Zip codes with the fastest growing rent in Massachusetts

Written by:
March 24, 2021
Updated on March 25, 2021
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Zip codes with the fastest growing rent in Massachusetts

Since the start of the 21st century and prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the cost of rent has skyrocketed across America. Every state in the nation saw a spike in the cost of apartments and other residential rentals. Places like Washington D.C., California, and Hawaii have seen rent prices more than double over the past two decades.

While the reasons for rent hikes may vary by locality, one of the major factors for higher costs is the overall decline in homeownership, which hit a peak of 66% in 2000. That, in turn, has led to more Americans turning to rentals, ultimately pushing up the amount landlords can charge. The problem is exacerbated by a shortage of construction workers, which makes it difficult for developers to boost the supply of available housing.

The coronavirus pandemic threw rental properties for a proverbial loop. The Census Bureau in April 2020 launched a Household Pulse Survey providing weekly updates on how individuals and families have been affected during the pandemic. Data show ongoing difficulties in finding work, affording food, and paying the rent. Meanwhile, the pandemic has created a "seesaw effect" on rent, with rental rates in the most expensive U.S. cities dropping while rental rates have gone up in historically less expensive areas.

Stacker compiled a list of zip codes with the fastest growing rent in Massachusetts using data from Zillow. Zip codes are ranked by the change in Zillow Observed Rent Index for all homes and apartments over the last year as of January 2021. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

#30. 02467 (Chestnut Hill)

- 1 year rent change: -4.2%
--- #32 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +17.3%
- Typical rent: $2,442
--- 6.0% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 200 Estate Dr, Chestnut Hill 02467 ($7,595)

#29. 02151 (Revere)

- 1 year rent change: -4.0%
--- #33 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +21.7%
- Typical rent: $2,066
--- 10.3% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 540 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere 02151 ($3,820)

#28. 02120 (Roxbury Crossing)

- 1 year rent change: -3.5%
--- #34 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +8.6%
- Typical rent: $3,669
--- 59.3% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 198 Hillside St, Boston 02120 ($3,100)

#27. 02131 (Roslindale)

- 1 year rent change: -3.3%
--- #35 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +19.0%
- Typical rent: $2,205
--- 4.3% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 390 Blue Ledge Dr, Roslindale 02131 ($3,034)

#26. 02466 (Auburndale)

- 1 year rent change: -3.1%
--- #36 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +13.4%
- Typical rent: $2,112
--- 8.3% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 54 Evergreen Ave Unit 1, Newton 02466 ($3,500)

#25. 02171 (Quincy)

- 1 year rent change: -3.1%
--- #37 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +5.6%
- Typical rent: $2,025
--- 12.1% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 95 W Squantum St, Quincy 02171 ($2,219)

#24. 02465 (West Newton)

- 1 year rent change: -2.3%
--- #38 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +7.1%
- Typical rent: $2,622
--- 13.9% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 1600 Washington St, West Newton 02465 ($2,625)

#23. 01760 (Natick)

- 1 year rent change: -1.9%
--- #39 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +9.8%
- Typical rent: $1,896
--- 17.7% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 3 Superior Dr, Natick 01760 ($4,159)

#22. 02458 (Newton)

- 1 year rent change: -1.8%
--- #40 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +10.3%
- Typical rent: $2,301
--- 0.1% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 49 Pearl St Apt 1, Newton 02458 ($3,000)

#21. 02169 (Quincy)

- 1 year rent change: -1.7%
--- #41 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +16.7%
- Typical rent: $1,982
--- 13.9% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 33 Furnace Ave, Quincy 02169 ($3,200)

#20. 02474 (Arlington)

- 1 year rent change: -1.5%
--- #42 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +14.2%
- Typical rent: $2,152
--- 6.6% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 438 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington 02474 ($2,950)

#19. 02184 (Braintree)

- 1 year rent change: -0.8%
--- #43 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +8.8%
- Typical rent: $2,459
--- 6.8% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 25 Commercial St, Braintree 02184 ($2,505)

#18. 02124 (Dorchester Center)

- 1 year rent change: -0.3%
--- #44 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +24.5%
- Typical rent: $2,263
--- 1.7% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 1137 Washington St, Boston 02124 ($2,575)

#17. 02132 (West Roxbury)

- 1 year rent change: -0.1%
--- #45 fastest falling rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +14.9%
- Typical rent: $2,139
--- 7.1% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 1235 Vfw Pkwy, West Roxbury 02132 ($4,250)

#16. 02121 (Dorchester)

- 1 year rent change: +0.9%
--- #15 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +31.5%
- Typical rent: $2,453
--- 6.5% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 224-236 Seaver St, Boston 02121 ($1,876)

#15. 01752 (Marlborough)

- 1 year rent change: +1.2%
--- #14 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +22.8%
- Typical rent: $1,666
--- 27.7% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 740 Farm Rd, Marlborough 01752 ($1,679)

#14. 01610 (Worcester)

- 1 year rent change: +1.9%
--- #3 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Worcester, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +35.0%
- Typical rent: $1,403
--- 5.3% less than typical rent in Worcester, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 45 Grand St, Worcester 01610 ($1,850)

#13. 01960 (Peabody)

- 1 year rent change: +2.1%
--- #12 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +20.3%
- Typical rent: $1,875
--- 18.6% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 143 Shore Dr, Peabody 01960 ($2,750)

#12. 01851 (Lowell)

- 1 year rent change: +2.2%
--- #11 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +22.9%
- Typical rent: $1,443
--- 37.3% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 678 Princeton Blvd, Lowell 01851 ($2,050)

#11. 01852 (Lowell)

- 1 year rent change: +3.1%
--- #10 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +26.4%
- Typical rent: $1,672
--- 27.4% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 11 Allen St, Lowell 01852 ($1,535)

#10. 02360 (Plymouth)

- 1 year rent change: +3.9%
--- #8 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +23.4%
- Typical rent: $2,124
--- 7.8% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 220 Wareham Rd, Plymouth 02360 ($3,228)

#9. 01701 (Framingham)

- 1 year rent change: +4.1%
--- #7 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +21.3%
- Typical rent: $2,082
--- 9.6% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 23 Auburn St, Framingham 01701 ($1,799)

#8. 01950 (Newburyport)

- 1 year rent change: +5.0%
--- #5 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +23.7%
- Typical rent: $2,051
--- 10.9% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 254 Water St, Newburyport 01950 ($3,000)

#7. 01902 (Lynn)

- 1 year rent change: +5.8%
--- #4 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +33.8%
- Typical rent: $1,612
--- 30.0% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 11 Beach Rd, Lynn 01902 ($1,780)

#6. 01609 (Worcester)

- 1 year rent change: +5.8%
--- #2 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Worcester, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +34.4%
- Typical rent: $1,382
--- 6.7% less than typical rent in Worcester, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 21 Salisbury St, Worcester 01609 ($2,589)

#5. 02119 (Roxbury)

- 1 year rent change: +5.8%
--- #3 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +27.2%
- Typical rent: $2,835
--- 23.1% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 13 Shetland St, Roxbury 02119 ($2,750)

#4. 02760 (North Attleboro)

- 1 year rent change: +6.1%
--- #5 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Providence, RI metro
- 5 year rent change: +28.9%
- Typical rent: $1,420
--- 12.9% less than typical rent in Providence, RI metro

- Pictured (for rent): 21 East St, North Attleboro 02760 ($1,972)

#3. 01970 (Salem)

- 1 year rent change: +7.0%
--- #2 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +31.6%
- Typical rent: $1,992
--- 13.5% less than typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 12 Heritage Dr, Salem 01970 ($1,880)

#2. 01605 (Worcester)

- 1 year rent change: +7.6%
--- #1 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Worcester, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +36.8%
- Typical rent: $1,509
--- 1.8% above typical rent in Worcester, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 511 Plantation St, Worcester 01605 ($2,045)

#1. 02122 (Dorchester)

- 1 year rent change: +8.1%
--- #1 fastest growing rent among zip codes in Boston, MA metro
- 5 year rent change: +40.6%
- Typical rent: $2,425
--- 5.3% above typical rent in Boston, MA metro

- Pictured (for rent): 725 Adams St, Dorchester 02122 ($1,995)

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