Boston MA Housing Market Report

By Ryan and Megan Winslow, broker owners of Winslow Homes. Updated October 4, 2026.

The median sale price in Boston was $859,431 in the three months ending August 2026, up 3.4% from a year earlier, according to Redfin. The typical home sold in 26 days at 99.4% of list price. Buyers have a little room to negotiate, and sellers still see steady demand. Ryan and Megan Winslow track Boston and Central Massachusetts each month.

What this means for buyers

Boston is competitive but more balanced than the headlines suggest. Redfin scores it 72 out of 100 for competition, which is lower than Worcester's 85. The median home sold in 26 days, and the typical sale closed at 99.4% of list price. That means you often negotiate a little off the asking price.

Price drops matter here. Redfin shows 29.7% of sales had a price drop, up 1.5 points from last year, and only 30.3% sold above list, down 1.6 points. If a home sits, ask your agent how many showings it had and what the seller needs. Buyers who stay calm get better terms.

Zillow shows 2,210 homes for sale and 539 new listings, and its typical home value of $774,723 is down 1.4% over the past year. Redfin's median sale price, which tracks homes that closed, is up 3.4%. The two measures differ, so read both. Sale prices reflect the homes that sell, and the Zillow index covers the whole market.

Budget for the full cost. Condo fees, taxes and heating add to your payment. Ryan and Megan, Mortgage Bankers with The Federal Savings Bank, will help you compare payments.

What this means for sellers

Boston sellers hold a decent position, not a commanding one. Redfin recorded 1,613 sales, up 2.4% from last year, at a median of $859,431. Price per square foot rose 1.5% to $717. Demand is steady.

The easy markups are over. With 29.7% of sales taking a price drop, buyers test sellers who price too high. Look at recent closed sales in your building or on your street, not at list prices. A well priced home in a strong neighborhood still draws offers in the first two weeks.

Condo sellers should prepare documents early. Buyers and lenders want the master deed, the budget and the reserve balance.

Request a home value at /pages/home-value, and Ryan and Megan will review recent Boston sales with you.

Neighborhoods and price ranges

Redfin lists these Boston neighborhoods among its markets: Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, Charlestown, South Boston, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Dorchester and Brighton. It does not publish a median for each on the city page, so we use the citywide median of $859,431 as the anchor.

Redfin does show a few recent sales that illustrate the range. A two-bedroom in Roslindale sold for $515,000. A two-bedroom in East Boston sold for $799,999, and a two-bedroom in Roxbury sold for $979,000. A three-bedroom in Downtown Boston sold for $2,787,500. These are single sales, not neighborhood averages, but they show how wide the spread runs from one block to the next.

Neighborhood character shapes what you buy. Back Bay and Beacon Hill are historic and condo heavy. The South End mixes Victorian rowhouses and condos. Charlestown and South Boston offer waterfront access. Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and West Roxbury draw buyers who want more space and two-family homes. Dorchester and Brighton offer a wide range of condos and multi-families. Ask Ryan and Megan for recent sales in the block you like.

Taxes, commuting and what to know before you buy in Massachusetts

Boston's fiscal 2026 residential tax rate is $12.40 per $1,000 of value, up from $11.58 the year before. The City Council also set the residential exemption at 35%, the maximum under state law. That exemption cuts the taxable value of an owner-occupied primary home, with savings of up to $4,353.74 according to the Boston Globe. At $12.40 per $1,000, a home assessed at $859,431 before exemption carries about $10,657 in tax. Your bill depends on your assessed value and whether you claim the exemption. The Globe reports the average single-family tax bill rose about 13% in January 2026, so budget with care.

Boston has the MBTA subway, bus and commuter rail network, which lets many residents live without a car. The Red, Orange, Green and Blue lines serve the core, and commuter rail lines reach Worcester, Providence and the North Shore. Check current schedules and fares on mbta.com. If you drive, plan for parking, since resident permits and garage spaces change a home's real cost.

Massachusetts buyers usually hire a real estate attorney. You sign an offer, then a purchase and sale agreement, and you pay a deposit. A home inspection happens between those steps. For homes built before 1978 with a child under six, the state lead paint law applies. Condo buyers should read the master deed, bylaws and budget.

Ask about heating costs and building age.

Selling in Massachusetts and buying in Florida

Many Boston-area owners plan a move to Florida after years of Massachusetts winters and taxes. Ryan and Megan work both ends. Their brokerage has offices in New Smyrna Beach, and they serve Central Massachusetts and Boston, so one team coordinates both closings.

Boston equity often buys a lot of Florida home. Compare your Boston median of $859,431 with Ormond Beach, where Redfin shows a median sale price of $379,744 and 75 days on market. The gap lets some sellers buy outright or take a smaller mortgage. Talk with your tax advisor about the federal home sale exclusion and any gain above it.

Plan the Florida costs early. Get a homeowners quote and a flood zone check before you offer on a Florida home. Property tax resets to the purchase price in Florida, and your primary home qualifies for the homestead exemption. Florida has no state income tax on wages.

Ask Ryan and Megan how to time your Boston listing and your Florida purchase so you move once and cleanly.

Outlook for the next 3 months

No one knows where prices will go. Redfin shows prices up 3.4% and Zillow shows its index down 1.4%, a mixed picture. Days on market edged up, and price drops are more common than a year ago. If those trends hold, buyers should find a little more room to negotiate.

Fall brings a seasonal slowdown in Boston, and holiday weeks are quiet. Rates and the tax bill increase for homeowners shape demand. Do not count on a sharp move in either direction.

If you buy, line up your financing early.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median home price in Boston?

Redfin reports a median sale price of $859,431, up 3.4% from a year earlier, for the period ending August 2026. Zillow shows a median sale price of $830,000 for July 2026 and a typical home value of $774,723.

How long do homes take to sell in Boston?

Redfin shows a median of 26 days on market, up 1 day from last year. Zillow shows 30 days to pending. Condos in some neighborhoods take longer than single-family homes, so ask for neighborhood sales.

Do Boston homes sell above asking price?

Some do. Redfin shows a 99.4% sale-to-list ratio, with 30.3% of homes selling above list and 29.7% taking a price drop. The typical home sells slightly under asking.

What is the Boston property tax rate?

The Boston City Council set the fiscal 2026 residential rate at $12.40 per $1,000 of value. A residential exemption of 35% applies to owner-occupied primary homes, with savings of up to $4,353.74 according to the Boston Globe.

I own in Massachusetts and want to buy in Florida. Who helps with both?

Ryan and Megan Winslow work both ends. They are brokers in Massachusetts and Florida, with offices in New Smyrna Beach, and they help you time the sale, the move and the purchase.

Want a number for your own home or a plan for your next move? Text or call Ryan and Megan at 386-690-5858, or request a home value at /pages/home-value. Ryan and Megan are Mortgage Bankers with The Federal Savings Bank and brokers who handle both the Massachusetts and Florida sides of a move.

Sources: Redfin Boston housing market, three months ending August 2026 | Zillow Boston home values, August 2026 | City of Boston residential tax rate, fiscal 2026 | Boston Globe Boston City Council sets 2026 property tax rates (December 10, 2025)