Close to Boston, Easier to Rent: Your Guide to 5 Key Neighboring Cities

Hello! I’m Amelia, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com expert for Boston!

Boston is an incredible city with so much to see and do, but there’s no question — apartments in Boston are in high demand and can be pricey. Whether you’re seeking a more affordable place to call home or you simply prefer the slower pace of a more suburban area, Boston’s surrounding cities offer affordable rentals and easy commutes while keeping the unique charm and history that make Boston such a desirable place to live.

Quincy

Welcome, future neighbor! My family and I call Quincy home, and we love living here. Quincy (remember — it’s pronounced “Quin-zee” not “Quin-see!”) is just south of Boston, making it a great choice for commuters who are seeking something a little quieter… but not too quiet!

We just celebrated Quincy’s quadcentennial (yup, 400 years) in 2025, and you probably recognize several famous names who were born here, including two presidents (John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams) and the man with the biggest signature on the Constitution, John Hancock.

Quincy also has a large immigrant population, and this is reflected in our local food scene, especially in North Quincy, which has tons of fantastic mom-and-pop Chinese restaurants. You should also check out the Vietnamese spot, Lê Madeline, which was recently nominated for a James Beard award.

For a fun shopping experience, be sure to hit Quincy Center’s many small, independently owned shops. Our family favorites include Next Chapter Books, Alpha Omega Hobby (for all our nerdy needs), and New England Comics (okay, we have a lot of nerdy needs). While you’re downtown, visit Thomas Crane Public Library — especially the old wing, originally built in 1882. Want to get out and explore nature? Take a walk or a jog along beautiful Wollaston Beach or hit the trails in the Blue Hills.

Commuting from Quincy to Boston is a no-brainer. The Red Line can take you to downtown Boston in just minutes, and from there you can connect to other lines to quickly get just about anywhere in the surrounding area.

The rental market in Quincy is hopping right now, offering everything from the classic Massachusetts doubles and triple-stacks (my family lives in one of these) to new luxury apartments springing up all over the city with plenty of amenities. With so many options available, you can easily find an apartment that fits your budget. Many of the newer apartment buildings are also close to T stations, making commuting that much easier.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Quincy

Braintree

Braintree and Quincy are next-door neighbors and share a lot of history — in fact, they used to be one big city. Some local wits still like to refer to the two cities combined as “QuinTree.” Despite their shared history and age, Braintree has a slightly “newer” feel than Quincy and combines a lot of the commercial advantages of Boston with a small-town vibe.

During the summer, be sure to visit the Braintree Farmers Market, which takes place on Saturday mornings on the lawn of the Braintree Town Hall. Like Quincy, Braintree also has plenty of great dining options. Some of our favorites include An Chan House of Thai, Ganh Pho Kitchen, and The Tree Bar and Lounge. In the mood for Italian? Check out Fasano’s Marketplace for Italian groceries and takeout.

Braintree is also a great spot for shopping. Although you’ll find more large chain stores in Braintree, including a full mall, the downtown area has numerous small spots to check out. We especially love visiting Open Doors and Wicked Good Yarns. Braintree has plenty of beautiful natural places, perfect for walking or just hanging out with a book while enjoying the scenery. We especially love Cranberry Pond and Town Forest, a couple quieter, greener spaces that can be easy to miss.

Braintree is just past Quincy on the Red Line, making the town another ideal spot for commuters. The T isn’t your only option, either. Braintree Station also has commuter rail service, plus a large park-and-ride setup, giving renters a little more flexibility if they need to get into Boston regularly. That said, Braintree is one of those places where having a car still makes everyday life easier, especially for errands and shopping.

The rental market in Braintree tends to feel a little more suburban and a little less dense than Quincy’s. You will find doubles and triple-deckers, along with larger apartment communities and a handful of newer mid-rise buildings.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Braintree

Malden

Malden is an especially great spot for anyone looking for rentals in the Boston area. Just north of Boston, it has a lot of the practical benefits people look for — an easy and straightforward commute, lots of apartment options, and plenty to do.

Compared with Quincy or Braintree, Malden feels a little more urban and apartment-focused, especially around Malden Center. For those who plan to commute to Boston, Malden Center is on the Orange Line and also has commuter rail access, and Oak Grove is another good option, depending on where you live.

Like Quincy, Malden has a strong Chinese influence alongside a broader Asian community, and this is reflected in the city’s diverse food scene. If you like having lots of options nearby, Malden really delivers. Whether you’re in the mood for ramen (check out Zuru Zuru!), American gastropub (Mystic Station!), or Mexican/Salvadoran (El Mexsal!), Malden has you covered.

Need a break with some green space? Malden has an active community garden worth checking out. If you’ve got a green thumb that feels hampered by renting, you may want to consider renting a plot here. Malden is also currently working with the neighboring cities of Medford and Everett to revitalize the Malden River and develop a beautiful shared green space. It’s been exciting to see the project come to life!

Malden is very much an apartment hub with a lot of variety in rental options. You will find larger apartment complexes, condo-style rentals, and newer buildings near Malden Center, but also plenty of the duos, triples, quads, and other house-style apartments that are so common in the greater Boston area.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Malden

Somerville

When people think of Boston, one of the first things that comes to mind is the city’s exceptional universities. But two of the most famous, Harvard and MIT, are technically located in the neighboring city of Cambridge. And while Cambridge is beautiful, it can be quite expensive, and rental space can be hard to find. What’s the solution? Somerville!

Somerville is trendy, lively, and incredibly convenient, especially for anyone who wants easy access to both Boston and Cambridge. It has a lot of the same appeal as Cambridge, while feeling a little more casual and neighborhood-driven, making it especially fun to live in. Davis Square is probably the best example of that energy. It’s busy, walkable, and full of restaurants (if you like Japanese, check out Sugidama Soba & Izakaya), bars, and shops (Magpie is a personal favorite), making it a great area for renters who want to be in the middle of things.

On the other hand, Assembly Row has a completely different vibe, newer and more built-up, with shopping, dining, apartments, and entertainment all in one place. And because Somerville sits so close to Cambridge, you also get easy access to some great spots just over the line. I absolutely love the Irish bar The Druid — make sure to get the fish and chips and stop by on a night when they have live music.

Somerville is a great choice for commuters. Davis Square is on the Red Line, Assembly Row is on the Orange Line, and the Green Line Extension adds access points in and around the city, including Union Square, East Somerville, Gilman Square, and Magoun Square. In other words, depending on where you rent, you may have multiple good options for getting into Boston, Cambridge, or elsewhere in the area. Prefer to bike or walk? The Community Path will get you where you need to go.

The rental market in Somerville includes a mix of classic multifamily homes, triple-deckers, condo-style rentals, and newer apartment buildings. Between the easy access to Cambridge for students or university employees, the vibrant neighborhood feel, and the wide range of rental options, Somerville is a great choice for renters who want to be close to everything.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Somerville

Lynn

One of the things that sets Lynn apart from other cities on this list is its beautiful beaches. Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation runs right along the water, giving the city a coastal feel. The shoreline is a real part of the appeal here, whether you want a place to walk or just enjoy the fact that your regular routine includes ocean views.

Lynn is also a practical choice for commuters. Lynn Station sits right downtown on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line, which means you can head south into Boston or north toward Salem and the rest of the North Shore pretty easily. The station is also a bus hub, which helps if you are not renting right near downtown.

Of course, there’s more to do in Lynn than just enjoy the beach! Downtown Lynn offers an artsy vibe, with murals, galleries, live events, and the Lynn Museum & Arts Center adding a lot of life to the area. Like other cities on this list (what can I say? Good restaurants matter to me!), Lynn has an excellent restaurant scene. You’ll especially want to check out Blue Ox (if you’re looking for something fancy for date night), Antique Table (blow-your-mind-good Italian), and Los Chamos (Venezuelan — see? Told you it was a good food scene!).

Lynn offers a mix of different rental options. You’ll find plenty of multifamily homes, including triple-deckers and smaller house-style apartments, and downtown has loft-style rentals, condo-style units, and newer apartment buildings coming into the mix.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Lynn