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Cost of living in Boston, MA
Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Boston, MA.
One person, a month
$1,518
Living costs excluding rent
Family of four, a month
$5,325
Living costs excluding rent
One-bedroom rent, centre
$3,477
A month
Gross salary, one person
$63,000
to cover living costs in Boston, MA
Boston, MA's cost of living at a glance
Boston, MA is one of the most expensive cities in both the United States and North America. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Boston, MA are $1,518, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are $5,325 a month, excluding rent.
A single person in Boston, MA may need a gross salary of at least $63,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
One person's monthly costs
Numbeo household estimate in USD, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
How Boston, MA compares
One person's monthly costs in Boston, MA, excluding rent, are 23.5% higher than in the typical city in the United States and 68.4% higher than in the typical city worldwide.
Where Boston, MA ranks
In the United States
3rd of 290
One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.
In North America
5th of 418
Cities in North America with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.
Worldwide
100th percentile
Costs the same as or more than 100% of 1,942 cities: one of the most expensive cities.
One-bedroom rent, centre
3rd of 290
Cities in the United States, most expensive first.
Monthly costs against the typical city
- Boston, MA
- Typical national city
- Typical city worldwide
Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.
| Monthly cost | Boston, MA | Typical national city | Typical city worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $3,477 | $1,699 +104.6% | $742 +368.2% |
| Groceries | $486 | $396 +22.9% | $281 +73.0% |
| Eating out | $279 | $217 +28.8% | $158 +76.7% |
| Transport | $90 | $60 +50.0% | $40 +125.0% |
| Utilities | $311 | $284 +9.3% | $175 +77.8% |
| Leisure | $120 | $67.84 +76.5% | $61.97 +93.2% |
| Total excluding rent | $1,518 | $1,229 +23.5% | $902 +68.4% |
| Total including rent | $4,995 | $2,930 +70.5% | $1,673 +198.5% |
Typical = the median of 290 cities in the United States and 1,942 cities worldwide.
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Explore prices in Boston, MA
The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.
Renting in Boston, MA
Boston, MA is the 3rd most expensive city in the United States for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in the United States is San Francisco, CA.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs $3,477 a month.
Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs $2,619 a month.
A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 33% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | $3,477 | $3,000– |
| 1-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | $2,619 | $2,000– |
| 3-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | $5,971 | $4,800– |
| 3-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | $3,939 | $3,200– |
| Price per m² in the city centre | $13,072 | $10,764– |
| Price per m² outside the centre | $6,367 | $5,382– |
Cost of everyday items in Boston, MA
Groceries in Boston, MA are around 20% more expensive than the average for the United States, while eating out is around 27% more expensive than the country average.
A litre of milk typically costs $1.29.
A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs $4.27.
A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs $12.54.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1 litre | $1.29 | $0.79– |
| Fresh white bread, 500g | $4.27 | $2.49– |
| Eggs, 12 large | $5.14 | $2– |
| Local cheese, 1kg | $14.99 | $9.04– |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | $14.34 | $6.61– |
| Beef round, 1kg | $19.08 | $15.43– |
| Apples, 1kg | $6.11 | $3– |
| Oranges, 1kg | $5.71 | $2.76– |
| Potatoes, 1kg | $4.43 | $1.96– |
| Lettuce, 1 head | $2.72 | $2– |
| White rice, 1kg | $6.14 | $2.76– |
| Tomatoes, 1kg | $7.22 | $2.20– |
| Bananas, 1kg | $1.88 | $1.30– |
| Onions, 1kg | $3.69 | $2.18– |
| Water, 1.5 litre bottle | $2.79 | $1– |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | $17.20 | $11– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle | $3.03 | $2.10– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | $5.16 | $3– |
| Cigarettes, 20 pack | $12.54 | $12– |
Eating out in Boston, MA
A 0.5-litre draught beer typically costs $8, making Boston, MA one of the most expensive places in the United States to buy a beer.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | $25 | $17– |
| Three-course meal for two | $110 | $75– |
| Fast food combo meal | $12 | $8.99– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught | $8 | $6– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | $9 | $8– |
| Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottle | $2.73 | $2– |
| Water, 0.33 litre bottle | $2.22 | $1.89– |
| Cappuccino | $5.04 | $4– |
Transport in Boston, MA
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| One-way public transport ticket | $2.40 | $2.40– |
| Monthly public transport pass | $90 | $85– |
| Gasoline, 1 litre | $0.88 | $0.79– |
| Taxi start | $2.60 | $2.60–$2.60 |
| Taxi, per km | $1.75 | $1.75–$1.75 |
| Taxi waiting, 1 hour | $28 | $28–$28 |
| Volkswagen Golf, new | $36,584 | $30,000– |
| Toyota Corolla sedan, new | $25,729 | $24,000– |
Utilities in Boston, MA
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment Monthly | $236 | $150– |
| Broadband internet Monthly | $86.02 | $55– |
| Mobile phone plan Monthly | $56.63 | $30– |
How is Boston, MA for families?
A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of $143,000 a year in Boston, MA, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs $2,885 a month.
A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs $5,971 a month.
Boston, MA scores 60/100 on Numbeo's safety index.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Family of four, excluding rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | $5,325 | Not applicable |
| Family of four, including rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | $11,296 | Not applicable |
| Private preschool or kindergarten Monthly | $2,885 | $2,550– |
| International primary school Annual | $35,893 | $27,570– |
Leisure and clothing in Boston, MA
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership Monthly | $77.86 | $35– |
| Tennis court rental, 1 hour | $41.88 | $40– |
| Cinema ticket | $15 | $12– |
| Jeans | $70.19 | $33– |
| Summer dress from a chain store | $47.18 | $25– |
| Nike running shoes | $117 | $45– |
| Men's leather business shoes | $146 | $80– |
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
What salary do I need to live in Boston, MA?
By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in the United States, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Boston, MA. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Boston, MA, and where your money goes.
Recommended gross salary
$63,047
Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Boston, MA, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.
- Take-home pay
- $49,641
- Living costs
- $49,641
- Tax and contributions
- $13,405
Where your salary goes
- Living costs$49,64178.7%
- Income tax and contributions$13,40521.3%
| Operator | Item | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $63,047 | |
| − | Income tax and contributions | $13,405 |
| = | Take-home pay | $49,641 |
| − | Rent | $31,426 |
| − | Groceries | $5,833 |
| − | Eating out | $3,354 |
| − | Transport | $1,080 |
| − | Utilities | $3,727 |
| − | Leisure | $1,437 |
| − | Other estimated costs | $2,785 |
| = | Left over: savings target | $0 |
$63,047 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 21.3% effective tax rate and $13,405 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.
What the estimate includes
- Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
- National income tax for 2026
- Employee social contributions, simplified
What it doesn't include
- Regional, state or local income tax
- Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
- Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
- Bonuses, benefits and other income
- Child care or school unless you choose it
Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.
How each cost is worked out
Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Boston, MA costs an estimated $2,619 per month. $2,619 per month × 12 months = $31,426 a year.
Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Boston, MA spends an estimated $486 on groceries per month. $486 per month × 12 months = $5,833 a year.
Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Boston, MA spends an estimated $279 on eating out per month. $279 per month × 12 months = $3,354 a year.
Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Boston, MA spends an estimated $90 on transport per month. $90 per month × 12 months = $1,080 a year.
Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Boston, MA spends an estimated $311 on utilities per month. $311 per month × 12 months = $3,727 a year.
Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Boston, MA spends an estimated $120 on leisure per month. $120 per month × 12 months = $1,437 a year.
Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. $232 per month × 12 months = $2,785 a year.
See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated
Tax estimate assumptions
Tax year 2026. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. Federal tax for Single Filer, effective Jan 1, 2026. TCJA rates made permanent by OBBBA (Jul 2025). Bottom 2 brackets +4%, higher brackets +2.3% inflation adjustment.
Important
This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, the United States's tax rules for 2026 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries / IRS.
Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.
Cost of living in Boston, MA: common questions
Is Boston, MA expensive to live in?
Boston, MA is one of the most expensive cities in both the United States and North America.
A single person spends about $1,518 a month excluding rent, against $1,229 in the typical city in the United States (the median of 290 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).
Worldwide, Boston, MA costs the same as or more than 100% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it one of the most expensive cities.
What salary do you need to live in Boston, MA?
A single person may need a gross salary of at least $63,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Boston, MA, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and the United States's tax rules for 2026. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.
How much is rent in Boston, MA?
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs $3,477 a month, and $2,619 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.
A three-bedroom apartment costs about $5,971 a month in the centre and $3,939 outside it.
Boston, MA is the 3rd most expensive city in the United States for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
How much does a family spend in Boston, MA?
A family of four spends about $5,325 a month on living costs excluding rent, or $11,296 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.
With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of $143,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs $2,885 a month per child.
How does Boston, MA compare with the United States's other cities?
Boston, MA ranks 3rd of 290 cities in the United States for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.
Excluding rent, one person's costs are 23.5% more than in the typical city in the United States.
Where this data comes from
- Living costs and prices
- Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
- Exchange rates
- Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
- Tax rules
- Expatica salary tax calculator, United States 2026
- Locations and population
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
- Regions for continent ranks
- UN M49 regions
Important
All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.
How living costs and salaries are calculated
- Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
- Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
- "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
- Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
- The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for the United States (2026). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
- Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
- A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 290 cities in the United States in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
- Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Boston, MA's.
- Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
- Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside the United States and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
- The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.