Dorchester, Boston, MA—02121

As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Dorchester, Boston, MA is $3,130, with a year-over-year rent change of 5.7%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Dorchester, Boston, MA is studios: $1,800, 1-bedrooms: $2,010, 2-bedrooms: $2,760, 3-bedrooms: $3,230, 4-bedrooms: $3,590. The most common rental property sizes in Dorchester, Boston, MA are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom, accounting for 41.9% and 25.8% of the rental stock.

As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Dorchester, Boston, MA has a population of 28,300, which has decreased by -5.4% over the past 5 years. Dorchester, Boston, MA is a popular place for families, as children make up 27.1% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 20.5% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 5.8% reporting working from home.

As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Dorchester, Boston, MA is a predominantly black area, with 48.0% of the population identifying as black. The black population has shrunk by 29.0% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Dorchester, Boston, MA is hispanic, making up 38.0% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 37.9% of the population in Dorchester, Boston, MA, and this percentage has increased by 16.6% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.

As of 2024, the percent of homes in Dorchester, Boston, MA under the Section 8 program is 55.1%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Dorchester, Boston, MA, none of the tracked home sizes currently have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting limited Section 8 opportunity.