Apartments to rent in Downtown Crossing, Boston

Downtown Crossing is Boston’s compact, pedestrian shopping and transit district east of Boston Common and adjacent to the Financial District and Chinatown. The area is extremely walkable and transit-rich, with a mix of luxury high-rises and older lofts — and a rental market that ranges from budget studios to multimillion-dollar penthouses.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Downtown Crossing High Good Less Safe Excellent
Chinatown Average Good Safe Excellent
Financial District High Average Safe Excellent
Beacon Hill High Good Safe Excellent
Bay Village Average Good Safe Excellent
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zillow / local listings

Downtown Crossing, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,600 – $3,200
1 bedroom
$2,200 – $6,000
2 bedroom
$3,500 – $12,000
3 bedroom
$5,000 – $29,500

Source: Zillow / local listings

Rentals available in Downtown Crossing, Boston

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Downtown Crossing, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Josiah Quincy Upper School

⭐ 5/10 Boston Public Schools / local reporting
900 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
🧭 In-neighborhood (Chinatown/Downtown area)

Top Private Schools

Source: Boston Public Schools / local reporting

Downtown Crossing, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Less Safe

Downtown Crossing sits at the edge of Boston Common and the Financial District and has seen a noticeable uptick in retail theft, petty crime and quality-of-life incidents in recent reporting. Boston Police Department data and local outlets reported roughly 995 crimes in the Boston Common / Downtown Crossing area in 2024, prompting community meetings and increased enforcement efforts. Visitors and new residents should be aware of busy pedestrian areas and take standard urban precautions (keep valuables secure, avoid isolated streets at night).

Source: Boston Globe / Boston Police Department reporting

Downtown Crossing, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~97
Walker's Paradise (nearly everything within easy walking distance)
Transit Score ~100
Rider's Paradise (Downtown Crossing station and multiple MBTA connections)
Bike Score ~82
Very Bikeable
<10 min
To the Financial District / State Street by foot or a short T ride; South Station ~10–15 min on foot or 1–2 stops by T.

Source: WalkScore / MBTA

Downtown Crossing, Boston Summary

Overview

Downtown Crossing is Boston’s historic shopping node and a compact residential pocket surrounded by the Financial District, Boston Common and Chinatown. It’s ideal for renters who prioritize walkability and transit access and are comfortable paying a premium for centrality. The housing mix ranges from older brick lofts to luxury high-rises; the neighborhood has recently drawn attention for retail theft and quality-of-life concerns, even as developers bring food, grocery and residential amenities back to the area.

Key Features

  • Transit hub: Downtown Crossing station and short walks to Park Street and South Station make commuting across Boston very easy.
  • Shopping & dining: Historic department stores, national retailers and dozens of restaurants and cafes are centered on Washington, Winter and Summer Streets.
  • Parks & proximity: Immediate access to Boston Common and the Public Garden gives a rare downtown green-space advantage.
  • Varied housing stock: Everything from small studios and lofts to skyline-facing luxury units at Millennium Tower sits within blocks.

Housing Snapshot

  • High average rents with wide range — budget studios to ultra-luxury penthouses.
  • Low on-street parking availability; many residents rely on garages or transit.
  • Strong investor interest and significant retail foot traffic during business hours.