Cost of Living Comparison for Boston, MA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Boston's cost of living index is 162 — 62% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Boston local data
How Boston Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Boston stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Boston, MA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $680,000 | $420,800 | +61.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,750 | $1,713 | +60.5% |
| Median Household Income | $89,400 | $74,580 | +19.9% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.06% | 1.10% | -3.6% |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 100 | +62.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Boston Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 4,920,000
- Unemployment
- 3.3%
- Avg Commute
- 32 min
- Median Age
- 32.6
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 20.6x
- Annual Property Tax
- $7,208
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Boston
What is the median home price in Boston, MA?
The median home price in Boston is $680,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Boston?
Median monthly rent in Boston is $2,750. That works out to $33,000/year, or 37% of the median household income — above the recommended 30% threshold.
Is Boston affordable?
Boston's cost of living index is 162 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $89,400/year and a median home price of $680,000, the price-to-income ratio is 7.6x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Boston household.
What is the property tax rate in Boston?
The effective property tax rate in Boston is 1.06% of assessed value. On the median home of $680,000, that's roughly $7,208/year ($601/month).