Is Boston, MA Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 100/100
Score 100/100 · Risk: low · Home Safety Grade A · Updated
Boston has low overall risk for homebuyers. Most safety indicators are within acceptable ranges.
Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:
What is a home safety score?
Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. Boston scores 100/100 with a "low" risk level.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Safety scores vary across Boston's 38 ZIP codes.
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02109 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02110 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02111 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02113 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02114 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02115 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02116 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02118 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02127 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02128 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02133 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02163 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02199 | 100 | A | View report → |
| 02205 | 100 | A | View report → |
Home Safety Overview
Boston, Massachusetts has low overall risk under the current model. The average Home Safety Score is 100/100 across 17 ZIP codes. The model covers water compliance, PFAS screening, radon, and annual air quality; property-level conditions still require inspection.
Safety Score Card
A composite view of Boston's key risk indicators:
| Risk Factor | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water Compliance | 0 EPA violations across 17 direct ZIP records | No violations in available records |
| Lead Risk | 0.0058 mg/L | Low risk |
| Flood Risk | 57% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones | Historical claims evidence |
| Radon | Zone 3 (Low) | Low risk |
| Air Quality | AQI 33 (Good) | Low risk |
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Home safety varies across Boston's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 02108 | 100 | A |
| 02109 | 100 | A |
| 02110 | 100 | A |
| 02111 | 100 | A |
| 02113 | 100 | A |
| 02114 | 100 | A |
| 02115 | 100 | A |
| 02116 | 100 | A |
| 02118 | 100 | A |
| 02127 | 100 | A |
| 02128 | 100 | A |
| 02133 | 100 | A |
| 02163 | 100 | A |
| 02199 | 100 | A |
| 02205 | 100 | A |
Boston vs. Nearby Massachusetts Cities
How Boston's overall risk compares to similar cities in Massachusetts:
| City | Home Safety Grade | Lead ZIPs Over Limit | Flood Claims | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | A | 0 | 292 | 232,258 |
| Worcester | C | 0 | 254 | 205,777 |
| Springfield | B | 0 | 21 | 144,960 |
| Cambridge | D | 0 | 82 | 118,073 |
Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Boston
Before purchasing a home in Boston, Massachusetts, complete these checks:
Water Quality
- Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
- Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)
Radon
- Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Flood Risk
- Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
- Review the claims-only zone evidence: 57% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.
Lead Paint & Pipes
- For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
- For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
- 72% of Boston homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended
General
- Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
- Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
- Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA SDWIS
- Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
- Flood: FEMA NFIP
- Radon: EPA Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirNow
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
- Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: Boston, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
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