Beacon Hill
Neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk County 02108, 02114
Federal-era rowhomes with brick facades
Beacon Hill boasts an impressive collection of well-preserved Greek Revival and Federal-style brick rowhouses. The neighborhood is listed as a National Historic Landmark, and the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission must approve all exterior work to buildings. Wrought-iron balconies, ornate doorways and the occasional purple windows complement brick facades, while some homeowners enjoy private back gardens or rooftop decks. The neighborhood’s most well-known street is Acorn Street, where stately row houses and swathes of hanging ivy line a narrow cobblestone pathway. Reminiscent of colonial Boston, Acorn Street is considered one of the most photographed streets in the country. Homes date back to the early 1800s, although many have been renovated to include modern amenities and appliances. Prices range from around $500,000 for a one-bedroom condo to $19 million for a six-bedroom townhouse with private parking, elevator access and a roof deck. According to the CAP Index, the neighborhood has an overall Crime Score of 4.
/
Get outside at the Boston Common or the Esplanade
Residents are minutes from the Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country. The urban green space features a playground, tennis courts, a softball field and more. Locals can enjoy The Boston Common Frog Pond year-round, with a spray pool in the summer and an ice-skating rink in the winter. The Charles River Esplanade boasts a scenic 17-mile loop along the waterfront, making it a popular spot for walkers, runners and bikers. Locals can gather on one of the Esplanade’s five docks, while those looking to get in the water can rent canoes, kayaks and more. Beacon Hill has several museums, including the Museum of African American History and the Nichol’s House Museum.
/
Kids attend International Baccalaureate schools
Boston Public Schools follows a Home-Based student assignment policy. Students in grades K-8 can choose to attend any school within a one-mile radius of their home address, while high schools remain citywide options. Kids in grades K-5 may attend the Josiah Quincy Elementary School, the only elementary school in the district that is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School. Older kids in grades 6-12 may continue their education at the Josiah Quincy Upper School. Both schools earned a B from Niche. Beacon Hill is home to several private elementary schools, including the A-plus-rated Park Street School. Locals are minutes from Sattler College, Fisher College and Suffolk University.
/
Events hosted by the Beacon Hill Civic Association
The Beacon Hill Civic Association hosts several annual events. Popular festivities include the winter Beacon Hill Gala, which brings neighbors together for an evening of socializing, dining and dancing. The group also hosts monthly Young Friends Socials at various local bars to connect residents.Access to downtown Boston, the T and beyond
Beacon Hill is a walkable community with limited parking. “To have a car there is very challenging,” Knotts says. “Parking spaces can go for over $500,000.” The neighborhood is about a mile from downtown Boston, and residents can walk to several subway stations – locally known as the T. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority provides local bus service to the community, and those with cars can easily access Interstate 93. Residents are about 4 miles from Boston Logan International Airport.
/
Local boutiques and restaurants on Charles Street
Colorful storefronts dot Charles Street. “It has all your little antique shops and cafés, and when you walk down the street, it feels like you’re in a nice European setting,” Knotts says. Locals can browse the shelves at Beacon Hill Books & Café, or shop everything from kitchen goods to Boston-themed gifts at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill. With fine dining and laid-back eateries, various flavors fill the neighborhood. Toscano is an upscale Italian restaurant, while 75 Chestnut serves American classics in an intimate, bistro-like setting. “Tip Tap Room is one of the top places to go get a beer,” Knotts says. “People come back from work and stop in there, and they also have weird food like kangaroo or ostrich.” Beacon Hill is home to Cheers Boston, a lively pub and tourist attraction that inspired the hit TV show “Cheers.” Beacon Hill Market sells the essentials, and Whole Foods is less than a mile away.
/
Advanced care at Massachusetts General Hospital
Beacon Hill is home to the Massachusetts State House and next to the award-winning Massachusetts General Hospital. The hospital has a Level I trauma center and serves as a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.
Written By
Ginny Fink
Photography Contributed By
Noel Poage
Video By
Bill Jennings
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Lina Kriva Homes International
Lina Kriva Homes International
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty Boston-Metro | Back Bay
(857) 214-8673
49 Total Sales
1 in Beacon Hill
$850,000 Price
-
Lisa Zemack
Lisa Zemack
Zemack Real Estate
(774) 292-5539
88 Total Sales
1 in Beacon Hill
$664,500 Price
-
Merrill Berkery
Merrill Berkery
Compass
(339) 338-5926
24 Total Sales
1 in Beacon Hill
$690,000 Price
-
Matthew Foley
Matthew Foley
Fenway Property Advisors
(339) 213-8796
46 Total Sales
5 in Beacon Hill
$525K - $860K Price Range
-
Darcy Bento
Darcy Bento
Bento Real Estate Group, Inc.
(857) 837-6383
65 Total Sales
1 in Beacon Hill
$380,000 Price
-
Barbara Wales
Barbara Wales
Engel & Volkers Newton
(781) 512-8233
88 Total Sales
1 in Beacon Hill
$906,500 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 6th to 12th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Phillips Street Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Charles River Esplanade
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Myrtle Street Playground
- Playground
Temple Street Park
- Picnic Area
Cardinal Cushing Memorial Park
- Trails
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Beacon Hill | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Beacon Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Beacon Hill, Boston sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Beacon Hill, Boston over the last 12 months is $1,375,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$1,895,000
Median Sale Price
$1,375,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$5,472,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$4,347,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,375,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
109
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,378
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,744
Number of Homes for Sale
75
Median Year Built
1899
Months of Supply
8.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,172
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,250
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,117
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
665
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
497
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306
Open Houses
-
Saturday, Jun 1411:30am - 12:30pm
-
Saturday, Jun 1411:30am - 1pm
-
Sunday, Jun 1512 - 1:30pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Condo Buildings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
9,336
Median Age
36
Population Density
75 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$123,410
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$162,580
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.2%
College Graduates
88.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47.1%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
63
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99
/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Back Bay
Elegant urban living in one of the premier Boston neighborhoods
North End
Traditionally Italian neighborhood full of generational families and college kids
West End
High-rise condos with riverfront views and plenty of parks and paths
East Cambridge
An ever-changing neighborhood between the Charles River and MIT
Chinatown
Community vibe with access to the T and a variety of restaurants
Boston Common
The green heart right in the middle of downtown Boston
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Beacon Hill neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
