Living in Dorchester, Boston

Monthly rent in USD ($). First-hand contracts come straight from the landlord or housing company. Second-hand contracts are sublets, and they usually cost more.

Within AffordWhere's Boston dataset, a one-bedroom here averages about $2,250/month — roughly 24% below the city median, and among the more affordable of the 9 areas we track. Two-bedrooms run $2,500 - $3,100/month and three-bedrooms $3,100 - $3,800/month on second-hand contracts. At 25 minutes to the center by metro, it sits farther out than most Boston areas in the set. On safety it rates 3/5, among the lower-rated in the city. Based on its rent, commute, and the diverse, affordable, community tags, it may suit renters weighing rent against commute.

Weighing options? For a shorter commute, see Beacon Hill.

Rent figures reflect official statistics compiled January 2026. See data sources.

OpenStreetMap maps Fields Corner as the nearest metro stop, Ronan Park as nearby green space and Dorchester Food Co-op as the nearest supermarket around the Dorchester reference point. A school is also mapped within walking distance. It also shows several cafés and restaurants mapped within about 700m of that point.

Amenity data from OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). The extracted amenity dataset is published under the same license.

How much is rent in Dorchester, Boston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Dorchester costs $2,000 - $2,500/month (second-hand contract) or $1,800 - $2,200/month (first-hand). A 2-bedroom ranges from $2,500 - $3,100/month, and a 3-bedroom from $3,100 - $3,800/month.

Is Dorchester safe for expats?

Dorchester has a safety rating of 3/5 (Moderate) on our scale. That is mid-scale; standard urban precautions are advisable.

How long is the commute from Dorchester to Boston center?

The commute from Dorchester to Boston city center takes approximately 25 minutes by metro.

What is Dorchester like to live in?

Boston largest neighborhood. Diverse communities, Vietnamese pho, and the JFK Presidential Library. In our data it is tagged as diverse, affordable, community.