Apartments to rent in Downtown, Boston

Downtown is Boston’s commercial and historic core — home to City Hall, the Financial District, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and a dense mix of condos, apartments and offices. The neighborhood spans several central ZIPs (02108, 02109, 02110 and 02111) and is exceptionally walkable and transit-rich, making it a popular choice for professionals and renters who want central-city access.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Downtown High Fair Safe Excellent
Beacon Hill High Good Very Safe Excellent
Back Bay High Good Safe Excellent
North End Average Good Safe Excellent
Chinatown Average Fair Fair Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zumper

Downtown, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$2,800 – $3,500
1 bedroom
$3,000 – $3,800
2 bedroom
$4,000 – $5,200
3 bedroom
$5,000 – $7,000

Source: Zumper

Rentals available in Downtown, Boston

Get Listings with Nmbr AI Rent Agent

Downtown, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

McKinley Elementary School

⭐ Not rated Boston Public Schools
90 Warren Ave, Boston, MA 02116
🧭 ~0.8–1.0 mi (Back Bay / near Downtown)

Top Private Schools

Park Street School

⭐ Not rated School website
67 Brimmer St, Boston, MA 02108 (Beacon Hill)
🧭 ~0.4–0.8 mi (Beacon Hill, walkable)

Commonwealth School

⭐ Not rated School website
151 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116
🧭 ~1.0 mi (Back Bay, short transit/bike)

Source: GreatSchools / Boston Public Schools / Realtor.com

Downtown, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

Downtown is a busy commercial and tourist district; daytime foot traffic and late-night activity mean most calls are for property crime, theft and occasional disorderly-conduct incidents. Violent crime is lower than in some outer neighborhoods but property crime and pickpocketing are more common in high-foot-traffic areas (Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Downtown Crossing). Keep common-sense precautions: lock bikes, avoid leaving bags unattended and use secure package delivery where possible.

Source: Boston.gov / Boston Police incident reporting

Downtown, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~99
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score ~100
Rider's Paradise
Bike Score ~85
Very Bikeable
<10 min
To key downtown destinations by subway or on foot; South Station and North Station are within 10–15 minutes on foot or 5–10 minutes by local transit.

Source: WalkScore.com

Downtown, Boston Summary

Overview

Downtown is Boston’s historic, commercial and transportation hub — a densely built neighborhood with top-tier walkability and direct access to subway lines, commuter rail at South Station, and a huge selection of restaurants, theaters and offices. The housing mix ranges from luxury high-rises and converted lofts to smaller walk-up apartments. Downtown is highly desirable for professionals and renters who prioritize short commutes and access to city amenities.

Key Features

  • Transit hub: Multiple MBTA lines converge in Downtown (Downtown Crossing, Park Street, Government Center, State, South Station) making nearly any part of Boston reachable quickly.
  • Historic & cultural core: Home to the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the Greenway and several theaters.
  • Walker’s paradise: Exceptional walk and transit scores — many errands don’t require a car.
  • Financial district access: Close to major employers, law and financial firms concentrated in the Financial District.

Housing Snapshot

  • High demand, comparatively high rents versus city average.
  • Mix of short-stay/condo conversions and professional rental buildings.
  • Parking is limited and often expensive; many renters opt to go car-free.