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Boston MA Housing Market Report — 2026
May 2026 Market Refresh
Last updated: compiled June 2026 from May 2026 source data
| Redfin median sale price | $851,990 |
|---|---|
| Year over year | +1.91% |
| Median days on market | 26 median days on market |
| Homes sold | 1,219 homes sold |
| Zillow ZHVI | $786,208 |
Boston MA Redfin median sale price: $851,990 (+1.91% YoY, May 2026). Boston MA Zillow ZHVI: $786,208. Zillow source label: Zillow Research city ZHVI as of 2026-05-31. Source scope: Redfin Data Center city row, May 2026. Market data is background context only; property-specific value still depends on condition, title, occupancy, repairs, payoff, liens, and closing timeline.
Boston Metro Market Overview
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median listing price (metro) | $829,000 | Realtor.com (prior public-page snapshot) |
| Hotness rank | #15 of 300+ metros | Realtor.com Hotness Index |
| Hotness score | 91.0 / 100 | Realtor.com (prior public-page snapshot) |
| 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 prior public-page snapshot. Actual values depend on condition, lot size, and specific location. Neighborhood ranges are operational estimates, not source-measured median values. Source data: Redfin (Boston, prior public-page snapshot); Zillow ZHVI CSV (prior public-page snapshot).
What This Means for Sellers
According to Realtor.com's prior public-page snapshot 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 prior public-page snapshot 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, prior public-page snapshot) — 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 — May 2026 Refresh
Source: Redfin May 2026 city page
| 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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May 2026 source-backed market snapshot
Boston MA market data
- Redfin median sale price
- $851,990
- Redfin YoY
- +1.91%
- Median days on market
- 26 median days on market
- Homes sold
- 1,219 homes sold
- Zillow ZHVI
- $786,208
Boston MA Redfin median sale price: $851,990 (+1.91% YoY, May 2026). Boston MA Zillow ZHVI: $786,208. Zillow source label: Zillow Research city ZHVI as of 2026-05-31. Source scope: Redfin Data Center city row, May 2026. Market data is background context only, not a property-specific offer or value promise.