Apartments to rent in Brighton Center, Boston

Brighton Center is the small commercial heart of Brighton (ZIP 02135), centered around Washington St. and Market St. It mixes classic neighborhood storefronts, a growing selection of restaurants and services, and easy bus access to Kenmore and downtown Boston.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Brighton Center Average Good Safe Excellent
Oak Square Average Good Safe Good
Allston Low Fair Less Safe Excellent
Cleveland Circle High Good Safe Excellent
Chestnut Hill / Reservoir area High Excellent Very Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zumper

Brighton Center, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,800 – $2,200
1 bedroom
$2,100 – $2,600
2 bedroom
$2,700 – $3,300
3 bedroom
$3,200 – $4,000

Source: Zumper

Rentals available in Brighton Center, Boston

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Brighton Center, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Winship Elementary School

⭐ Not rated Boston Public Schools/NCES
54 Dighton Street, Brighton, MA
🧭 In-neighborhood (~0.3 mi)

Edison Elementary School

⭐ Not rated Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education
60 Glenmont Road, Brighton, MA
🧭 ~0.6 mi

Top Private Schools

Source: NCES / Boston Public Schools

Brighton Center, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

Brighton Center generally experiences the mix of low-to-moderate property crime common to dense, transit-linked Boston neighborhoods; incidents cluster around busy commercial corridors (Washington St., Market St.) while residential side streets are typically quieter. The area is patrolled by Boston Police District D-14 (Allston-Brighton), and residents say to use usual urban precautions (lock cars, avoid poorly lit streets at night).

Source: Boston Police / NeighborhoodScout

Brighton Center, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~85
Walker's Paradise (many errands on foot)
Transit Score ~64
Good Transit (regular bus service to Kenmore, Copley and downtown)
Bike Score ~77
Very Bikeable
<25 min
To Back Bay/Copley: ~20–30 min by MBTA bus (routes 501/503/57 to Kenmore/Copley) or ~20 min drive off-peak.

Source: WalkScore / MBTA / Moovit

Brighton Center, Boston Summary

Overview

Brighton Center is the neighborhood commercial node inside Brighton (ZIP 02135), anchored on Washington St. and Market St. It offers a blend of local shops, longstanding pubs and newer restaurants, with strong bus connections to Kenmore, Back Bay and downtown. The area is popular with students, young professionals and families seeking a more residential feel than central Allston while keeping convenient transit.

Key Features

  • Neighborhood hub: Compact commercial strip with restaurants, services and small shops clustered around Market & Washington.
  • Transit-connected: Multiple MBTA bus lines connect to Kenmore and downtown; Green Line access is a short walk or bus ride.
  • Parks & green space: Quick access to Chestnut Hill Reservoir and several neighborhood parks and walking loops.
  • Local community: Active neighborhood groups (Brighton Main Streets) and regular community events such as the Brighton Center tree lighting.

Housing Snapshot

  • Mix of older three-deckers and newer mid-rise rental buildings near Market St.
  • Rents are close to Boston averages for comparable walkable neighborhoods (1BR often in the low-to-mid $2k range).
  • Strong renter demand due to proximity to universities and major employers.