 covers Mattapan — a culturally diverse, primarily residential portion of southern Boston centered on Mattapan Square and Blue Hill Avenue. The area has strong transit connections (Mattapan trolley terminal plus nearby Fairmount commuter-rail stops), active local retail corridors, and access to large parks like Franklin Park. Housing stock is a mix of two- and three-family 'triple-deckers,' small apartment buildings and some newer transit-oriented developments.

Key Features

  • Transit hub: Mattapan Station (Mattapan Line) and nearby Fairmount Line stops make 02126 commute-friendly by transit.
  • Green space: Franklin Park and the Neponset River Reservation provide significant outdoor recreation near the ZIP.
  • Community: A strong Caribbean and immigrant cultural presence with community organizations and local businesses on Blue Hill Ave.

Housing Snapshot

  • Predominantly multi-family 2–3 unit buildings and small apartment buildings.
  • Rents in 02126 are generally below many central Boston neighborhoods, with 1BR medians in the low-to-mid $2k range (ZIP-level medians vary by source).
  • Recent transit-oriented development (e.g., The Loop at Mattapan Station) is adding mixed-income rental options.

History

  • Streetcar & rail history Mattapan developed around rail and streetcar lines that connected southern Boston neighborhoods to downtown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Residential architecture Area features classic New England multi-family 'triple-deckers' and mid-century small apartment blocks.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Population & diversity 02126 is diverse with a large Black/African American and Caribbean population and a significant foreign-born share (zip-level census estimates).
  • Household profile Mix of families and renters; median household income below Boston city median but rising in recent years.
  • Local economy Retail on Blue Hill Ave and Mattapan Square anchors neighborhood commerce; community health and social services are locally important employers.