Apartments to rent in Dorchester Center, Boston

Dorchester Center (ZIPs: 02124) is a long-established Dorchester commercial and residential hub in Boston’s southeast side. The area mixes small groceries and restaurants, community services (Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester YMCA), commuter rail and Red Line access via nearby Ashmont/Talbot Ave, and an active neighborhood commercial strip along Washington and Dorchester Avenues.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Dorchester Center Average Good Safe Good
Ashmont Average Good Safe Excellent
Fields Corner Average Fair Safe Good
Uphams Corner Low Fair Less Safe Good
Savin Hill Average Good Very Safe Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zillow (ZIP 02124) + RentHop/Zumper listings

Dorchester Center, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,200 – $2,400
1 bedroom
$1,600 – $3,000
2 bedroom
$1,900 – $3,500
3 bedroom
$2,500 – $4,200

Source: Zillow (ZIP 02124) + RentHop/Zumper listings

Rentals available in Dorchester Center, Boston

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Dorchester Center, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Top Private Schools

St. Brendan School

⭐ Not rated School site / local listings
29 Rita Rd, Dorchester, MA 02124
🧭 ~1.0 mi

Source: Codman Academy, GreatSchools, local neighborhood org pages

Dorchester Center, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

Dorchester Center is a busy, working-class neighborhood with active commercial corridors. Crime across Dorchester varies block-by-block: some sections (particularly areas west of Columbia Road and along parts of Blue Hill Ave) have higher property and violent‑crime incident counts, while pockets around Savin Hill and parts of Ashmont report lower incident rates. Residents report frequent BPD activity and community policing initiatives; stay aware of late-night street-level incidents and follow local news/alerts for shootings or arrests. Overall the area has seen fluctuating violent-crime incidents in recent years, with targeted enforcement and community programs active in the most affected blocks.

Source: Local reporting and public safety press releases

Dorchester Center, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~75
Very Walkable — many errands can be done on foot (varies by block/address).
Transit Score ~70
Good / Excellent transit — close to Ashmont (Red Line) and Fairmount/commuter rail stops; multiple frequent bus routes (22, 23, 18, 15).
Bike Score ~60
Bikeable — some bike lanes and the Neponset Greenway provide decent off-street routes.
<25 min
To Downtown Boston by T: ~20–30 min from Ashmont (Red Line) or ~25–35 min via Talbot Ave / Fairmount + transfer depending on route and time of day.

Source: Walk Score (address-level scoring) + MBTA station pages and local reporting

Dorchester Center, Boston Summary

Overview

Dorchester Center is a diverse, community-centered neighborhood in southeast Boston (ZIP 02124) with long-standing local businesses, community organizations (Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester YMCA), and transit links via nearby Red Line and commuter-rail stops. It’s popular with families and renters seeking a neighborhood feel with direct access to Boston’s transit network, community schools, and neighborhood retail.

Key Features

  • Community hub: Active street-level retail on Washington St and Dorchester Ave with groceries, restaurants, and services.
  • Transit access: Close to Ashmont (Red Line) and commuter-rail/Fairmount stops — typical transit times to downtown ~20–35 minutes.
  • Parks & waterfront: Near Neponset River greenway and Pope John Paul II Park for outdoor recreation.
  • Education options: Several public and charter schools in/near the center including Codman Academy (K–12) and Henderson inclusion campuses.

Housing Snapshot

  • Mix of triple-decker apartment buildings, small owner-occupied units, and a rising number of renovated multi-family properties.
  • Rental market (ZIP 02124) shows one‑bedroom medians in the mid‑$2k range with broad stock from budget units to updated rentals.
  • Parking limited on some streets; resident permits and nearby garages are common considerations for car owners.