Apartments to rent in 02131, Boston

02131 covers Roslindale, a residential, village-style neighborhood about 5–7 miles southwest of downtown Boston. The area mixes walkable village retail along Washington Street with tree-lined streets, commuter-rail access at Roslindale Village, and easy proximity to Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
02131 — Roslindale Average Good Safe Good
02130 — Jamaica Plain High Excellent Safe Excellent
02132 — West Roxbury Average Good Very Safe Good
02124 — Dorchester (Codman Square / Ashmont) Low Fair Less Safe Fair
02126 — Mattapan Low Fair Less Safe Fair
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: U.S. Census ACS (median gross rent) via ZIP-Codes.com

ZIP 02131 Rental Prices

Studio
$1,400 – $1,900
1 bedroom
$1,600 – $2,400
2 bedroom
$2,000 – $3,200
3 bedroom
$2,600 – $4,200

Source: U.S. Census ACS (median gross rent) via ZIP-Codes.com

Rentals available in 02131

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02131 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Top Private Schools

Source: GreatSchools / ZIP-Codes.com / local school directories

02131 Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

02131 (Roslindale) generally reports lower crime than the Boston city average on several neighborhood-level measures. Crime-aggregator estimates place 02131 around ~23 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, slightly below Boston's overall ~26.7 per 1,000 (citywide). As with any urban ZIP, safety varies block-by-block: Roslindale Village and commercial corridors see more incidents than quieter residential sections. Standard precautions (nighttime vigilance, locking vehicles, avoiding poorly lit streets) are advised.

Source: CrimeGrade.org (ZIP-level) and NeighborhoodScout (Boston city stats)

02131 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~74
Very Walkable
Transit Score ~64
Good Transit
Bike Score ~72
Very Bikeable
<20 min
Commuter Rail from Roslindale Village to South Station is typically ~12–18 minutes; combined bus or rail trips to downtown regularly run under 20–30 minutes depending on routing.

Source: Walk Score snapshots (via Apartments.com listings) and MBTA/commuter-rail schedules

02131, Boston Summary

Overview

02131 (Roslindale) is a village-like Boston neighborhood with a strong local retail core on Washington Street, resident-friendly parks, and commuter-rail access that makes downtown commutes practical without living in the dense city center. Housing is a mix of multi-family wood-frame buildings and single-family homes; rents are generally more moderate than nearby Jamaica Plain but higher than some farther-out Boston neighborhoods.

Key Features

  • Village center: Roslindale Village offers cafes, markets, weekly farmers market and independent shops clustered near the commuter-rail station.
  • Transit options: Roslindale Village commuter-rail and multiple bus lines provide reliable alternatives to driving into downtown.
  • Parks & green space: Easy access to Larz Anderson Park, Jamaica Pond, and local playgrounds for outdoor recreation.
  • Family-friendly: Neighborhood schools, community resources and a suburban feel inside Boston make Roslindale appealing to families.

Housing Snapshot

  • Mix of multi-family and single-family stock; many renovated Victorians and triple-deckers.
  • Median gross rent and home values rose over recent years; 1–2 bedroom rentals dominate listings.
  • More affordable than some nearer-in Boston neighborhoods (e.g., Jamaica Plain) but pricier than outer suburbs.

History

  • Annexation & growth Roslindale was annexed to Boston in the 19th century and grew around its village center and commuter-rail links.
  • Village identity Historically a separate village center, Roslindale retains a small-town commercial strip distinct from larger Boston neighborhoods.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Population mix Diverse population with a mix of long-time residents and newer arrivals; family-oriented neighborhoods with active community groups.
  • Local life Weekly farmers market, independent restaurants and neighborhood events are focal points of community life.
  • Commuter-friendly Many residents commute to downtown Boston for work using commuter rail or bus links.