Apartments to rent in Allston, Boston

Allston (ZIP 02134) is a lively, student- and artist-oriented Boston neighborhood west of the Charles River. Known for its busy commercial corridors on Harvard and Brighton Avenues, late-night restaurants and music venues, and the quieter residential pockets of Lower Allston, the area mixes walkable urban blocks with easy MBTA access and proximity to Harvard and Boston University.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Allston Average Fair Less Safe Excellent
Brighton Average Good Safe Good
Fenway High Good Safe Excellent
Kenmore High Good Safe Excellent
Mission Hill Average Good Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Apartments.com (neighborhood averages)

Allston, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$2,200 – $2,600
1 bedroom
$2,500 – $3,200
2 bedroom
$3,200 – $4,000
3 bedroom
$3,800 – $4,600

Source: Apartments.com (neighborhood averages)

Rentals available in Allston, Boston

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Allston, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Gardner Pilot Academy

⭐ Not rated Boston Public Schools / GreatSchools
30 Athol St, Allston, MA 02134
🧭 In-neighborhood (Allston Village)

Top Private Schools

Source: Boston Public Schools / GreatSchools / local reporting

Allston, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Less Safe

Allston is an active, late-night neighborhood with a large student population and busy commercial corridors; that mix produces frequent property-crime reports (the Allston–Brighton D‑14 district sees elevated burglary and theft calls compared with quieter Boston neighborhoods). Lower Allston (north of the Pike) is noticeably quieter and more residential. Residents should take typical urban precautions — secure bicycles and ground-floor bulkheads, avoid poorly lit streets at night, and register tips with BPD D‑14 when incidents occur.

Source: Boston Police Department (District D-14) and local reporting

Allston, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~87
Very Walkable / Walker’s Paradise for many commercial corridors
Transit Score ~64
Good Transit
Bike Score ~86
Very Bikeable
<20 min
To downtown Boston (Park Street/Downtown) by Green Line + short walk or bus; times vary by stop and transfers.

Source: WalkScore.com (Allston neighborhood pages)

Allston, Boston Summary

Overview

Allston is a culturally diverse, energetic Boston neighborhood favored by students, artists and young professionals. It mixes dense, walkable retail corridors with quieter residential blocks, sits steps from the Charles River, and offers strong MBTA access via the Green Line B-branch and multiple bus routes. Housing ranges from classic brick Commonwealth Ave apartments to triple‑deckers near the Brighton border. The area has a lively dining and music scene but also faces typical urban challenges including higher turnover, noise in entertainment strips, and elevated property-crime reports in parts of D‑14.

Key Features

  • Student & music culture: Active nightlife, live-music venues and affordable eateries make Allston one of Boston's busiest evening neighborhoods.
  • Walkable commercial corridors: Harvard Ave, Brighton Ave and Commonwealth Ave offer dense shopping, restaurants and services within short walks.
  • Transit access: Green Line B‑branch stops (Allston Street, Warren St, Packard's Corner) and multiple bus routes keep downtown and academic districts reachable.
  • Lower Allston calm pockets: North of the Pike, Lower Allston has quieter streets and single-family homes popular with families and long-term residents.

Housing Snapshot

  • High-turnover rental market with many student-oriented leases and a big September turnover.
  • Median one-bedroom rents are in the mid-to-high $2k range (neighborhood averages vary by building and amenities).
  • Mix of older walk-up apartments and newer infill near Harvard expansion projects.