As inflation and interest rates increase, rental prices surge in Brookline

Rents continue to rise at the fastest pace in decades, making housing costlier than ever for many Brookline residents.

For the first time, Brookline rental prices averaged more than $3 per square foot in Brookline, reflecting an 11% increase, year-to-date, per MLS-PIN data.

Amid interest rate increases and high purchase prices, more and more consumers are exiting the sales market and are looking to lease, however, it’s causing the rental prices to surge to new heights.

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate jumped to 5.78% this week, an increase from 4.98% in April. The average rate was 2.96% at the same time last year.

Many experts believe that this trend isn’t going anywhere as the Fed remains intent on continuing to raise rates to combat stubbornly high inflation. Here are the top 10 metro areas with the highest rising rents compared to a year ago, according to a Redfin survey:

Austin, Texas: 48%
Nashville, Tennessee: 32%
Seattle, Washington: 32%
Cincinnati, Ohio: 32%
Miami, Florida: 29%
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: 29%
West Palm Beach, Florida: 29%
New York, New York: 24%
Nassau County, New York: 24%
New Brunswick, New Jersey: 24%

Is this a one-year spike, or will we see this up-trend in the next few years as the economy stabilizes?

During the 2008 recession, Brookline saw a total of 23% jump in average rent prices from 2009 to 2013, an increase from $2,522 per month to $2,729 per month, or $2.09 per square foot to $2.57 per square foot. The average price-per-square-foot, year-to-date in Brookline, is $3.29 representing an average rental price of $3,525 per month.

In the 2008 recession, the inflation rate ranged from -0.36% to 3.16%, nowhere close to this year’s 8.6% inflation rate posted in May 2022.

During the pandemic, the cost of building materials and construction dramatically increased, and supply chain delays caused higher carrying costs; all contributing to a higher cost-to-build and higher costs to maintain rental properties, a cost that is being transferred to both buyers and tenants.

Potential buyers sitting on the fence, waiting for Brookline real estate prices to cool are facing a lose-lose scenario: not only are rent prices soaring, but the potential monthly payment for a mortgage also has increased for 6 months in a row, with mortgage rates rising from 3.07% in November 2021 to 5.78% in June 2022, with no reversal in sight. (According to Freddie MAC)

We are also seeing the pandemic trend of Boston apartment dwellers looking for larger spaces in the surrounding suburbs continue as remote and hybrid work has become more permanent.

Without an influx in new apartment buildings or new landlords in Brookline, and with an expected continued jump in interest rates, we will continue to see an increase in rents. It is important that Brookline encourage a thoughtful increase in the supply of new apartment offerings through advanced town planning.

Celebratory collage featuring illustrated Brookline school buildings, a central golden trophy, festive confetti and balloons, and happy children cheering amid neighborhood elements.

8 of Mass’ Top 10 Public K‑8 Schools Are in Brookline

Brookline, Massachusetts, is setting the standard for public education—8 of the top 10 public K–8 schools in the entire state are located right here. But it’s not just about test scores. Families relocating to Greater Boston are drawn to Brookline for its exceptional schools, walkable neighborhoods, diverse community, and vibrant lifestyle. If you’re searching for a place where academic excellence meets everyday livability, Brookline stands alone.

Pop-art scene with distressed woman, upward red arrows, and an abstract rising financial line beside a property-tax sign.

Brookline Homeowners Brace for a Significant Property Tax Increase in 2026

Brookline homeowners are facing a meaningful increase in their 2026 property-tax bills, with the median single-family home expected to rise about 6%. In a town where the average bill already exceeds $20,000, even modest percentage changes translate into significant dollar amounts.

Collage-style illustration featuring Thai small plates, cocktails, and a lively restaurant scene set against a Boston skyline backdrop, celebrating a Michelin-recognized Brookline eatery.

Brookline’s Thai Gem Mahaniyom Just Won Michelin Gold (and the Cocktail Crown)

Brookline just landed the biggest Michelin win in Greater Boston: Mahaniyom — a 24-seat Thai tapas bar with flaming woks and life-changing cocktails – walked away with a Bib Gourmand and the Northeast’s Exceptional Cocktails Award.

Urgent pop-art style illustration featuring a bold upward tax arrow, Brookline-style architecture including a stylized Town Hall silhouette, and dramatic red-orange tones emphasizing rising Massachusetts withholding taxes for high-end sales.

MA DOR’s New Non-Resident Withholding Rule: What It Means for Brookline Real Estate

Massachusetts is introducing a new tax withholding requirement that will reshape how many high-end real estate closings are handled—especially in Brookline, where million-dollar sales and non-resident owners are the norm. Beginning November 1, 2025, any $1M+ sale involving an out-of-state or international seller will require a portion of the proceeds to be withheld at closing and sent directly to the Department of Revenue. It’s not a new tax, but it does change the timing dramatically, and in a market with a globally diverse ownership base, this rule will surface often. Understanding how the withholding works, who it applies to, and how it affects your net proceeds has become an essential part of preparing for a Brookline sale in 2025 and beyond.

Illustration of a red house under a magnifying glass with a handshake over a signed document, surrounded by autumn trees and Boston landmarks including the State House dome, Zakim Bridge, and a T train, symbolizing Brookline real estate and home inspections.

New Massachusetts Home Inspection Law Takes Effect: What Brookline Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

A sweeping new home inspection law taking effect October 15, 2025, will dramatically reshape the home-buying process across Massachusetts. Enacted as part of the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, the regulation ensures that every buyer has the right to a professional home inspection before purchasing a residential property — and makes it illegal for sellers or agents to pressure buyers into waiving that right.

The change comes after years of record competition in the housing market, when “no-inspection” offers became common as buyers sought to gain an edge in bidding wars. State officials say the new rules are designed to restore fairness, transparency, and consumer protection in real estate transactions.

Illustrated Brookline scene with a person holding a golden #1 trophy in front of a red-brick school, the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and the “T” sign, surrounded by families walking along a sunny, tree-lined street.

Brookline Schools Ranked #1 Again

Brookline once again tops Niche’s 2025–2026 rankings as the #1 public school district in Greater Boston — and it’s easy to see why. As both a local agent and parent of four in the Brookline Public Schools, I see every day how exceptional teachers, diverse programs, and a supportive community make this an extraordinary place to raise a family.

That same excellence drives Brookline’s real estate market, where single-family homes now average $3.13M and condos $1.21M, with homes selling in just over a month. Strong schools continue to anchor home values, attract long-term residents, and define Brookline as one of Massachusetts’ most sought-after towns to live, learn, and grow.

Stylized celebratory illustration of two silhouetted business leaders facing each other with a golden city skyline, upward growth arrow, and radiant background symbolizing Compass’s merger success.

Compass’s Journey: From NYC Startup to Industry Leader

In just over a decade Compass has evolved from a single Manhattan office into the nation’s No. 1 residential brokerage, expanding coast-to-coast through more than twenty strategic acquisitions—including Pacific Union, Alain Pinel, and @properties/Christie’s—that added thousands of top agents and tens of billions in annual sales volume. Backed by over $1.5 billion in venture funding and a 2021 IPO, the company blended a technology-first platform with an agent-centric culture to redefine how homes are bought and sold. That relentless growth now culminates in Compass’s planned $1.6 billion merger with Anywhere Real Estate, a move that will unite over 340,000 professionals and position Compass to shape the next era of residential real estate.

Collage illustration celebrating Brookline and Newton, MA—Green Line trolley, Coolidge Corner streetscape, leafy homes, Charles River with kayakers, farmers’ market, and a gold ribbon emblem—rendered in warm greens and golds, no text

Brookline Tops the Nation for Quality of Life

When U.S. News & World Report released its latest “Best Places to Live for Quality of Life” rankings, Brookline, Massachusetts, claimed the #1 spot in the entire country. For residents, this comes as welcome validation of what they experience daily: a town where excellent schools, cultural vitality, and walkable streets create a lifestyle that consistently outshines national peers. For homebuyers and sellers, the ranking adds another layer of urgency to an already competitive housing market.