Greater Boston Has More Apartment Availability, But No Rent Decreases

More apartments have become available for rent in Boston. The bad news, however, is that rental prices for these units have not decreased. 

According to information from the rental agency Boston Pads, the Real-Time Availability Rate (RTAR) has increased by over 16% for both the city of Boston and the Greater Boston area since September 2024. The RTARs are even higher compared to two years ago this month: 72.65% for the city of Boston and 85.12% for the Greater Boston area.

Despite the number of apartments for rent on the market, prices have not changed. The average rent price for a studio apartment in the city of Boston is currently $2,287 per month and $2,378 per month in the greater Boston area, as of Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The increase in apartment availability may be linked to the Trump administration's crackdown on student visas, which has led to fewer students renting apartments before the academic year.