Apartments to rent in Back Bay, Boston

Back Bay is Boston’s iconic, highly walkable neighborhood known for Victorian brownstones, Newbury Street shopping, Copley Square and easy access to the Charles River Esplanade. This guide covers ZIPs 02116, 02115 and 02199 and gives a practical snapshot of rents, transit, schools, safety and local amenities for renters and landlords.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Back Bay High Fair Safe Excellent
Beacon Hill High Good Very Safe Excellent
South End High Good Safe Excellent
Fenway–Kenmore Average Good Safe Excellent
Downtown High Fair Safe Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zumper

Back Bay, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$2,200 – $3,200
1 bedroom
$3,000 – $4,000
2 bedroom
$4,500 – $7,000
3 bedroom
$5,500 – $9,000

Source: Zumper

Rentals available in Back Bay, Boston

Get Listings with Nmbr AI Rent Agent

Back Bay, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Josiah Quincy Elementary School

⭐ 6/10 GreatSchools aggregate
800 East 4th St / Quincy area (attendance varies)
🧭 ~1.0–1.5 mi (serves central neighborhoods)

Top Private Schools

Commonwealth School

⭐ Not rated (independent) School website / NAIS
151 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116
🧭 In-neighborhood (Back Bay)

Source: Boston Public Schools / DESE / GreatSchools

Back Bay, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

Back Bay is generally safe for residents, with lower violent-crime rates than many large U.S. cities but a notable concentration of property crimes (shoplifting, pickpocketing, bicycle theft) because it’s a major shopping and tourist destination (Newbury Street, Copley, Prudential, Copley Place). City police district data and neighborhood incident maps show that most incidents are larceny-related and clustered around retail corridors and transit hubs; residents should use normal urban precautions (secure packages, lock bikes, avoid leaving valuables visible in cars).

Source: Boston Police Department / local neighborhood crime dashboards

Back Bay, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~97
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score ~94
Rider's Paradise
Bike Score ~85
Very Bikeable
<10 min
To Downtown by T (Orange/Green Lines) or a short 5–10 min drive depending on traffic; Back Bay station (Orange/Commuter Rail) and Copley/Prudential Green Line stops are within a few minutes' walk.

Source: Walk Score / neighborhood property listings summary

Back Bay, Boston Summary

Overview

Back Bay is one of Boston’s most recognizable neighborhoods — tree-lined, architecturally rich, and tightly packed with shops, cultural institutions and transit. It attracts professionals, students and families who prize walkability, immediate access to transit, the Public Garden and strong retail corridors. The trade-offs are high rents, tourist foot traffic and occasional property-crime nuisances tied to high retail activity.

Key Features

  • Historic Architecture: Victorian brownstones and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall create a distinctive, well-preserved streetscape.
  • Shopping & Dining: Newbury Street boutiques, Copley Place and Prudential Center offer a dense retail and restaurant mix.
  • Transit & Walkability: Exceptional walk and transit scores — multiple T stops and the Back Bay commuter rail station put the city within easy reach.
  • Recreation: Charles River Esplanade and the Public Garden provide outdoor space for runners, dog walkers and families.

Housing Snapshot

  • Predominantly high-end condos, rental buildings and converted brownstones; smaller footprints are common and premium-priced.
  • Rents for studios through three-bedrooms are above Boston averages; buildings often penalize for parking and pet policies.
  • Turnover is steady with steady demand from young professionals, university affiliates and corporate relocations.

History

  • 19th-century land reclamation Back Bay was built on landfill in the mid-to-late 1800s; its planned streets and uniform brownstone architecture reflect that era.
  • Architectural preservation Many blocks are part of historic districts with strict preservation and design guidelines.