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 November 27, 2023.

If you're a college student looking to move to Boston, you're probably wondering about the best neighborhoods to live in. You need an affordable place close to your college and near a T stop for easy commuting. Here are some of the best Boston neighborhoods for college students based on T stops and rent trends.

Fenway and Kenmore

Fenway and Kenmore are two distinct neighborhoods in close proximity to each other. They are often grouped together due to their geographic vicinity. Kenmore is home to Boston University, while Fenway is where Northeastern University is located. Additionally, 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 neighborhood. 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. Allston/Brighton is considered one of the more affordable Boston areas to live in. 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, but there are some 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. The University of Massachusetts Boston is in Dorchester, so it’s naturally a great option for students who attend the university, but the neighborhood also has several stops along the Red Line, allowing students to travel north through downtown and Cambridge. MIT and Harvard can be reached in about a 20- to 30-minute ride 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 another example of Boston’s locales that are associated with each other for their proximity. Coolidge Corner is the downtown district of Brookline and similar to 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, but it’s a great option for anyone looking for moderately priced apartments. The area is mainly residential and has two stops along the Orange Line, allowing students to travel into Downtown, Northeastern University, and the Colleges of the Fenway in about 30 or 40 minutes. Students can take 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 who attend other schools can take the Orange Line downtown and switch to the appropriate lines as well. There are also multiple bus stops in Malden, so having a car isn’t a necessity here.

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 options for students and short commute times. Of course, Chestnut Hill is a great choice for students who attend the institution, 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 travel to campus with ease. The Cleveland Circle and Reservoir stops are popular choices 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

Quincy, one of the best neighborhoods for college students, boasts a transit stop along the Red Line. Located approximately five miles north of Quincy, the University of Massachusetts Boston makes Quincy an excellent choice for students attending the university. The JFK/UMass stop provides convenient access to both Quincy and downtown. Quincy Center, another neighborhood with a transit stop on the Red Line, offers students easy access to restaurants, stores, grocers, and parks, ensuring they have all their necessities at hand. While MIT and Harvard University students may find these neighborhoods farther away, they can still reach campus within 25 or 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 in the Boston area like downtown, which is located directly north of the neighborhood. Here, students can still enjoy the city life while not being in the heart of it. 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

East Boston is the farthest away from many Boston colleges and universities, but it is one of the city’s top places for affordable rentals. Although some students might have to give up living close to campus, they can use the Blue Line to travel to the Downtown Crossing stop and hop onto the Green, Orange, or Red Lines to travel to campus. However, East Boston is an excellent option for students who attend Tufts University School of Medicine, Suffolk University, and Emerson College due to their proximity to the neighborhood. These schools also have easy access to T stops, including Tufts University School of Medicine, which has its own station on campus. Despite East Boston being the farthest away from most campuses, students can reach destinations in about 25 to 40 minutes.

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

Since Cambridge is home to Harvard University and MIT, it’s one of the most popular areas for students to live. However, it’s also one of the most expensive places to live in the Boston area since the demand for housing among students, faculty, and staff is so high. The price of rent varies greatly across Cambridge’s four main communities (Harvard Square, North Cambridge/Fresh Pond, East Cambridge, and Cambridge port), but as a general rule of thumb, the average price of rent is generally lower the farther away you travel from Harvard Square, the heart of Cambridge. 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 onto 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 makes 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 for its coffee shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots including bars and rock music clubs. 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 in 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 is located directly south of Back Bay and is home to Boston University School of Medicine, making it a common choice for BU dental and medical students. South End is a trendy neighborhood filled with fine dining restaurants, clubs, art galleries, and bars, so it’s usually more expensive. However, access to public transportation is excellent in South End. Along with several stops along the Orange Line, the Boston University Shuttle Bus connects students from the medical campus to the main campus along the Charles River for free. The shuttle has several stops along Massachusetts Avenue, which has several T stops, so students have plenty of options for traveling across Boston.

South End Average Rent Prices by the Bedroom

Popular South End T Stops

Orange Line: Ruggles, Back Bay, Massachusetts Avenue

Beacon Hill

Similar to Back Bay, Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most expensive neighborhoods. The area isn’t as popular among college students, but Beacon Hill does have two transit stops. The Charles Street stop on the Red Line allows for easy access to Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University, while the Bowdoin stop along the Blue Line allows for travel into the Financial District, 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 benefits of renting in Boston is having access to one of the largest mass transit systems in the country. The T stops listed in this article are popular stops for college students, but there are 153 T stops total in Boston’s subway system, so there are plenty of other options to choose from. Here’s a map of the MBTA system so you can determine which stops will be best for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.