Why does down payment vary across Massachusetts?

Home prices vary widely; a 12% down payment scales with the local median. Owner financing often accepts less.

Yes, owner-finance deals commonly land in the 10-20% range. Conventional underwriting usually wants 20% to avoid PMI.

Can I find lower-down options?

Browse low-down-payment homes by city, many owner-finance and lease-option deals sit under 10%.

Buyer authority MA

Estimated owner-finance down payment by city in Massachusetts.

Down payments scale with home prices but flex by financing type. This ranks Massachusetts cities by an estimated typical down payment on an owner-financed or low-down deal (12% of estimated median home value). This is a modeled directional comparison, not a survey of actual closings.

Last updated November 2026

Massachusetts ranking

50 cities ranked. Click any row for the matching local page.

#	City	Est. typical down payment	Score
1	Indian Orchard	$44,000	60	View →
2	Roxbury	$44,900	59	View →
3	Roxbury Crossing	$46,600	57	View →
4	North Adams	$47,900	56	View →
5	Hyannis	$48,400	55	View →
6	Fall River	$49,800	54	View →
7	Lawrence	$49,100	54	View →
8	Allston	$49,700	54	View →
9	New Bedford	$50,500	53	View →
10	Holyoke	$50,600	53	View →
11	Southbridge	$51,200	52	View →
12	Orange	$51,100	52	View →
13	Adams	$52,700	50	View →
14	Gardner	$55,300	47	View →
15	Springfield	$56,800	46	View →
16	Athol	$56,800	46	View →
17	Greenfield	$57,600	45	View →
18	Mattapan	$58,600	44	View →
19	Dorchester	$59,600	43	View →
20	Webster	$59,400	43	View →
21	South Yarmouth	$60,600	42	View →
22	Pittsfield	$60,800	41	View →
23	Fitchburg	$61,400	41	View →
24	Ware	$61,300	41	View →
25	Lynn	$61,600	40	View →
26	Chicopee	$61,800	40	View →
27	Chelsea	$62,000	40	View →
28	Brighton	$63,700	38	View →
29	Buzzards Bay	$63,400	38	View →
30	Palmer	$63,500	38	View →
31	Worcester	$65,000	37	View →
32	Brockton	$64,300	37	View →
33	Dorchester Center	$64,700	37	View →
34	Agawam	$64,400	37	View →
35	Winchendon	$64,600	37	View →
36	Everett	$65,300	36	View →
37	Wareham	$65,600	36	View →
38	West Yarmouth	$65,400	36	View →
39	Easthampton	$66,400	35	View →
40	Taunton	$67,000	34	View →
41	Fairhaven	$67,300	34	View →
42	Lowell	$68,300	33	View →
43	Revere	$68,400	33	View →
44	Harwich	$68,500	33	View →
45	West Springfield	$69,100	32	View →
46	Clinton	$69,500	32	View →
47	East Weymouth	$70,400	31	View →
48	Spencer	$69,800	31	View →
49	Malden	$70,900	30	View →
50	Whitinsville	$71,400	30	View →

Methodology

Estimated down = 12% of estimated median home value (representative of owner-financed and low-down deals). Conventional loans typically require 20%; FHA can be 3.5%. Use as a directional comparison.

FAQ

Why does down payment vary across Massachusetts?: Home prices vary widely; a 12% down payment scales with the local median. Owner financing often accepts less.
Is 12% realistic?: Yes, owner-finance deals commonly land in the 10-20% range. Conventional underwriting usually wants 20% to avoid PMI.
Can I find lower-down options?: Browse low-down-payment homes by city, many owner-finance and lease-option deals sit under 10%.