$1,796,177Average Value$1,598Average Price per Sq Ft112Homes For Sale
Back Bay is home to retail districts, city landmarks and brownstones
Historic brownstones and iconic Boston landmarks rise from the bustling streets of Back Bay. Situated on the south bank of the Charles River and bordered by the Public Garden, the neighborhood is right in the heart of the city. Commonwealth Avenue, a scenic thoroughfare modeled after a Parisian boulevard, runs parallel to the trendy shopping and dining district on Newbury Street. The Prudential Center, one of the crown jewels of the Boston skyline, towers over the Mass Pike tunnel. Commuters are minutes away from Northeastern University, Boston University and the hospitals at Longwood Medical Area.
Enjoy a scenic kayak ride on the Charles River Esplanade in Back Bay.
Sit and relax on one of the long wooden benches inside the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
1/2
Famous for its Victorian brownstones, Back Bay is a shining example of 19th-century designs.
A snapshot of the Back Bay housing market
The neighborhood’s median sale price is close to $1.4 million, well above the citywide median of $880,000. Home sales start in the mid-$400,000s and climb to around $15 million for luxury condos with views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline. Most buildings also charge monthly condo or HOA fees that range from around $450 to almost $10,000, depending on the price of the unit. Going further into market details, properties spend an average of 66 days on the market, which is just a bit longer than the national average. Rental options are also readily available, with most units fetching around $1,900 to $16,000 per month.
Residents work hard to maintain Back Bay’s historic brownstones
Condos and apartments outnumber single-family homes by a wide margin here, and office space takes up a good chunk of the property mix. “All of Newbury Street, where the shopping is, is mixed-use,” says Hans Nagrath, managing director at Compass, who has almost 10 years of local real estate experience. Most buildings are classic Boston rowhomes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the neighborhood works hard to maintain its historical charm. “No two buildings are alike, and no two units are alike,” says Nagrath. “You have these beautiful brownstones with heavy restrictions on changing anything that’s visible from the street. You have to apply, and sometimes there’ll be a full hearing with the historical committee.” If you’re looking to purchase an investment property, note that short-term rentals are allowed, but only in owner-occupied primary residences, and many condo buildings prohibit Airbnb use altogether.
Interesting architectural elements adorn the brownstones on Commonwealth Ave in Back Bay.
Decorative planters add splashes of color to the 19th-century brownstones in Back Bay.
1/2
Parking is notoriously tight in Boston neighborhoods
As anyone who’s driven in Boston can tell you, finding a parking space can be tough. “If you buy a condo, you might have a dedicated space in the alley, or you could purchase garage parking,” Nagrath says. Single spaces in this area typically sell for $100,000 to $200,000, but that number can climb higher for spots in luxury developments. You could also rent a spot in a local garage; monthly rates hover around $450 to $700, with dedicated spaces fetching the highest prices.
Back Bay combines destination shopping and local dining
Foodies and fashionistas will feel right at home in Back Bay. With major retail centers like the Pru and Copley Place, plus an array of boutiques and sidewalk cafes on Newbury Street, the neighborhood is one of Boston’s top shopping and dining destinations. These restaurants earn high marks from locals and visitors alike:
The Friendly Toast, a trendy breakfast and brunch hangout
Joe’s on Newbury, a casual bar and grill serving American pub classics
Fire + Ice, an interactive buffet spot specializing in global flavors
Saltie Girl, a seafood restaurant that dives deep with caviar and tinned options
Abe & Louie’s, an upscale steakhouse with a comprehensive wine list
For a convenient grocery spot, Trader Joe’s is across from the Pru on Boylston Street.
Shoppers come and go at the bustling Prudential Center, known to locals as "The Pru."
Newbury Street is packed with shops and sidewalk cafes.
1/2
A highly walkable neighborhood with bike lanes and public transit
Driving and parking in Boston is notoriously difficult, but if you live in Back Bay, you should be able to get around without a car. Broad sidewalks, some paved with brick, make the neighborhood highly walkable, and many streets have dedicated bike lanes. It takes about half an hour to walk the 1.5-mile distance to downtown Boston, and it takes about 10 minutes on a bike. Public transit is readily available, with several T stations serving the Orange and Green lines. Back Bay Station is also served by Amtrak trains on the Acela, Northeast Regional and Lake Shore Limited routes. Several major hospitals provide job opportunities in the Longwood Medical Area, about 2 miles away. You can walk or bike there, but the T’s Green Line is more convenient.
Back Bay landmarks like the Pru enhance the Boston skyline.
Locals can walk along Newbury Street or find a spot to eat in one of the many restaurants.
1/2
The downsides to life in Back Bay
Aside from relatively high home prices and parking difficulties — which, to be fair, are prevalent throughout the city — are there any downsides to settling in Back Bay? Here’s a quick rundown:
Noise – lively streets mean there’s seldom a quiet moment
Tourism – with popular spots like the Pru, you’ll be sharing your home base with visitors
Limited space – apartments and condos are on the small side, and patios and decks are rare
Also, due to the historic nature of the buildings, “it’s a very difficult place to install air conditioning,” says Nagrath. Thankfully, while Boston summers can be warm and humid, the coastal location helps take the edge off.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
I live in a pretty safe neighborhood in Boston, so I never feel like my security is directly threatened. That said, I feel a little squeamish walking by myself at one in the morning, but I think that comes with city living, when not many people are on the street.
4.0Niche User
10/27/2015Niche Review
I like this area but I took out one thing of the rating because the weather is not good.
4.0Niche User
4/13/2015Niche Review
The restaurants are fantastic. Nightlife can be a little touch-and-go, because generally the whole city shuts down by 8:00- it's a quiet place. That said, there are always some late night places you can find, just not as many as there would be in a bigger city like NYC.
5.0Former Resident
9/19/2019Niche Review
I absolutely loved living in the Back Bay. I recommend it to anyone looking to live in Boston. You are just so centrally located you can literally walk anywhere in the city,
Are you familiar with the Back Bay neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Back Bay Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Back Bay, Boston sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Back Bay, Boston over the last 12 months is $1,400,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover an exceptional urban oasis where no detail has been overlooked. This spectacular penthouse is being offered on the market for the first time since the property was redeveloped. Spanning two stories, the residence features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of Boston. An open-concept layout seamlessly connects the living, dining, and kitchen spaces, creating an ideal setting
Located in an elegant, pre-war building overlooking the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, this residence is ready for your vision and customization. Offering direct elevator access to the entire second floor, this home enjoys wonderful light on three sides, expansive living spaces, and well-proportioned rooms, with the potential to be reimagined as a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence. There is a large,
Beautiful Commonwealth Avenue residence featuring an expansive private outdoor terrace directly off the main living area—perfect for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Thoughtfully designed with two bedrooms positioned on opposite sides of the living space for added privacy, this home is further enhanced by soaring 11-foot ceilings, oversized south-facing windows, and an elegant fireplace.
Discover the epitome of urban living nestled in the heart of Boston's prestigious Back Bay. This exquisite GARDEN LEVEL Comm Ave facing condo seamlessly blends historic charm with modern sophistication, featuring elegant details with high-end finishes. The open-concept layout is perfect for entertaining, boasting an ideal entertainer's kitchen with stainless steel appliances and spacious living
A masterfully reimagined penthouse atop the corner of Comm Ave & Clarendon St. Spanning more than 2,300 sq ft on 1 sunlit level w/ 3 exposures, this residence offers an unrivaled blend of architectural heritage & contemporary sophistication. A grand foyer sets the stage, welcoming you to an expansive living/dining area featuring marble wood-burning fireplace, custom millwork, &sweeping Back Bay
Residence 24 at 382 Commonwealth Avenue is a fully gut-renovated two-bedroom, two bath home offering refined modern living in the heart of Back Bay. Rebuilt from the studs with exceptional attention to detail, the residence blends contemporary design with classic Commonwealth Avenue elegance. Sunlight pours through oversized windows overlooking the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, illuminating an open
Ideally positioned along the iconic Commonwealth Ave Mall, this picturesque 7-unit brownstone is appealing to investors & end-users alike. The building's unique layout presents opportunity for an owner occupant who wants the benefit of income producing units.The private elevator delivers you to the dramatic penthouse- 3 levels of living, complete with 3 beds, 3 baths, 3 kitchens & 3 outdoor
Enjoy living on the sunny side of the street! This bright 2-bedroom, 1-bath home comes with a private deeded parking space on one of Back Bay's most beautiful streets. With nearly 1,000 sf, it pairs classic architectural character with everyday city convenience.Walk up the elegant grand staircase or take the elevator to your new home! The open living/dining area features a decorative fireplace,
This dramatic 2155 SF duplex feels like a true home in the city. Enter a grand foyer separating two enormous living areas. The elegant main living room overlooks Marlborough and the front garden. The equally spacious second room -- adjacent to the contemporary chef’s kitchen – is now used as a combined family/dining room open to the kitchen for a loft-like feel. It’s also ideal as a formal dining
Rarely Available Back Bay One-Bedroom with Private Patio ideally located on tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue, this beautifully renovated approximately 750 SF one-bedroom condominium offers an exceptional combination of Back Bay location, generous living space, and approximately 180 SF of private outdoor space. Not Below Grade!! Set on the first floor of an elegant 1890 brick mansion, the residence
Own one of Raffles Boston's most coveted studio + den residences, thoughtfully designed to live like a one-bedroom. Pocket doors separate the sleeping area from the main living space, offering a level of privacy and flexibility rarely found in a studio layout. Set on the 21st floor with a northwest exposure, Residence 21D commands sweeping, unobstructed views toward the Charles River and glows
Ideally situated at the crossroads of culture, innovation and health care, Residence 4504 at One Dalton places you minutes away from world-class academic institutions—including MIT, Harvard University, Boston University and Northeastern University—as well as Boston’s globally renowned medical centers, cultural institutions and upscale restaurants. This spacious home offers timeless elegance
Exceptional 35' wide Penthouse overlooking tree lined Commonwealth Ave. Set atop of the Clark Weld House built in 1896 and gut renovated in 2010, this spacious triplex stuns as you step off of your direct elevator access into your double wide living room flanked by 2 custom marble fireplaces & 10' ceilings. On this level, there is a beautiful Chef's Kitchen w/ 2 dishwashers, Dining Room, Mahogany
Located in the heart of Back Bay on the corner of Beacon and Dartmouth. This sunny front facing one bedroom features bay windows in living room high ceilings, hardwood floors, and beautiful ornamental fireplace. Spacious bedroom that can accommodate a king-size bed with lots of room to spare. Eat in kitchen with window. Fantastic roof deck with SPECTACULAR panoramic Charles River and City VIEWS!
Garrison Square is pleased to offer a vintage 19th-century architectural style with the 21st-century amenities you desire. These Boston apartments feature fireplaces, marble surroundings, and in-home washers and dryers. Visit with friends in the private landscaped courtyard with elegant cast iron fountains and enjoy spectacular views from the rooftop terrace. Garrison Square is just a short walk
AVAILABLE 8/15 or 9/1 | Discover the epitome of urban living nestled in the heart of Boston's prestigious Back Bay. This exquisite GARDEN LEVEL Comm Ave facing condo seamlessly blends historic charm with modern sophistication, featuring elegant details with high-end finishes. The open-concept layout is perfect for entertaining, boasting an ideal entertainer's kitchen with stainless steel
Live Happy.Our unparalleled Back Bay location is Boston's it spot where you can walk to the symphony, browse the fashionable Prudential Center and Copley Place shops, and dine and play on trendy Newbury Street.Our standout building offers unique 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments that provide exceptional space, contemporary finishes, natural light and enviable views. When you're not
Avalon Exeter, located in Boston’s Back Bay, is a 28-story tower with brand new luxury homes that feature one, two and three bedroom floor plans with panoramic views of Boston, the Charles River and Cambridge. These apartments in Boston have bright, airy designs and come with gourmet kitchens including stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops. The community amenities include a state of
?12 CommonwealthAvenue is a historic building in central Boston, near the Public Garden,Charles River Esplanade, and Newbury Street. Designed by George Nelson andbuilt in 1928, it features unique architectural details.The property is managed by Akelius Real Estate Management LLC, a reputable property management company with verified listings on Rent Cafe.For more details, contact our
The advertised rate of $8,598/month is the lowest available price, based on a 30 day(s) stay with a move-in date of December 7, 2026. Rates vary depending on the duration of stay, season, and other parameters. For exact pricing and additional pricing components, please visit our website and enter your desired move-in and move-out dates. The rate is applicable when billed upfront; it can be
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
