Apartments to rent in Bay Village, Boston

Bay Village is Boston’s smallest official neighborhood — a brick-rowhouse, gas-lamp pocket tucked between Back Bay, the Theater District and the South End. Highly walkable and transit-rich, it’s prized for quiet residential streets, pocket gardens and close access to downtown cultural attractions. ZIP code(s): 02116.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Bay Village High Good Very Safe Excellent
Back Bay High Good Safe Excellent
South End Average Good Safe Excellent
Beacon Hill High Good Very Safe Excellent
Leather District Average Fair Safe Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: RentHop (neighborhood) & Zillow (ZIP 02116)

Bay Village, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,800 – $2,850
1 bedroom
$2,000 – $3,500
2 bedroom
$3,500 – $5,500
3 bedroom
$4,000 – $6,000

Source: RentHop (neighborhood) & Zillow (ZIP 02116)

Rentals available in Bay Village, Boston

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Bay Village, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Josiah Quincy Elementary

⭐ 6/10 GreatSchools (listing for 02116 area)
885 Washington St (Chinatown/Fronting area), Boston, MA
🧭 ~0.2–0.3 mi (nearby, Chinatown/Leather District)

William Mckinley School

⭐ 1/10 GreatSchools / realtor listings
Nearby district schools serving some 02116 addresses
🧭 ~0.6 mi (nearby)

Top Private Schools

The Newman School

⭐ Not rated GreatSchools
247 Marlborough St, Boston, MA 02116
🧭 ~0.4 mi (Back Bay)

Source: Boston Public Schools / GreatSchools / Homes.com

Bay Village, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Very Safe

Bay Village is a small, primarily residential enclave with lower violent-crime exposure than many high-traffic downtown blocks; most public reports and neighborhood pages describe it as quiet and well-patrolled. As with any central Boston neighborhood, the largest risk is opportunistic property crimes (package theft, bike theft) near busy commercial corridors. Check the City of Boston Police incident map for block-level detail before signing a lease.

Source: City of Boston / Boston Police / neighborhood profile

Bay Village, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~98
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score ~100
Rider's Paradise
Bike Score ~81
Very Bikeable
<10 min
Typical transit ride to Downtown/Financial District under 10 minutes; Tufts Medical Center (Orange Line) and nearby Green Line stops give fast downtown access.

Source: WalkScore.com

Bay Village, Boston Summary

Overview

Bay Village is a tiny, historic pocket of Boston defined by brick rowhouses, gas streetlamps and small tree-lined streets. It feels like a quiet village in the middle of the city: steps to Back Bay, the Theater District and downtown, offering exceptional walkability and transit access while keeping a largely residential character.

Key Features

  • Historic, walkable enclave: Gas lamps, narrow brick streets and preserved rowhouses give Bay Village a distinct, intimate character.
  • Unbeatable location: Minutes to Back Bay, Boston Common, the Theater District and major transit lines — ideal for short commutes and cultural life.
  • Quiet residential streets: Despite its central location, many Bay Village blocks are low-traffic and pocket-garden focused.
  • Transit & walkability: Walk Score 98 and Transit Score 100 — most daily needs require no car.

Housing Snapshot

  • Mostly small rowhouses, condos and boutique apartment buildings; limited supply.
  • Rents run well above national averages (ZIP 02116 medians reflect Back Bay/Bay Village premium).
  • Strong competition — studios and one-bedrooms are common; larger units are rarer and costlier.