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  5. /Dorchester, Boston, MA - 02121

Dorchester, Boston, MA—02121

Real Estate Data & Market Trends

Key Metrics at a Glance

Median Home Value
$660,000
2.1% YoY Growth
Household Income
$38,600
25.6% YoY Growth
Days on Market
37
0.0% Longer YoY
Home Price Forecast
1.1%
Median Rent
$3,300
5.7% YoY Growth
1-Bed Rent
$2,150
5.2% YoY Growth
2-Bed Rent
$2,700
5.3% YoY Growth
3-Bed Rent
$3,400
0.6% YoY Growth

Other Zip Codes in Dorchester, Boston, MA

021240212202125
  • Home Price Trends
  • Rental Trends
  • Property Listings
  • Demographics
  • Mortgage and Risk

Home Price Trends — Dorchester, Boston, MA

As of May '26, the median home price in Dorchester, Boston, MA is $660,000, with a year-over-year change of -2.1%. This indicates that home prices in Dorchester, Boston, MA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.1%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.

Cost per Home Type

Home TypeMedian Home ValueYoY % Change
All Homes
$660,000-2.1%
Single Family $799,0000.1%
Condos $494,000-2.2%

Cost per Home Size

Home SizeMedian Home ValueYoY % Change
1 Bed

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  • Affordability
  • Rentals and Section 8
    • N/A
    N/A
    2 Bed
    		$462,000-3.1%
    3 Bed
    		$570,000-1.4%
    4 Bed
    		$673,000-1.0%
    5 Bed $773,473-2.7%
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    % of Housing Stock

    Studio
    1.7%
    1 Bedroom
    15.8%
    2 Bedrooms
    38.9%
    3 Bedrooms
    28.2%
    4 Bedrooms
    9.6%
    5+ Bedrooms
    5.8%

    Rental Trends — Dorchester, Boston, MA

    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.

    TypeMedian RentAverage Rent
    Average Rent$3,300$3,130
    Studio Rent $1,800$1,800
    1 Bed Rent $2,150$2,010
    2 Bed Rent $2,700$2,760
    3 Bed Rent $3,400$3,230
    4 Bed Rent $3,700$3,590
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    % of Rental Stock

    Studio
    2.3%
    1 Bedroom
    19.3%
    2 Bedrooms
    41.9%
    3 Bedrooms
    25.8%
    4 Bedrooms
    9.5%
    5+ Bedrooms
    1.1%

    Property Listings — Dorchester, Boston, MA

    As of May '26, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Dorchester, Boston, MA is 37. This is a decrease of 0.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market about the same amount of time than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 21.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.

    MetricZip Code AverageYear over Year % Change
    Median Listing Price
    		$649,0007.0%
    Listing Count
    		199.0%
    Listings as % of Homes0.1%9.0%
    Days on Market
    		370.0%
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    Demographics — Dorchester, Boston, MA

    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.

    MetricLatest CensusYoY % Change
    Population
    		28,300-5.4%
    % Under 18
    		27.1%0.7%
    % Seniors
    		12.4%4.2%
    % WFH
    		5.8%286.7%
    % w/ College Degree
    		20.5%20.6%
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    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.

    Race and Ethnicity

    MetricLatest Census5-Year % Change
    % White
    		7.1%144.8%
    % Black
    		48.0%-29.0%
    % Hispanic
    		38.0%21.0%
    % Asian
    		1.4%180.0%
    % Foreign Born
    		37.9%16.6%
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    Mortgage and Risk — Dorchester, Boston, MA

    According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 101 mortgage originations in Dorchester, Boston, MA, of which 89.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 58.0%, with 16.0% above 90% LTV (elevated). This implies medium mortgage risk in Dorchester, Boston, MA. Investor activity is low, as 10.0% of loans were by investors. 11.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.

    Mortgages

    MetricZip Code Average
    Total Loan Originations
    		101
    % Conventional Loans
    		89.0%
    % Government Loans
    		11.0%
    % Investor Loans
    		10.0%
    % Second Loans
    		0.0%
    % Cash Out Refinance
    		11.0%
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    Rentals and Section 8 — Dorchester, Boston, MA

    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.

    Section 8 Market Size

    Total Units under HUD
    		4,498
    Total Units Section 8
    		4,334
    % Rentals under Section 8
    		55.1%
    % Occupied Section 8
    		93.7%

    Section 8 Opportunity

    Home SizeHUD PremiumMarket RentMax HUD Rent
    1 Bedroom-$10$2,150$2,140
    2 Bedroom-$150$2,700$2,550
    3 Bedroom-$320$3,400$3,080
    4 Bedroom-$310$3,700$3,390

    Affordability — Dorchester, Boston, MA

    Home Price to Income Ratio

    MetricZip Code Average
    Home Price to Income Ratio16.3
    Median Home Price$660,000
    Median Household Income$38,600

    Dorchester, Boston, MA — ZIP Code Boundary Map

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    Nearby ZIP Codes

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    02119

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    Mattapan, Boston, MA

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    Frequently Asked Questions