A client who owns an old single-family home in the Alston area of Boston recently shared that they were shocked by the estimates they received from a landscaping company while considering hiring them for yard maintenance. The monthly cost was higher than expected, and including snow removal in the winter would add to the burden. It's a complex issue that's hard to categorize as simply good or bad, so it's better to break it down by item.

The first question that comes to mind is how much could be saved by moving to a condo. Currently, the median listing price for 44 condos available in Alston is around $654,000. In all of Boston, the median condo fee, which corresponds to HOA fees, is $386 per month, and nearly 30 percent of condo owners pay over $500 a month. In contrast, the median price for single-family homes in Boston is $890,500, and in the Greater Boston area, the median price for single-family homes rises to $1,032,500. While condo fees can feel burdensome, when you consider the price of single-family homes along with landscaping and roof repair costs, condos are not always more expensive.

What about heating costs? Massachusetts has long winters and many homes use gas heating. Recently, Eversource's gas rates for winter increased by 13 percent compared to the previous year, resulting in an average bill increase of $41.24 for typical households. National Grid has also applied for a gas rate increase, and both companies have raised electric rates by around 5 percent. However, starting in November 2025, a new seasonal rate plan for homes using heat pumps will be introduced, lowering the basic winter rate. This means that the perceived burden may vary depending on whether heating is done with gas or a heat pump.

Property taxes in Boston are relatively low compared to other areas in Massachusetts. As of 2026, the residential property tax rate in Boston is $12.40 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $11.58 the previous year. Seniors aged 65 and older who meet income and asset requirements can receive the Clause 41C senior tax exemption, which has been adjusted to allow for an additional $1,000 on top of the maximum $1,000 for the 2026 fiscal year. However, this program operates with different age and amount criteria in each city and town, so it's advisable to check the current standards directly with the Boston Assessor's Office for Alston.

Neighborhoods close to downtown Boston, like Alston, often have many old triple-decker homes, which are three-story multi-family wooden houses. These homes frequently have separate heating systems for each floor, so if an old boiler is still in use, simply replacing it can reduce winter heating costs. In contrast, condos often share a single heating system for the entire building, meaning individual units do not need to manage their own boilers.

Active senior communities, which require residents to be 55 and older, are more commonly found in suburban towns than in downtown Boston. In densely populated areas near universities like Alston, it can be challenging to find such communities, so if you want to reduce management burdens, it's practical to first look at general condos and then separately compare senior communities in suburban towns.

When receiving a property tax bill, it's also clear that Boston's residential property tax rate is set much lower than commercial rates. As of 2026, the commercial property tax rate is $26.96 per $1,000, which is more than double the residential rate of $12.40. This policy has been maintained for a long time to reduce the burden on residential property owners, indicating that commercial real estate plays a significant role in the city's finances.

While the landscaping estimate was a starting point, the actual comparison should include management fees, taxes, and heating costs altogether. Since tax and fee structures can vary by city and town, this article does not constitute investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with professionals before making any contracts.