Cost of Living in Boston, MA [Jul 2025]

The cost of living in Boston is 50.8% more expensive than the average U.S. city. That means single residents spend around $94,800 a year to live in the city—for families, the cost rises to approximately $125,640 a year.

Let’s dig deeper into the cost of living in Boston compared to the state of Massachusetts and the United States as a whole. Sperling’s BestPlaces offers a breakdown of costs by category as follows.

The Cost of Living in Boston: By the Numbers

It’s important to note that these figures provide an average across the city. The cost of living can vary drastically depending on what neighborhood you call home, and there are plenty of affordable neighborhoods in Boston to choose from.

Higher Cost of Living in Boston

One of the areas in Boston with the highest cost of living is Back Bay, where rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages at $6,198.

Lower Cost of Living in Boston

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have Commonwealth, a sub-neighborhood of Allston located between Fenway Park and Boston College. A one-bedroom apartment in Commonwealth has an average rent of $2,740.

How Much Is Rent in Boston?

It’s essential to budget accordingly when moving to Boston, where the higher cost of living often means paying more in monthly rent. Boston rents are up 0.8% year over year, and the overall average rent in Boston as of June 2025 is $3,836 per month.

How Much Is Rent for a One-Bedroom Apartment in Boston, MA?

Based on our internal data, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Boston as of June 2025 is $3,566.

How Much Is Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Boston, MA?

A two-bedroom apartment in Boston has an average price of $4,361 as of June 2025.

How Much Is the Average City Rent in Boston, MA?

What Salary Do I Need to Live in Boston?

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Boston residents is $96,931, and based on an estimate from the MIT living wage calculator, the living wage is $30.74 per hour for a full-time employed single individual without children. However, these aren’t necessarily the numbers you should aim for to comfortably live in the Boston area.

The living wage is defined as the minimum amount of money needed to live above the poverty threshold. It excludes expenses for restaurants, entertainment, and vacations. It also doesn't allow for savings.

The standard 30% rule advises that you should not spend more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. Adhering to this guideline means affording all your bills and having money left for entertainment and savings. For example, you’d have to earn a salary of $142,640 to comfortably afford the average one-bedroom apartment in Boston, which costs $3,566 monthly.

How Much Are Utilities in Boston?

The cost of utilities in Boston is another metric that's difficult to pin down, since many different factors influence it. The amount of money you shell out at the end of the month depends on both personal preferences, lifestyle habits, and the age of the apartment you choose.

Boston's average utility bill is $229.04 a month, which is higher than the national average but lower than some other major cities in Massachusetts. This number only includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage services, and excludes phone and internet bills.

Consider the following factors as well when you're estimating your own utilities:

• Personal preferences: If you don't mind bundling up indoors during the Boston winters, you might save some money. However, if you can't stand low temperatures, you'll probably crank the thermostat. That’ll cause a higher bill. The same goes for the air conditioning in the summertime.
• Apartment Age: Newer apartments are usually designed for energy efficiency. Unfortunately, an older apartment might not be as efficient. You'll end up noticing the difference in your monthly utility bill.
• Apartment size: It's simple. Larger apartments are usually harder to heat and cool than smaller apartments. Also, running a central system means you won’t be focusing on individual spaces.
• Roommates: The major upside of having roommates is that you save money. However, in some cases, a roommate can cause you to spend more on utility costs as they use their share.
• All-inclusive rent prices: Some landlords bundle the cost of all utilities in the rent price. If that's the case, you can remove the utility category from your budget; however, you'll likely have to spend more on rent.

How Much Is Transportation in Boston?

As one of the country's largest metropolitan areas, Boston has a robust network of public transportation to support its residents. Single residents pay about $9,968 a year, while a family of four with two adults and two children will pay $16,719 annually on combined transportation costs.

Public transportation in Boston is covered by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), known colloquially by residents as the T. You can find your way across the city and the greater metropolitan area via ferries, the subway, buses, and light rail trains.

Fares vary greatly, depending on the trip you’re planning. If you’re looking to utilize public transit for all your excursions, you might prefer the $90 monthly LinkPass, which grants you unlimited travel for a calendar month via subway, local and rapid bus, and the Charlestown and East Boston ferries. Express buses come with an additional cost.

Standard one-way fares vary depending on your mode of travel. However, you can expect to pay a minimum of $1.70 for a local bus trip. You'll have to pay more for any other mode of travel: $2.40 for a single subway ride, between $2.40 and $13.25 for the commuter rail, and between $2.40 and $9.75 for one-way ferry rides. Prices vary according to the zone differences. If you have a disability that prevents you from using public transit, the RIDE service provides door-to-door transportation at a rate of between $1.70 and $5.60 per trip, depending on distances and eligible discounts.

How Much Are Food Costs in Boston?

Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the country when it comes to food costs. If you're a single adult, you'll pay about $5,012 a year on food. A family of four (two working adults and two children) will spend $14,692 annually.

You can expect to pay around $25 per person for a meal at a low-cost restaurant, according to Numbeo. For a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant, you’ll pay $127.50. In short, expect to allocate a lot of funds toward feeding yourself when living in Boston.

How Much Is Child Care in Boston, MA?

Child care is a significant monthly expense in Boston. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a single child in child care will cost $23,800, and that number jumps to $42,206 for two children. To help reduce child care costs, parents can consider creative solutions like babysitting groups, nanny shares, working remotely, or alternating shifts with a partner.

How Much Are Healthcare Costs in Boston?

Boston healthcare costs are tracked and recorded by the Office of the Attorney General. The most recent annual health care cost trends report notes rising costs and out-of-pocket expenses for Boston residents.

Single residents will pay around $3,911 in medical costs each year. If you're a family of four with two kids, you'll likely spend $11,226 annually. Many sources note that the average cost for a family insurance premium is set at $7,597 per year, or $633.08 per month. Additionally, residents with employer-sponsored insurance premiums face paying 24% of the premium cost out of pocket. Overall, the cost of health insurance in Boston is high.

Fitness and Entertainment Costs in Boston

It's natural to want to enjoy all the amenities that a major city like Boston has to offer. From professional sports teams such as the Celtics (NBA) and the Red Sox (MLB) to the local delicacies of seafood, there's tons of entertainment and fun in the city.

If you want to catch a Celtics game, Boston has affordable tickets starting at $47. Red Sox tickets can be very affordable, starting at $8 with an average price of $331.

You'll probably want to break a sweat to burn all those extra calories from the delicious ballpark food. Gym memberships in Boston can be an investment at $80.68 a month on average.

Free Things to Do Around Boston

Boston has a wide range of trails and scenic routes to take for those who prefer a frugal way of exercising. Local parks make for great running spots. Not to mention, the parks’ wide expanse makes them the perfect place to get some fresh air under the summer sun. Popular free attractions like Boston Common, the USS Constitution Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Art (free on the last Thursday of the month) make exploring the city easy on your wallet. In the warmer months, don’t miss the free concerts at the Hatch Shell along the Charles River. \

Boston State Taxes

Taxes in Boston might catch newcomers off guard. While Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax, there’s also a 4% surtax on income over $1 million. The state sales tax is 6.25%, which is lower than in many major cities. Property taxes can also add up, though Boston offers a residential exemption for homeowners to reduce the taxable value of their home.

Other Expenses to Consider in Boston

Building a budget is no easy task, especially when you're building one to move to a new city. Beyond the obvious cost categories, there are other expenses that you'll have to account for to create an accurate budget.

Here's an average cost breakdown of some of the other expenses to consider in Boston:

• Internet costs: $78.01 for 60 Mbps or more
• Child care costs: $2,793.33 for one month of full-day private child care for one child
• Movie ticket: $15.50
• Bottle of mid-range wine: $17.39

Budgeting for Boston

The best way to determine whether you can afford to live in a high-cost city like Boston is to create an accurate and detailed budget. However, budgeting for an apartment may be easier said than done.

There are numerous hidden costs, like renters insurance, which can make it difficult to get an accurate number. This is true regardless of where you move, whether it’s Boston or Los Angeles.

The golden rule of budgeting is to overestimate when you're not sure about something's true cost. This way, you'll end up with extra money, rather than underfunded and scrambling to make up the difference.

Here are some resources to get you started:

• Monthly budgeting template (via Google Sheets)
• Free reactive budgeting apps like Mint
• Subscription-based proactive budgeting apps like YNAB and EveryDollar

Note: The difference between proactive and reactive budgeting apps is the methodology behind them. Reactive apps make it easy for you to see where your money has gone. Proactive apps make it easy for you to plan where your money will go. What’s right for you depends on your personal preference.

Boston’s Job Market

Boston continues to attract talent from across the country with its diverse economy and presence of major employers, including General Electric, Liberty Mutual, and Wayfair, as well as top hospitals and research centers like Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Tech giants such as Amazon, Google, and Meta have also expanded their footprint in the Seaport and Kendall Square. Similarly, Boston’s life sciences sector, anchored by companies like Moderna, Biogen, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is thriving.

Find Your Next Apartment in Boston

If you're determined to make your move to the city of Boston, and, more importantly, you know you can afford it, congratulations! But if Boston doesn't seem like the city for you, check out the other best places to live in Massachusetts.

Boston is one of the largest and most popular cities in the U.S. It has a lot to offer its residents. However, Boston is also one of the costliest cities, which is why it's crucial to maximize the bang for your buck.

You don't want to miss out on your dream apartment just because you didn't see it in time. That's where Apartment List can help.

Finding your dream apartment in Boston is as simple as telling us what you're looking for in an apartment. We handle the rest. Get started with our quiz—the result is curated lists of available apartments based on your needs and wants. With Apartment List, you’ll spend five minutes and save 50 hours searching.

FAQs: Cost of Living in Boston in 2025

How expensive is an apartment in Boston?

Boston rents are some of the highest in the nation. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Boston is $3,566. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Boston is $4,361.

How expensive is it to live in Boston?

In Boston, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $3,566 per month. Public transportation costs $1.70 for a one-way local bus ticket or $2.40 for a one-way train ticket. Food for a single adult costs about $5,012 a year in Boston for meals and snacks. Eating out costs $25 for a single entree at a low-cost restaurant and $127.50 for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant.

Is Boston cheaper than New York?

Boston is significantly cheaper than New York City. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living in NYC is 72.5% higher than the U.S. average. For comparison, Boston’s cost of living is 50.8% higher than the national average. That’s a difference of more than 20%.

Boston rents have increased by 0.8% in comparison to this time last year. However, rents in New York City climbed a whopping 23% over the same period, growing from a citywide average of $5,464 to $6,723 in just 12 months. For further comparison, a one-bedroom apartment in Boston costs an average of $3,566, and a one-bedroom apartment in New York City costs $5,675 on average—that’s a 37.2% difference.

What is a good salary in Boston?

The U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey reports that the median household income in Boston is $96,931. However, to stick to the rule of spending only 30% of your monthly income on rent, you will need an income of more than $100,000 to live comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment.

How far is Cambridge, MA from Boston?

Cambridge is 3.3 miles away from Boston and usually takes around 20 minutes to drive with average traffic. You can drive or walk across the Harvard Bridge, also known locally as the MIT Bridge or the “Mass Ave.” Bridge, which connects the two cities.

How far is Boston from New York?

It's 216 miles between New York City and Boston, MA, which takes up to five hours of driving during normal traffic. Locals also take an Amtrak train to get between the two cities, which takes less than four hours.

How far is Salem from Boston?

Salem is 16 miles from Boston, but it usually takes at least 40 minutes in normal traffic conditions. You can also take the ferry, which takes up to an hour and 30 minutes to complete your journey.

What is the population of Boston?

According to the 2020 census, the population of Boston is 675,647. The entire population of the state of Massachusetts was 7,029,917 in 2020.