The general rule of thumb when it comes to down payments in the Boston area is twenty percent of the price. So that means, with home prices where they are today, you’re looking at upwards of $100,000 up front.
According to the average listing prices of market-rate houses currently for sale in suburbs, Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Newton and Watertown we can extrapolate what an average downpayment costs in each.
First, the average listing price for houses (click the city to see the latest listings):
Arlington: $669,000
Belmont: $1,142,000
Cambridge: $1,375,000
Lexington: $650,000
Malden: $479,000
Medford: $539,000
Newton: $1,049,000
Watertown: $629,000
Now the down payments:
Arlington: $133,800
Belmont: $228,400
Cambridge: $275,000
Lexington: $130,000
Malden: $95,800
Medford: $107,800
Newton: $209,800
Watertown: $125,800
Keep in mind that these numbers are averages, so some will fall below and above. But on the whole if you’re looking to buy in any of these towns expect to be in these ballparks.