Cost of Living in Boston
Overall index: 162.4 — 14 points above Massachusetts average. Massachusetts statewide average: 148.5.
Where your money goes in Boston
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Boston
Estimated annual spending: $110,657($35,657 over budget)
What things cost in Boston
| Item | Boston | Massachusetts avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $680,000 | $620,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $3,100/mo | $3,094/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.41/gal | $3.41/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $212/mo | $212/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $28,000/yr | $26,709/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Boston vs Massachusetts statewide. National average = 100.
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Boston?
Boston has an overall cost-of-living index of 162.4 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Massachusetts statewide average of 148.5. Median home prices are $680,000 and average 2BR rent is $3,100/month.
Is Boston expensive to live in?
Yes, Boston is more expensive than the national average with an index of 162.4. Housing is the biggest factor at 252% of the national average.
How much does rent cost in Boston?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Boston is $3,100/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Massachusetts statewide average of $3,094/month.
What salary do I need to live in Boston?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $121,800 in Boston. You'll need a higher income to maintain the same standard of living.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Massachusetts Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Massachusetts Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Massachusetts — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Massachusetts statewide averages are used.