Apartments to rent in Grove Hall, Boston

Grove Hall is a compact Dorchester neighborhood centered along Blue Hill Avenue and Columbia Road (covering ZIP 02121). Known for its long-standing small-business corridor, proximity to Franklin Park and local transit, Grove Hall offers mostly multi-family housing and a mix of affordable-to-moderate rental options compared with central Boston.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Grove Hall Average Fair Less Safe Good
Roxbury Average Good Less Safe Excellent
Uphams Corner Average Good Less Safe Good
Fields Corner Average Good Safe Good
Codman Square Low Fair Less Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: ACS / local listings (Zillow / Apartments.com)

Grove Hall, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,600 – $2,400
1 bedroom
$1,800 – $2,700
2 bedroom
$2,200 – $3,200
3 bedroom
$2,800 – $4,000

Source: ACS / local listings (Zillow / Apartments.com)

Rentals available in Grove Hall, Boston

Grove Hall, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 (MLK K-8)

Varies (district listings) Boston Public Schools / GreatSchools
Local Dorchester attendance area
🧭 Nearby, used by many Grove Hall families

Top Private Schools

St. Brendan School

Not rated (local private) School listing (local directories)
Dorchester area
🧭 ~1.0–1.5 mi

Source: Boston Public Schools / local reporting

Grove Hall, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Less Safe

Grove Hall (ZIP 02121 / Dorchester) has historically faced higher rates of property and violent crime compared with Boston’s citywide averages in some census tracts, and residents report concerns around certain commercial corridors and after-dark activity. The neighborhood benefits from active community organizations and increased patrols, but prospective renters should check specific block-level trends and recent police reports before choosing a unit.

Source: Neighborhood studies / local reporting

Grove Hall, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~75
Very Walkable
Transit Score ~72
Excellent Transit
Bike Score ~56
Somewhat Bikeable
<20 min
To Downtown Boston (Downtown Crossing / Government Center) by a combination of local bus + Orange Line from nearby stations in about 15–25 minutes depending on connections.

Source: Walk Score / Apartments listings

Grove Hall, Boston Summary

Overview

Grove Hall is a Dorchester sub-neighborhood centered on Blue Hill Avenue and Columbia Road (ZIP 02121) with a strong small-business corridor, multi-family housing stock, and immediate access to Franklin Park. The area is culturally diverse and community-oriented, with active neighborhood groups focused on commercial revitalization and local services.

Key Features

  • Transit & access: Good transit access via bus trunk routes on Blue Hill Ave and nearby Orange Line / commuter-rail connections making downtown reachable by T.
  • Parks: Close to Franklin Park and Franklin Park Zoo — major green-space asset for recreation and dog-walking.
  • Local commerce: Long-standing Blue Hill Ave retail corridor with grocery options, community markets (The Mecca at Grove Hall) and neighborhood restaurants.
  • Affordability: Rent levels in Grove Hall are generally lower than Boston core neighborhoods, offering options for renters priced out of central areas.

Housing Snapshot

  • Predominantly multi-family buildings and triple-deckers with a high renter share (ZIP 02121 has a high renter proportion).
  • Mix of market-rate rentals, subsidized housing, and some newer rehabbed units — rent ranges vary widely by building condition and proximity to Blue Hill Ave.
  • Vacancy is relatively tight compared with national averages; expect typical turnover in summer months.