5 Pros and Cons of Living in Boston

Boston is a city with deep history, old-world charm, a strong job market, and a culturally diverse makeup. But living in Beantown also means dealing with cold winters, high rent, and a competitive housing market.

In this guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons of living in Boston, and highlight key considerations such as cost of living, jobs, schools, and safety.

Note: We used internal data and cross-referenced with neighborhood data from Rent.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across our Boston neighborhood picks as of September 2025. Crime grades are from CrimeGrade.org, and school ratings are from Niche.com.*

Key Insights

Boston’s current citywide average rent sits at $3,786 per month across all rental unit sizes. An average one-bedroom apartment costs $3,484, while a two-bedroom apartment rents for an average of $4,264 per month.

The year-over-year rent growth stands at +0.7%, and the median household income is $97,791.

Quick Facts About Chicago

1. Pro: World-Class Education

Boston is a major draw for global education, as its home to top universities like Harvard and MIT. These institutions have leading medical research centers, and the city also has many biotech/tech firms. Such high-level educational institutions mean opportunity for knowledge-workers, as well as leading the charge in innovation. One happy side effect is increased diversity in the city.

2. Con: High Cost of Living & High Housing Costs

Bostonians spend a lot of money to have the privilege of living in the city. Better Places estimates residents spend around 50.8% more than the national average on living expenses, and housing costs are driving that spending.

A single adult can expect to spend an average of $3,484 on a one-bedroom apartment. Other high living expenses include utilities, which are 16.8% higher than the national average. Even with a good salary, many residents may struggle, especially when a large portion of their income goes to housing.

3. Pro: Great Walkability & Public Transportation

Boston is a dense, fairly walkable city with an overall walk score of 83. To increase accessibility, the city also has extensive public transit options, including buses, commuter rails, ferries, and bike-sharing, that make it possible to live there without a car.

Walkability and how good public transit options are depend on the neighborhood you live in. Check walk and transit scores for individual neighborhoods before making your decision.

4. Con: Cold, Harsh Winters

Boston winters are cold, harsh, snowy, and often severe. Snowstorms can cause heating prices to soar, take out power, and disrupt public transportation. If cold winter months aren’t appealing, you may be better off searching for rental units in Florida or Georgia.

Another cost to consider is that, because the winters are so cold, you’ll also have to invest in good-quality winter clothes such as coats, long pants, and boots.

5. Pro: Rich History & Culture

When it comes to history and culture, it’s hard to beat Boston’s offerings. Music, parks, theater, museums, sports teams (Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox, community events, and historical architecture. You’ll never run out of things to do, and there are also plenty of green spaces and waterfront access.

A few Boston favorites include the Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Fenway Park Tours, Boston Public Library, and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.

Is Boston a Good Place to Live?

Yes, for those who value walkability, culture, education, and living in an area with a solid job market, Boston is a rewarding place. It’s particularly appealing to professionals in fields like tech, healthcare, and education, as well as students and those who value big-city amenities.

What’s it Like Living in Boston?

Boston has big city energy mixed with the charm of historic New England. Boston neighborhoods like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and downtown are elegant, walkable, and full of character; others like West Roxbury and Lower Roxbury are great for families. Commutes can vary, and while the subway is helpful, traffic congestion can get bad.

Green spaces like the Boston Common, Public Garden, waterfront areas, and the Charles River are popular. For outdoors lovers, there’s also proximity to beaches, hiking in nearby regions, and seasonal outdoor activities (fall foliage and skiing within a few hours).

What’s the Culture Like in Boston?

The city blends its colonial history with modern urban life. School pride, academic conferences, art, sports, food, all mixed together. There’s a strong local identity, and Bostonians are proud to be from the city. Nightlife is good but tends to be more polished, less sprawling than some larger U.S. metros. Winters limit some outdoor options when it comes to entertainment and dining. Dining, theater, and cultural events are also strong draws for new residents of the city.

What’s the Cost of Living in Boston?

Boston isn’t an affordable city for most renters. According to Best Places, the city has a 50.8% higher cost of living than the U.S. average and is 18.3% higher than the state average.

Housing costs are the most significant contributor to these higher overall costs, which are 128.7% higher than the national average. MIT’s Living Wage Calculator estimates that an individual Boston resident should earn $63,942 before taxes, and an estimated $23,911 of that will be spent on housing.

Cost of living data for Boston:

How Is the Job Market in Boston?

Boston typically has a strong job market, and its major industries include education, research, tech, finance, healthcare, and biotechnology. Major employers include Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Liberty Mutual, Fidelity Investments, and the Boston Globe.

As of July 2025, Boston’s unemployment rate was 4.9%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Unemployment rates in Boston usually stay fairly in line with the national average, reflecting the steady demand for workers in the city.

How Safe Is Boston?

Boston is a safe place for people to live. It has an overall B crime grade and many safe neighborhoods to choose from, such as West Roxbury, Oak Square, and Mission Hills.

According to the Boston Police Department Part One Crime Report, Boston has experienced a 33% decrease in homicides year-over-year. It has also seen a decrease in robbery and attempted robbery, but has experienced minor increases in reported incidents for domestic aggravated assault and non-domestic aggravated assault.

Overall, Boston is a very safe major U.S. city to live in, which is a draw for many renters.

What Are Schools Like in Boston?

Boston has top-rated K-12 options and respected universities. Notable high schools include Groton School, Weston High School, and Lexington High School.

For higher education, institutions such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University attract students from around the world.

Is Boston a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Yes, Boston is a great place to raise a family. There are many family-friendly neighborhoods with access to good schools, parks, and other perks. Those willing to move further outside the city center can get more value for their money. Family-friendly neighborhoods include Back Bay, West Roxbury, and Lower Roxbury.

What Are Some Popular Neighborhoods in Boston?

Boston has a wide range of neighborhoods with everything from downtown studios to quiet, family suburbs.

Here’s a look at average rent prices in some of the city’s most popular spots:

Is Living in Boston Right for You?

If you love history, cold winters, job opportunities, walkability, and great schools, and you can earn a high enough salary to pay the rent, Boston is right for you. If you prefer a low cost of living and milder weather, with larger apartments, moving to a nearby town or city may be preferable to Boston’s metro area.

Take Apartment List’s quiz to see which Boston neighborhood suits your lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Boston

What are the downsides of living in Boston?

High cost of living and housing costs are the main downsides of living in Boston. Also, the winter weather can be harsh, and traffic can be congested for those driving to work.

Why are people moving to Boston?

Most people move to Boston for educational reasons or to pursue job opportunities in fields such as research, biotechnology, and healthcare.

What are the biggest risks of living in Boston?

The biggest risk of living in Boston is the affordability issue. If you lose a job or make less money, it may be hard to survive in the city. The housing market also faces tight competition, making it challenging to find affordable rental prices.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Boston?

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator estimates that an individual Boston resident should earn $63,942 before taxes, and an estimated $23,911 of that will be spent on housing.