Cost of Living

Boston, United States

Live cost-of-living data for Boston — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
85/ 10015% cheaper than New York
+2% rent since Jul 2026
$5,385/mo
Median Income
65/100
Safety
5%
Income Tax
humid continental
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
89/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$3,477/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$2,619/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$5,971/month
Food & Groceries
65/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.3/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$2.8/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2/kg
Transportation
45/100
Monthly Transit Pass$90/month
One-Way Ticket$2/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.8/km
Utilities
72/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$236/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$65/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$55/month
Healthcare
75/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$120/visit
Dentist Visit$140/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$25/course
Education
70/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$1,200/month
International Primary School (yearly)$28,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$900/course
Entertainment
68/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$18/ticket
Theater Ticket$75/ticket
Museum Entry$20/ticket
Clothing
68/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$75/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$50/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$110/pair
Personal Care
62/100
Haircut (Men)$35/cut
Haircut (Women)$65/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$7/bottle
Dining Out
72/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$18/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$80/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$11/meal
Childcare
75/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,500/month
Babysitter (per hour)$20/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$25/pack
Fitness & Sports
60/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$65/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$30/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

179 Mbps
Internet Speed
$235
Coworking/Month
good
Café WiFi
high
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
72/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Downtown/Seaport

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston cheap to live in?

Boston has a cost of living index of 85/100, where New York = 100. It is 15% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $3,060–$4,284 per month.

How much does rent cost in Boston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Boston costs approximately $3,477/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $2,619/month.

Is Boston good for digital nomads?

Boston has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 179 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $235/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Boston?

The median net monthly salary in Boston is approximately $5,385 USD. The income tax rate is around 5%.

How does Boston compare to New York for cost of living?

Boston (cost index 85) is 15% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $375/month by moving from New York to Boston.

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