Boston MA › Market Report
Boston MA Housing Market Report — 2026
Boston Metro Market Overview
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median listing price (metro) | $829,000 | Realtor.com (Mar 2026) |
| Hotness rank | #15 of 300+ metros | Realtor.com Hotness Index |
| Hotness score | 91.0 / 100 | Realtor.com (Mar 2026) |
| Deed excise stamps | $4.56 per $1,000 (seller pays) | MA DOR (mass.gov/dor) |
| Foreclosure type | Non-judicial (power of sale, MGL Ch. 244) | MA Trial Court |
| Primary county | Suffolk County | — |
Neighborhood Price Ranges
| Neighborhood | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Back Bay / Beacon Hill | $900,000-$2,000,000+ |
| South Boston | $600,000-$900,000+ |
| Charlestown | $700,000-$1,000,000+ |
| Jamaica Plain | $550,000-$800,000 |
| Brighton | $550,000-$750,000 |
| East Boston | $500,000-$700,000 |
| Dorchester | $500,000-$650,000 |
| Roxbury | $400,000-$600,000 |
| Mattapan | $400,000-$550,000 |
| Hyde Park | $500,000-$600,000 |
| Cambridge (metro) | $700,000-$1,200,000+ |
| Quincy (metro) | $400,000-$600,000 |
Ranges approximate based on recent listing activity as of March 2026. Actual values depend on condition, lot size, and specific location. Neighborhood ranges are operational estimates, not source-measured median values. Source data: Redfin (Boston, March 2026); Zillow ZHVI CSV (March 2026).
What This Means for Sellers
According to Realtor.com's March 2026 Hotness Index, Boston ranked #15 nationally out of 300+ metros with a hotness score of 91.0 — reflecting strong demand and compressed supply across the metro. But for properties that need significant work — lead paint, old systems, structural issues — the buyer pool narrows sharply. Conventional lenders typically won't finance homes that fail inspection, which limits buyers to cash investors and renovation loan holders.
Per Redfin's March 2026 data, Boston's median sale price was $865,000 with homes averaging 33 days on market — up 11 days from the prior year — and a sale-to-list ratio of 98.3%. Hot homes sold in about 17 days and went 1% over list; typical homes sold about 2% under list in roughly 39 days. For properties that can't compete on condition, that typical scenario is optimistic.
At Boston's price points, carrying costs add up fast. A 5–6% agent commission on the metro median listing price of approximately $828,750 — per the Realtor.com series published by FRED (MEDLISPRI14460, March 2026) — runs $41,400–$49,700. Add Massachusetts deed excise stamps at $4.56 per $1,000 of sale price (per the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, mass.gov/dor), attorney fees, and repairs. For distressed or time-pressured sellers, a direct cash sale often nets more after all traditional costs are counted.
Boston Market Velocity — March 2026
Source: Redfin Boston Housing Market (redfin.com/city/1826/MA/Boston/housing-market), March 2026 data
| Metric | Value | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $865,000 | +3.0% |
| Median price per sq ft | $686 | −1.6% |
| Median days on market | 33 days | +11 days (was 22) |
| Homes sold | 336 | +9 (327 → 336) |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 98.3% | — |
| Redfin Compete Score | 68/100 — Somewhat Competitive | — |
Note: Redfin city-level metrics cover Boston proper. The metro median listing price ($828,750 via Realtor.com/FRED) covers the Boston-Cambridge-Newton CBSA and includes suburban markets. The two series measure different geographic areas.
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