Dorchester, Boston, MA—02124
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Dorchester, Boston, MA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Dorchester, Boston, MA is $678,000, with a year-over-year change of 0.7%. This indicates that home prices in Dorchester, Boston, MA are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.9%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $678,000 | 0.7% |
| Single Family | $769,000 | 0.7% |
| Condos | $543,000 | 1.5% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $456,000 | 0.7% |
2 Bed | $546,000 | 1.5% |
3 Bed | $659,000 | 0.9% |
4 Bed | $786,000 | 0.9% |
| 5 Bed | $882,000 | 1.6% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Dorchester, Boston, MA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Dorchester, Boston, MA is $2,970, with a year-over-year rent change of -2.0%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Dorchester, Boston, MA is studios: $2,280, 1-bedrooms: $2,370, 2-bedrooms: $2,890, 3-bedrooms: $3,250, 4-bedrooms: $3,240. The most common rental property sizes in Dorchester, Boston, MA are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 38.8% and 32.6% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,950 | $2,970 |
| Studio Rent | $2,250 | $2,280 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,580 | $2,370 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $2,800 | $2,890 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $3,200 | $3,250 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $3,500 | $3,240 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Dorchester, Boston, MA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Dorchester, Boston, MA is 36. This is a increase of 29.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 39.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $639,000 | 4.0% |
Listing Count | 51 | 42.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.1% | 42.0% |
Days on Market | 36 | 29.0% |
Demographics — Dorchester, Boston, MA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Dorchester, Boston, MA has a population of 55,900, which has remained stable by 0.1% over the past 5 years. Dorchester, Boston, MA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 22.6% of the population. The area has a moderately educated workforce, with 31.1% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 13.5% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 55,900 | 0.1% |
% Under 18 | 22.6% | -5.0% |
% Seniors | 13.2% | 3.9% |
% WFH | 13.5% | 513.6% |
% w/ College Degree | 31.1% | 19.6% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Dorchester, Boston, MA is a predominantly black area, with 50.0% of the population identifying as black. The black population has shrunk by 19.4% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Dorchester, Boston, MA is white, making up 17.7% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 30.9% of the population in Dorchester, Boston, MA, and this percentage has increased by 2.3% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 17.7% | 6.0% |
% Black | 50.0% | -19.4% |
% Hispanic | 17.6% | 0.6% |
% Asian | 7.8% | 23.8% |
% Foreign Born | 30.9% | 2.3% |
Mortgage and Risk — Dorchester, Boston, MA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 410 mortgage originations in Dorchester, Boston, MA, of which 89.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 59.0%, with 17.0% above 90% LTV (elevated). This implies medium mortgage risk in Dorchester, Boston, MA. Investor activity is low, as 5.0% of loans were by investors. 9.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 410 |
% Conventional Loans | 89.0% |
% Government Loans | 11.0% |
% Investor Loans | 5.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 9.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Dorchester, Boston, MA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Dorchester, Boston, MA under the Section 8 program is 31.4%. 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 | 4,465 |
Total Units Section 8 | 3,594 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 31.4% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 96.4% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$440 | $2,580 | $2,140 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$250 | $2,800 | $2,550 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$120 | $3,200 | $3,080 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$110 | $3,500 | $3,390 |
Affordability — Dorchester, Boston, MA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 7.9 |
| Median Home Price | $678,000 |
| Median Household Income | $79,200 |