Moving and neighborhoods
Moving to Boca Raton as a renter
Boca Raton has the highest incomes and rents of the cities in these guides, with a Census median household income of $106,273 and median gross rent of $2,508 a month. About two-thirds of homes are owner-occupied, so many rentals are condos and houses let by individual owners, often inside associations that approve tenants. Brightline stops downtown across from Mizner Park and Tri-Rail stops at Yamato Road.
Updated Last checked 3 min read
Quick answer
- Population about 101,600. About 34% of homes are renter-occupied.
- Median gross rent $2,508, the highest of the cities in these guides.
- Many rentals sit in HOAs or condos that screen tenants.
- Plenty of 'Boca' addresses west of the turnpike are outside city limits.
On this page
Boca Raton by the numbers
| Topic | Boca Raton | Palm Beach County |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,582 | 1,575,726 |
| Median gross rent | $2,508 | $1,916 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.7% | 70.1% |
| Median household income | $106,273 | $83,581 |
| Average commute, one way | 21.2 minutes | 26.5 minutes |
Boca's median rent runs about $600 a month above the county's. The average commute is also the shortest in these guides.
Where renters look first
- Downtown and Mizner Park. Apartments and condos within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the Brightline station.
- East Boca. Older single-family homes and condo buildings between Federal Highway and the beach.
- Near Florida Atlantic University. Apartments and shared houses popular with students and staff.
- West Boca. Large planned communities and gated neighborhoods with HOAs, much of it in unincorporated Palm Beach County with a Boca Raton mailing address.
Inside city limits, or just a Boca address
Much of west Boca carries a Boca Raton mailing address but sits in unincorporated Palm Beach County. An address outside city limits follows county rules and county services, so its schools, trash pickup and police differ from the city's. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's parcel search shows the municipality for every address, and the Census figures above cover the city alone.
HOAs and condo boards
Many Boca rentals come with an association application on top of the landlord's. Expect a background check, an interview in some buildings, a fee and a wait. Some communities limit how often an owner can lease, set a minimum lease length, or bar pets for tenants. Get the rules before you apply. Condo and HOA approval has the questions to ask.
- Landlord accepts your application
- Day 1
- Association application, fee and background check sent in
- The first few days
- Board review, plus an interview if the building holds them
- Set by the documents, often weeks
Ask the building for its real timeline before you give notice where you live now.
Getting around
Brightline's Boca Raton station opened in December 2022 next to the downtown library, across from Mizner Park, and Brightline listed the ride to MiamiCentral at about an hour. Tri-Rail's Boca Raton station is on Yamato Road near the office parks. I-95 and Florida's Turnpike both run north and south through the city. More in commuting in South Florida.
Season changes the market
Winter brings seasonal residents, and furnished rentals from January to April price for them. If you're signing a 12-month lease, more choice tends to show up after the season, when owners turn to year-round tenants.
Questions people ask
How much is rent in Boca Raton?
Boca has the highest Census median of the South Florida cities in these guides, $2,508 a month for 2020 to 2024.
Is west Boca part of Boca Raton?
Much of it is not. Many western neighborhoods with Boca Raton addresses are in unincorporated Palm Beach County.
Do Boca Raton HOAs have to approve renters?
Many do, under their own governing documents. Ask for the application, fee, timeline and leasing rules before you apply.
Free help from Rentvana
Get a shortlist of Boca homes, and help with the HOA approval when you pick one.
Renters never pay Rentvana. A licensed agent replies within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm.
Questions first? Call 888-601-8344 or email hello@rentvana.com.
Words in this guide
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boca Raton city, Floridacensus.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palm Beach County, Floridacensus.gov
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser: Searchpbcpao.gov
- Brightline: Brightline opens new stations in Boca Raton and Aventura (December 20, 2022)gobrightline.com
- Discover The Palm Beaches: Tri-Rail in The Palm Beaches, stations and ticketsthepalmbeaches.com
Checked against these sources on by Rentvana Editorial. If something has changed, email hello@rentvana.com and we'll fix it.
Questions?
Call 888-601-8344 to talk to a licensed agent, or email hello@rentvana.com and one gets back to you within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm. Renters never pay Rentvana.