Information About Parking in Boston

Boston is a city with plenty of transit options and lots of downtown pedestrianization. However, with 600,000 residents and another 1,500,000 people entering the city each day to work or visit, the city is struggling to provide enough parking. This issue is compounded in historic districts that boast narrow streets and plentiful parking restrictions, and during the winter months, when many areas prohibit street parking to allow for plowing. For those who drive, there are a variety of possible parking spots in Boston, from street parking to private garages and underground car parks. The cost of parking in Boston can range from $1.25 an hour to $3.75 an hour in metered spaces, but there is usually a two hour time limit on these spots. And they are few and far between. A more viable option may be using one of the many monthly parking spaces that are for rent all across Boston.

Boston Parking Statistics

• There are 35,556 public parking spaces in downtown commercial facilities.
• There are roughly 8,000 metered parking spaces.
• The number of residential parking permits has grown year-on-year, to over 100,000 today.
• Boston was ranked as the worst city in the country in a recent study analyzing city congestion, and eighth worst worldwide.
• As an example of the high demand for prime location parking spots: one private space in Beacon Hill was recently listed for $650,000.