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Cost of Living in Boston

Boston, Massachusetts, United States · Population 4,453,352

▲ +8% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,439
Couple, monthly$2,630
Family of four, monthly$3,475

Estimated Prices in Boston

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$12.83per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$51.30per meal
Cappuccino$3.85each
Monthly groceries (single person)$291per month
Monthly public transport pass$47.03per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$124per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$35.91per month
Fitness club membership$35.91per month
Cinema ticket$9.41each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$840per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$584per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,753per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Boston is $4,446 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,439 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,871 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($584) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Boston

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs Los AngelesBoston vs ChicagoBoston vs MiamiBoston vs HoustonBoston vs Dallas

Nearby Cities

Brookline

5 km away · Massachusetts

Cambridge

7 km away · Massachusetts

Somerville

8 km away · Massachusetts

Milton

9 km away · Massachusetts

Quincy

9 km away · Massachusetts

Chelsea

10 km away · Massachusetts

Everett

10 km away · Massachusetts

Newton

10 km away · Massachusetts

Other Major Cities in United States

New York

New York · pop. 19,268,388

$1,664 / mo

Los Angeles

California · pop. 11,984,083

$1,635 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Living in Boston

Boston is one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,439, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $584 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $3,475 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,630 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Boston is $4,446. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,871 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,439 per month in Boston including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Boston?
A net salary of around $1,871 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Boston with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Boston is $4,446.
How much is rent in Boston?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $840 per month in the city centre and $584 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,753.
Is Boston cheaper than United States on average?
No — Boston is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the United States average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Boston?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $291 in Boston. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $13 and a cappuccino runs around $4.
How do transport costs in Boston compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Boston is estimated at $47. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Boston are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 4,453,352). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.