Apartments to rent in Mattapan, Boston

Mattapan is a residential neighborhood in southern Boston (ZIP 02126) centered on Mattapan Square and Blue Hill Avenue. The area mixes triple‑deckers, small apartment buildings and newer developments, with a strong community commercial strip, MBTA trolley access and easy access to the Neponset River greenway.

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Mattapan Average Fair Less Safe Good
Lower Mills Average Good Safe Good
Hyde Park Average Good Safe Fair
Roslindale Average Good Safe Excellent
Fields Corner Average Fair Less Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: RentHop / Zillow / Zumper (neighborhood listings & medians)

Mattapan, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,600 – $2,300
1 bedroom
$1,800 – $2,700
2 bedroom
$2,300 – $3,200
3 bedroom
$2,800 – $3,900

Source: RentHop / Zillow / Zumper (neighborhood listings & medians)

Rentals available in Mattapan, Boston

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Mattapan, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Mildred Avenue K-8

⭐ 3/10 GreatSchools
5 Mildred Ave, Boston, MA 02126
🧭 In‑neighborhood

Top Private Schools

Source: Homes.com / GreatSchools neighborhood school profiles

Mattapan, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Less Safe

Mattapan (BPD District B‑3) sees more violent‑crime incidents than the Boston average in several years’ reports and regular community alerts. Local sources and crime maps show frequent reports for assaults, thefts and occasional shootings along major corridors (Blue Hill Avenue, parts of River Street and near Mattapan Square). Community policing, BPD alerts and local violence‑prevention groups are active; crime is concentrated in specific blocks rather than evenly distributed across the neighborhood, so many streets remain residential and family‑oriented. Residents cite taking routine precautions around late‑night travel and busy commercial corridors.

Source: Boston Police / SpotCrime / AreaVibes (neighborhood crime estimates)

Mattapan, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~81
Very Walkable
Transit Score ~69
Good Transit
Bike Score ~72
Very Bikeable
<30–40 min
Mattapan Line (trolley) to Ashmont + Red Line into downtown typically takes ~30–40 minutes door‑to‑door; buses and Fairmount/Commuter Rail options add viable alternatives but can increase travel time during service changes or maintenance.

Source: WalkScore / MBTA schedules & rider reports

Mattapan, Boston Summary

Overview

Mattapan is a historically residential neighborhood in southern Boston centered on Mattapan Square and Blue Hill Avenue (ZIP 02126). The area mixes triple‑deckers and small apartment buildings with an active commercial strip serving a diverse, primarily immigrant community. Transit access via the Mattapan Line, multiple bus corridors and the Fairmount/commuter‑rail corridor makes the neighborhood practical for city workers; green spaces along the Neponset River add outdoors options.

Key Features

  • Community corridor: Blue Hill Avenue and Mattapan Square host a dense mix of restaurants, convenience stores, and locally owned businesses.
  • Transit access: Mattapan Line trolley to Ashmont and multiple bus routes connect the neighborhood to the rest of Boston.
  • Parks & greenway: Neponset River Reservation and neighborhood playgrounds provide outdoor recreation close by.
  • Housing stock: Many triple‑deckers, small multi‑family houses and newer infill rentals; good supply of 2–3 bedroom units.

Housing Snapshot

  • Rentals are typically more affordable than central Boston but have risen in recent years.
  • Most rental inventory is 1–3 bedroom units (triple‑deckers and small apartment buildings).