Apartments to rent in North End, Boston

The North End sits inside Boston Police District A‑1 (which covers Beacon Hill, Downtown, Chinatown and the North End). Serious violent crime rates in A‑1 are lower than many other Boston districts, but property crime, theft from people and tourist-targeted petty theft are the most common incidents. Seasonal spikes (summer weekends, events, restaurant/nightlife activity) drive most complaints; local patrols and business-watch programs are active in the neighborhood.

Overview

The North End is Boston’s historic Little Italy: a dense, walkable waterfront neighborhood with narrow streets, long-established Italian restaurants and a mix of longtime residents and newer professionals. Its prime central location — steps from the Greenway, Haymarket and downtown — makes it highly desirable but also expensive and sometimes tourist-heavy.

Key Features

• Dining destination: Hanover Street and side streets host dozens of Italian restaurants, bakeries and specialty markets — a top draw for locals and visitors alike.
• Historic core: Home to Paul Revere House, Old North Church and North Square — strong colonial-era character and small public plazas.
• Walkability & transit: Exceptional walk score and immediate access to Haymarket and North Station for MBTA riders and commuter rail connections.
• Waterfront access: Christopher Columbus Park and Harborwalk provide green space and harbor views within a short walk.

Housing Snapshot

• Predominantly historic brick rowhouses, narrow apartment buildings and some newer condominium conversions.
• Rents run well above Boston median; 1BRs commonly start near $2k and often exceed $2.5k depending on finish and location.
• Limited parking and smaller unit footprints — ideal for walkers and transit users.