A $400,000 budget might cover enough square footage to buy a studio apartment in Boston, but finding single-family properties at this price point may prove difficult.

Over 48% of studio and one-bedroom listings in the city measure under 500 square feet.

Many Americans are planning a move this year, driven by lifestyle changes, family needs and homeownership goals, according to the 2026 State of Moving Forecast Survey by American Home Shield. 

On a deeper level, living in the Commonwealth’s ‘wicked smart’ environment means stability and quality of life, say experts.

Research revealed that over 92,000 Massachusetts households relied on HCVs as of September 2025.

U.S. home sales declined 6% year over year and 32% month over month in January, according to the latest REMAX National Housing Report.  

What’s driving the trend? High salaries that ease the financial burden on young movers, said researchers.

After five years of worsening, housing affordability has finally started to improve, according to a new Redfin study. 

Increasingly, retirees value safety — both physical and financial. With one of the highest life expectancies in the nation at 80.5 years, Boston offers this and more to the over-65 crowd.

With mortgage rates approaching 6%, 5.5 million additional buyers that could not qualify for a mortgage one year ago would qualify at today’s lower rates, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

As the housing market continues to adjust, design and community strategy have become drivers of buyer preference, according to Jenni Nichols, vice president of design at John Burns Research and Consulting.

A blizzard-ridden January brought more than just snow to Boston.

“All parties need to shake the ‘Facebook Marketplace’ mentality when it comes to real estate,” said CCIAOR CEO Betsy Hanson.

Zillow’s Home Value Index shows that in 13 of the past 20 years, home values in the metro area of the Super Bowl champion grew faster than the national average.

Boston will experience the slowest multifamily inventory growth since 2013 this year, according to Marcus & Millichap’s 2026 Boston Multifamily Investment Forecast.

Middle-income seniors stand to be affected most by projected shortages — those who don’t qualify for subsidized housing but can’t afford new construction.