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Neighborhood0
Boston

Back Bay

#5 in Best Neighborhoods to Live in Boston
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 16 reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    C
  2. Crime & Safety
    B-
  3. Housing
    C-
  4. Nightlife
    A+
  5. Good for Families
    A-
  6. Diversity
    B+
  7. Jobs
    C+
  8. Weather
    B-
  9. Cost of Living
    C-
  10. Health & Fitness
    A+
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A
  12. Commute
    A+
View Full Report Card
Back Bay is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts with a population of 21,584. Back Bay is in Suffolk County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Back Bay offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Back Bay there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Back Bay and residents tend to be liberal.
About Back Bay...
Population
21,584

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$991,794
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$2,072
National
$949
Area Feel
Urban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    68%
  • Own
    32%
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Back Bay Rankings

Niche ranks thousands of neighborhoods based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

Crime & Safety

Crime & Safety
B-
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Assault
    214.6
    282.7
  • Murder
    0
    6.1
  • Rape
    —
    40.7
  • Robbery
    219.2
    135.5
Property Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Burglary
    433.8
    500.1
  • Theft
    6,809.7
    2,042.8
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
    195.9
    284

Residents

Diversity
B+
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$100,621
National
$55,322
Families with Children
7%
Education Levels
National
  • Master's degree or higher
    46%
    12%
  • Bachelor's degree
    37%
    19%
  • Some college or associate's degree
    9%
    29%
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    5%
    28%
  • Less than high school diploma
    3%
    13%
  • Public Schools
  • Private Schools
Places like Back Bay
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Back Bay Reviews

16 reviews
All Categories
I am a graduate student at Boston University and I am living in Back Bay! I immediately fell in love with this neighborhood! Easy access to public transportation. The community itself is beautiful and there is easy access to many stores and restaurants!
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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,
Very high cost of living but great amentities. I've lived in the area for about 8 years and little has changed except more locations are being renovated. Good public transit though with green line/orange line and bus service.