Best Boston Neighborhoods for College Students Based on T Stops and Rent Trends

This post, Best Boston Neighborhoods for College Students Based on T Stops and Rent Trends," was originally published on the Apartments.com Renterverse on October 19, 2022 and was updated on December 23, 2024.

Boston is home to some of the nation’s most esteemed colleges and universities. Here, you’ll see that the local rental market largely consists of students seeking convenient and affordable living options. However, with so many neighborhoods to choose from and minimal renting experience, students might struggle to find the perfect off-campus rental.

If you’re an incoming student at a Boston university or college, we’re here to help you start your apartment search. Below, we’ve compiled a guide on the best Boston neighborhoods for college students based on affordability and access to public transportation. Here are some of our top picks:

Fenway and Kenmore

Fenway and Kenmore are popular neighborhoods for students. Though two distinct areas, Fenway and Kenmore are often grouped together due to their geographic proximity. Kenmore is home to Boston University, while Fenway boasts Northeastern University. Along with these institutions, Fenway/Kenmore is the hub for the Colleges of the Fenway, which comprises Emmanuel College, Simmons University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Notably, Harvard Medical School can also be found in this area. Fenway/Kenmore is easily accessible via the Green Line, with most stops conveniently located within a 10-minute walk from these institutions. Both Boston University and Northeastern University have their own dedicated stops.

Fenway Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom 

Kenmore Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Fenway/Kenmore T Stops

Green Line: Longwood Medical Area, Museum of Fine Arts, Northeastern University, Fenway, Kenmore, Boston University Central and East

Orange Line: Massachusetts Ave, Ruggles

Allston and Brighton

Similar to Kenway/Fenmore, Allston and Brighton are often lumped together due to their proximity to each other. These neighborhoods are considered some of the most affordable options in the Boston metropolitan area. Allston is home to Harvard Business School, while a portion of Boston College is in Brighton. The neighborhood also provides easy access to Boston University and the Colleges of the Fenway via the Green Line. Students can use the Green Line to travel to the Red Line, allowing for a 25 to 40-minute ride on the T to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

Allston Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Brighton Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Allston/Brighton T Stops

Green Line: Harvard Avenue, Packards Corner, Boston College, Cleveland Circle, Chestnut Hill

Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain, one of Boston's most affordable neighborhoods, offers convenient access to various institutions through its stops along the Orange Line and the Green Line. It is particularly popular among students from the Colleges of the Fenway, Northeastern University, Emerson College, and Boston University, as these campuses are easily accessible via the Green and Orange Lines. While Harvard University and MIT are slightly farther away, students can still reach these campuses within 30 to 40 minutes by utilizing the Green and Orange Lines in combination with the Red Line.

Jamaica Plain Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Jamaica Plain T Stops

Green Line: Heath Street, Back of the Hill, Riverway

Orange Line: Green Street, Stony Brook, Jackson Square

Roxbury

Located east of Jamaica Plain and south of Fenway/Kenmore, Roxbury is another Boston neighborhood known for its more affordable options. Students living in Lower Roxbury have easy access to Roxbury Crossing and Ruggles along the Orange Line. However, students also have the option to travel by foot when living in apartments within walking distance of Northeastern University and the Colleges of the Fenway. Roxbury also has multiple bus stops, making traveling across Boston that much easier.

Roxbury Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Lower Roxbury Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Roxbury T Stops

Orange Line: Roxbury Crossing, Jackson Square

Dorchester

Dorchester is known for its more affordable rental options and short commute times. This area is home to the University of Massachusetts Boston campus, making it a popular spot among students. Residents love the area’s abundance of stops along the Red Line, allowing easy travel north through downtown and Cambridge. MIT and Harvard can be reached in about 20-30 minutes on the T.

Dorchester Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Dorchester T Stops

Red Line: Fields Corner, JFK / UMass

Brookline and Coolidge Corner

Brookline and Coolidge Corner are other examples of Boston’s locales grouped together because of proximity. Coolidge Corner is the downtown district of Brookline, and like other urban commercial hubs, apartments in adjacent communities are usually more expensive. Brookline and Coolidge Corner have multiple stops along the Green Line, including several that will take students directly to Boston University or within a short walk of Boston College, Harvard Medical School, and the Colleges of the Fenway.

Brookline Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Coolidge Corner Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Brookline and Coolidge Corner T Stops

Green Line: Washington Square, Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village, Chestnut Hill

Malden

Malden is a suburb just north of Boston with a wide selection of moderately priced apartments. The area is mainly residential and has two stops along the Orange Line, allowing students to travel to Downtown, Northeastern University, and the Colleges of the Fenway in about 30-40 minutes. Students can take the Malden’s Oak Grove or Malden Center stop to the Ruggles Street station, which is located next to Northeastern University and within walking distance of the Colleges of the Fenway. Students attending other schools can take the Orange Line downtown and switch to another line. Or, they can also take advantage of Malden’s multiple bus routes.

Malden Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Malden T Stops

Orange Line: Malden Center, Oak Grove

Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill is home to Boston College and is known for its affordable off-campus rental options and short commute times. Of course, Chestnut Hill is a great choice for Boston College students, but it’s also a convenient spot for students who go to Boston University and the Colleges of the Fenway. Chestnut Hill has multiple stops along the Green Line, allowing students to easily travel to campus. The Cleveland Circle and Reservoir stops are popular among undergraduate students since they allow students to travel to campus in about 15 or 20 minutes.

Chestnut Hill Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Chestnut Hill T Stops

Green Line: Boston College, Cleveland Circle, Reservoir

Quincy

Located approximately five miles north of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Quincy is a great option for off-campus renting. This area boasts a transit stop along the Red Line, along with a JFK/UMass stop that provides easy access to downtown. Quincy Center, another neighborhood with a transit stop on the Red Line, offers students easy access to restaurants, stores, grocery stores, and parks, ensuring they have all their necessities close by. While MIT and Harvard University students may find these neighborhoods farther away, they can still reach campus within 25-30 minutes using the Red Line.

Quincy Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

South Quincy Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Quincy Center Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Quincy T Stops

Red Line: Quincy Center Station, North Quincy

South Boston

South Boston is slightly less expensive than other popular communities like downtown Boston, which is located directly north of the neighborhood. Here, students can enjoy the city life without the expensive price tag. South Boston is accessible via the JFK/UMass, Andrew, and Broadway stops along the Red Line. Students can use these stops to travel directly to Cambridge or downtown and switch to the Orange and Green Lines.

South Boston Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular South Boston Stops

Red Line: Broadway, Andrew, JFK/UMass

East Boston

Although a bit farther away from Boston colleges and universities, East Boston is great for students on a budget. This area is considered one of the city’s top places for affordable rentals and boasts several options for convenient commuting. Students can use the Blue Line to travel to the Downtown Crossing stop and hop onto the Green, Orange, or Red Lines to make it to campus in about 25 to 40 minutes. This area is widely popular among students from the Tufts University School of Medicine, Suffolk University, and Emerson College.

East Boston Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Maverick Square Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Harbor View-Orient Heights Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular East Boston T Stops

Blue Line: Maverick, Orient Heights, Airport

Cambridge

Home to Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge is one of the most popular areas for students to live. However, because of its popularity and demand, it’s also one of the most expensive places to live in the Boston area. The price of rent varies greatly across Cambridge’s four main communities (Harvard Square, North Cambridge/Fresh Pond, East Cambridge, and Cambridge port). Generally, you’ll find that the average price of rent is lower the farther away you travel from Harvard Square. The Red Line is the primary route in Cambridge and has several stops near Harvard and MIT that are within a 15-minute walk or less of campus. The Red Line travels into Downtown Crossing, which is where students can travel to enjoy the heart of Boston or switch to another transit line.

Cambridge Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Cambridge T Stops

Red Line: Harvard, Davis Square, Central, Kendall/MIT

Somerville

Somerville is a Boston suburb located just north of Cambridge and south of Medford. Along with its affordability, Somerville’s central location and downtown district make it a common home for students who attend Tufts University, Harvard, and MIT.  The heart of Somerville, Davis Square, is a popular locale among students from all three institutions and is recognized for its coffee shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The Davis Station stop along the Red Line is just several T stops from Harvard University and MIT. Somerville renters also have access to the Community College and Sullivan Square stops along the Orange Line, allowing for travel to Northeastern and the Colleges of the Fenway or a line switch downtown. Somerville also has multiple bus stops for students to use.

Somerville Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Somerville T Stops

Red Line: Davis Square

Orange Line: Community College, Sullivan Square

Back Bay

Between Back Bay’s incredible central location, world-class shopping and dining options, and historic charm, it’s clear why the neighborhood is one of Boston’s most expensive places to live. Along with several MIT fraternity houses, Back Bay is home to the Berklee College of Music, Boston Architectural College, and Boston University’s Danielsen Hall. However, since the area tends to be more expensive, students flock to nearby neighborhoods that are less expensive like Fenway-Kenmore, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain. Back Bay has several stops along the Green Line, allowing for easy travel to Boston University, Emerson College, the Colleges of the Fenway, and Northeastern University. The Massachusetts Avenue and Back Bay stops allow MIT and Harvard students to travel downtown before crossing over to the Red Line.

Back Bay Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Back Bay T Stops

Green Line: Prudential, Copley, Arlington, Hynes Convention Center

Orange Line: Back Bay, Massachusetts Avenue

South End

South End, located just south of Back Bay, is a popular neighborhood for Boston University medical and dental students thanks to its proximity to the BU School of Medicine. Known for its lively atmosphere, the area boasts trendy restaurants, shops, art galleries, and a bustling nightlife—though its appeal comes with higher rent prices. South End also stands out for its excellent public transportation options. The neighborhood is well-served by several Orange Line stops, and the free Boston University Shuttle conveniently connects the medical campus to the main campus along the Charles River. With multiple stops along Massachusetts Avenue, which also features several T stations, students have plenty of convenient ways to navigate the city.

South End Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular South End T Stops

Orange Line: Ruggles, Back Bay, Massachusetts Avenue

Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill, much like Back Bay, is among Boston’s most prestigious and expensive neighborhoods. The area is well-connected by two key transit stops. The Charles Street stop on the Red Line offers convenient access to Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University, while the Bowdoin stop on the Blue Line provides seamless commutes to the Financial District, the Waterfront, and East Boston.

Beacon Hill Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular Beacon Hill T Stops

Red Line: Charles/MGH, Park Street

One of the perks of renting in Boston is easy access to one of the largest and most comprehensive mass transit systems in the country. While this guide highlights popular T stops for college students, Boston’s subway system boasts a total of 153 stops, offering plenty of options to suit your needs.

To help you decide which stops work best for you, check out this MBTA system map.

Updated December 23, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jamia Kenan

Hi, I'm Jamia! I have moved over 10 times in my life, so I'm a little bit of a modern-day nomad. Writing is my first love, but I also enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, snapping photos, and watching Netflix.