Apartments to rent in Jamaica Plain, Boston

Jamaica Plain ("JP") is a large, park-rich neighborhood in southwest Boston (primarily ZIP 02130 with a small portion served by 02119). JP blends dense retail corridors (Hyde/Center/Forest Hills) with big green spaces — Jamaica Pond, the Arnold Arboretum and Olmsted Park — and strong transit links (Orange Line + buses). The neighborhood is popular with families, walkers, and cyclists and has a lively restaurant scene along Centre Street and in Hyde Square.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Jamaica Plain High Good Safe Excellent
Mission Hill High Good Safe Excellent
Roxbury Average Fair Less Safe Good
Roslindale Average Good Safe Good
West Roxbury Average Excellent Very Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Apartments.com (neighborhood rent estimates)

Jamaica Plain, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$2,100 – $2,900
1 bedroom
$2,400 – $3,200
2 bedroom
$2,800 – $3,800
3 bedroom
$3,300 – $4,800

Source: Apartments.com (neighborhood rent estimates)

Rentals available in Jamaica Plain, Boston

Get Listings with Nmbr AI Rent Agent

Jamaica Plain, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Curley K-8 School

⭐ 6/10 GreatSchools
493 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
🧭 In-neighborhood (Hyde Square / Centre St).

James W. Hennigan K-8 School

⭐ Not rated GreatSchools / NCES
200 Heath St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
🧭 In-neighborhood (near Heath St / Forest Hills area).

Community Academy

⭐ Not rated NCES
25 Glen Rd, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
🧭 In-neighborhood (secondary options).

Top Private Schools

Roxbury Latin School

⭐ Not rated School website
101 Saint Theresa Ave, West Roxbury, MA
🧭 ~2–3 mi (West Roxbury) — commonly used private option for JP families.

The Park School (Brookline)

⭐ Not rated School website
171 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA
🧭 ~2–4 mi (popular independent elementary option near Jamaica Pond).

Source: NCES / GreatSchools / Boston Public Schools

Jamaica Plain, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

Jamaica Plain is generally safer than some nearby central-city neighborhoods for violent crime, but like much of Boston it experiences frequent property crimes (thefts, car break‑ins) and occasional disorder incidents. Boston Police District E‑13 (which covers JP) runs community CompStat meetings and regular patrols; residents should use standard urban precautions, avoid leaving valuables visible in cars, and consult the BPD public journal for incident details and community alerts.

Source: Boston Police Department (community CompStat / public alerts)

Jamaica Plain, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~88
Walker's Paradise / Very Walkable (walk score varies by exact block; Centre St/Hyde Square is especially walkable).
Transit Score ~72
Excellent Transit — Orange Line + many bus routes (Route 39 is a primary corridor) provide frequent service to downtown and Longwood.
Bike Score ~82
Very Bikeable — Southwest Corridor bike path and Emerald Necklace routes make cycling practical.
<15 min
Typical subway trip to Downtown/Back Bay from Forest Hills/Jackson Square is roughly 10–20 minutes on the Orange Line; Route 39 and Green Line connections also provide frequent service.

Source: WalkScore / MBTA / Boston.gov transit planning

Jamaica Plain, Boston Summary

Overview

Jamaica Plain is a park-forward, diverse Boston neighborhood known for its leafy streets, the Arnold Arboretum and Jamaica Pond, and lively commercial strips around Centre Street and Hyde Square. It attracts families, outdoor enthusiasts and renters seeking a city neighborhood with a quieter, village feel and strong transit links. Housing is a mix of Victorian rowhouses, triple-deckers and newer apartment buildings.

Key Features

  • Parks & green space: Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond and Olmsted Park give JP unusually large and connected open space for a city neighborhood.
  • Transit access: Multiple Orange Line stops, bus corridors (including the busy Route 39) and Green Line connections make downtown and Longwood reachable quickly.
  • Dining & local shops: Centre Street and Hyde Square host a broad mix of restaurants, cafes, and independent shops with strong Latin American and international influences.
  • Family-friendly: Good parks, green schools options and a neighborhood feel draw families and long-term residents.

Housing Snapshot

  • Strong demand and rising rents: typical 1BR rents average in the upper-$2k range, with newer buildings commanding premiums.
  • Mix of housing: Victorian homes, triple-deckers and newer mid-rise apartment buildings.
  • Parking pressure: many blocks have resident permit zones; garages are limited and typically cost extra.