Boston University campus along Commonwealth Avenue

BUY NEAR BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Homes for Sale
Near BU

Current BU-area homes, neighborhood intelligence and ownership math — with local property and financing guidance kept in one place.

Boston University · Charles River Campus · Compare the home, the commute and the complete ownership plan.

Boston UniversityBoston, MA
Current homes in the BU sale view · checked Oct 17, 2026Change college

BOSTON MARKET MOMENTUM

What changed over the last year?

Citywide context for a BU-area purchase. These are Boston benchmarks, not a forecast for any individual property.
Realtor.com Economic Research ↗
▼ 1.9%

Home sale prices

YoY · Boston city · Aug 2026
▲ 1.5%

Rents

YoY · Boston city · Aug 2026
▲ 11.5%

For-sale inventory

YoY · Boston city · Aug 2026
▼ 4.0%

Rental availability

YoY · Boston city · Aug 2026
Source-checked Sep 19, 2026 · Realtor.com Economic Research · values displayed to one decimal.View current BU homes →

Boston University · MARKET CONTEXT

Put the purchase in context.

University demand and local housing benchmarks, with the location and reporting period kept beside each number.

City median sale price
$849,575

Boston, MA · 2026-07

Saved school cost intelligence ↗
1 bedroom rent reference
$3,618/mo

Boston, MA · 2026-09

Saved school cost intelligence ↗
Undergraduates off campus / commuting
43%

Boston University · Fall 2025

BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗
Total students
36,977

Boston University · Fall 2025

BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗
University & housing details Definitions, dates and sources

City median sale price $849,575

Median sale price for the cited city housing market; not a campus-only or student-property price.

Boston, MA · 2026-07 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗

1 bedroom rent reference $3,618/mo

Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.

Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗

Undergraduates off campus / commuting 43%

Degree-seeking undergraduates off campus or commuting; not solely off-campus rental demand, and not graduate students; CDS F1.

Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗

Total students 36,977

All undergraduate and graduate students, including full-time and part-time students; CDS B1.

Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗

City sale-price change 2.4%

Year-over-year change paired with the saved city median sale-price series.

Boston, MA · 2026-07 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗

Median owner-occupied home value $731,700

Median value of owner-occupied housing units; ACS 5-year estimate, not a current listing/sale price.

Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗

Studio rent reference $2,971/mo

Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.

Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗

2 bedrooms rent reference $4,596/mo

Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.

Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗

3 bedrooms rent reference $5,810/mo

Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.

Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗

First-year students 3,449

First-time, first-year degree-seeking students, full-time and part-time; CDS B2.

Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗

First-year students in campus housing 99%

First-time first-year degree-seeking students living in college-owned, operated or affiliated housing; CDS F1.

Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗

Undergraduates in campus housing 57%

Degree-seeking undergraduates in college-owned, operated or affiliated housing; CDS F1.

Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗

First-year housing required Yes

BU Admissions says first-year students are required to live on campus; actual first-year share is 99%, not 100%.

Boston University · Policy verified October 15, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Admissions: Housing ↗

Four-year housing guarantee Yes

BU Housing states housing guaranteed for all four undergraduate years. Housing application, payment and eligibility conditions still apply; use official policy link.

Boston University · Policy verified October 15, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Undergraduate Housing ↗

First-year retention 94%

First-time, full-time bachelor's degree-seeking Fall 2024 entrants enrolled at Fall 2025 census; source reports 3,072 of 3,260, rounded to 94%.

Boston University · Fall 2024 cohort retained to Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗

Six-year graduation 90%

Fall 2019 first-time full-time bachelor's cohort completing by August 31, 2025: 2,815 of adjusted cohort 3,144; reported rounded percent.

Boston University · Fall 2019 cohort, by August 31, 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗

First-year off campus / commuting 1%

First-time first-year degree-seeking students living off campus or commuting; CDS F1.

Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗

Years of housing guaranteed 4

Undergraduate housing guarantee duration as stated by BU Housing.

Boston University · Policy verified October 15, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Undergraduate Housing ↗

Median gross rent $2,147/mo

Median monthly gross rent, including contract rent plus applicable tenant-paid utilities; ACS 5-year estimate, not current asking rent.

Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗

Owner-occupied housing 35.7%

Share of occupied housing units occupied by their owner; citywide, not student housing.

Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗

Median owner costs with mortgage $2,986/mo

Monthly selected owner costs for owner-occupied units with a mortgage; not a mortgage quotation or principal-and-interest-only payment.

Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗

University figures and citywide housing data cover different populations and periods. They do not establish achievable rent, occupancy or investment returns for a specific property.

REAL HOMES. REAL NUMBERS. BRIGHTER FUTURES.

Homes near Boston University

Compare campus proximity, ownership costs and the four-year numbers — not just listing prices.

Neighborhood
Price
Beds
Type
Distance
Available homes · Sorted by distance
$569,000

Fenway · 0.4 miles to BU · 8 min walk

▱ 1 bedroom ♙ 1 bathroom ▦ 850 sq ft ⌂ Co-op
Why this home surfacedclose to campus, lower purchase price within these results — then compare the full ownership cost and post-graduation plan.

Current published selection. Confirm prices and availability. Distances are straight-line to campus.

Work with local experts

Get guidance from professionals who know BU and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Frank Carroll
Frank CarrollBU RealtorLocal advice. Local insight. Better outcomes.
Call 617-721-7461
Matt Dean
Matt DeanLoan Officer, NEXACreative financing for college home buyers.
Call (512) 415-6142
◷ Dated listing snapshots · confirm availability⌖ No addresses shown△ Work with a local expert for availability↕ Estimated costs. Your results may vary.We use AI to route intent, not replace professionals.

WHERE THE HOME CHANGES THE DAILY ROUTINE

Compare BU neighborhoods like a buyer

Price is only one variable. Compare the property type, recurring building costs and the actual trip to your BU destination.
View all neighborhoods →
Allston near Boston University$440K – $579KCurrent verified asking range

Allston

Current homes1.7 mi median campus distanceCondo

Start with the part of Allston that fits your daily route to campus. A home near the western campus can offer a different commute from a property farther into the neighborhood.

Frank’s checklistWalk the actual route to your BU building at the time you expect to travel.
Explore Allston →
Brookline near Boston University$599K – $880KCurrent verified asking range

Brookline

Current homes0.9 mi median campus distanceCondo

Brookline borders Boston University, but the right location depends on the campus building you use. Compare walking routes with the B and C branches of the Green Line.

Frank’s checklistCompare the full monthly cost, including condo fees and parking.
Explore Brookline →
Fenway – Kenmore near Boston University$569KCurrent verified asking range

Fenway – Kenmore

Current homes0.4 mi median campus distanceCo-op

Fenway and Kenmore put you close to the eastern end of BU’s Charles River Campus. Building type matters: a co-op, condominium, and rental apartment can carry different requirements.

Frank’s checklistHave Frank explain ownership structure before comparing prices.
Explore Fenway – Kenmore →
Back Bay / South End near Boston University$589K – $1.5MCurrent verified asking range

Back Bay / South End

Current homes1.4 mi median campus distanceCondo + Co-op

Back Bay and the South End are distinct neighborhoods. Their appeal extends beyond a student’s time at BU, but neither should be treated as one uniform campus commute.

Frank’s checklistIdentify whether you need BU’s Charles River Campus or Medical Campus.
Explore Back Bay / South End →

Rent vs. own near BU: start with the same time horizon

Compare published BU-area rent evidence with a principal-and-interest starting point, then add the costs that make ownership real.

$4,200/moPublished monthly rent benchmark for this bedroom count4 YearsComparison horizon
Total Rent Cost$201,600
Estimated principal + interest$196,992$4,608 less in scheduled payments

Turn this into a complete BU ownership scenario.

  • Add taxes, insurance, HOA and repairs
  • Stress-test any roommate contribution
  • Plan the sale, rental or hold after graduation
View Full Calculator →Principal-and-interest comparison only. Taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance, transaction costs, appreciation and sale proceeds are not included here. Starting ownership payment uses 20% down and the Freddie Mac 30-year benchmark of 6.95% as of September 17, 2026.

Mortgage benchmark: Freddie Mac PMMS ↗ · not a rate quote.

PROPERTY + FINANCING, KEPT SEPARATE

Use the right professional for the right decision

Frank helps evaluate the home and neighborhood. Matt handles financing questions and eligibility. CollegeHousing.ai keeps the BU property context attached between them.
Frank Carroll
BU-AREA REAL ESTATE

Frank Carroll

Vice President / Real Estate Agent · Compass

  • Property tours and offer strategy
  • Neighborhood and building context
  • Condo rules, condition and resale questions
View profile
Matt Dean
COLLEGE HOUSING FINANCING

Matt Dean

Mortgage Loan Consultant · NEXA Lending · NMLS #227603

  • Investor financing review
  • Property-specific cost planning
  • Confirm property state, intended use and program eligibility
View financing profile

QUESTIONS BUYERS ASK

BU home-buying answers

Is it better to rent or buy near Boston University?

The median asking price for a BU-area home is $777,000, while a 2-bedroom rental averages $4,596/month. For a 4-year degree, a student’s half of that rent totals a sunk cost of $110,304. Buying a property allows families to offset this cost through principal paydown, but requires upfront cash for a down payment, HOA fees, and a planned exit strategy after graduation. Use the calculator to compare the same housing arrangement, then ask Frank to review the property assumptions and Matt Dean to review financing.

Can parents buy a condo for a BU student?

Start by identifying who will own, borrow, and occupy the condo. Then review building rules, cash needed, monthly costs, and the plan after graduation. Frank handles the property discussion; Matt reviews the financing question and applicable eligibility.

What do condo fees include?

The association’s budget and documents control. Ask which utilities, insurance, maintenance, staffing, amenities, and reserves the fee covers, and whether assessments or major work are planned. Compare the complete monthly cost rather than the asking price alone.

Can out-of-state parents buy a property near BU?

Frank works with buyers relocating to Boston and can help coordinate a property search from out of state. Financing and ownership arrangements require a separate review of your circumstances. Start with a callback and explain your timeline.

Who can help with financing near BU?

Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact for this page. Share your intended occupancy, purchase budget, and selected property. Ask him to confirm the applicable state licensing, property eligibility, and available programs before proceeding.

How can I schedule a showing with Frank?

Choose Learn More on the property you are considering. Your request will include the address, listing ID, Buy or Rent selection, and BU market. You can also call or text Frank at 617-721-7461.

READY TO NARROW THE SHORTLIST?

Turn the BU search into a property plan.

Compare the homes, total ownership costs and neighborhood tradeoffs. Then bring the exact property to Frank and the financing scenario to Matt.
Homes for Sale Near BU | Frank Carroll | CollegeHousing.ai