Cost of Living in Boston, MA
| Cost of Living in Boston, MA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 6% higher | 124% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 10% higher | 26% higher |
| Food | 1% lower | 11% higher |
| Healthcare | 10% lower | 17% higher |
| Transportation | 3% lower | 28% higher |
| Goods & Services | 6% lower | 22% higher |
The cost of living in Boston, MA is 1% lower than the state average and 50% higher than the national average. Boston, MA housing is 124% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 26% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 22% more in Boston, MA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 22% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 17% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 22% pricier in Boston, MA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Boston is $3,462, while home prices circle around $924,779.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Boston, energy bills cost around $263.63 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $3.52 in Boston, a dozen eggs go for around $3.31 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.32.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Boston, an optometry check-up costs around $122.85, while a dentist appointment is priced $148.29 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.08 in Boston, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $95.24.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $35.16 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $28.32.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Boston, you should budget around $15.64 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $41.77, while dry cleaning costs about $16.29.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Boston, the median household income is $89,212.