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 | 121% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 3% higher | 54% higher |
| Food | 0% | 3% higher |
| Healthcare | 13% higher | 34% higher |
| Transportation | 2% lower | 5% higher |
| Goods & Services | 11% lower | 17% higher |
The cost of living in Boston, MA is same as the state average and 48% higher than the national average. Boston, MA housing is 121% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 54% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 3% pricier in Boston, MA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 17% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 34% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 17% 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 $3,673, while home prices circle around $1,082,320.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Boston, energy bills cost around $414.84 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 $4.90 in Boston, a dozen eggs go for around $5.10 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.12.
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 $264.09, while a dentist appointment is priced $152.78 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.02 in Boston, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $77.81.
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 $41.60 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $41.30.
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 $18.48 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $51.40, while dry cleaning costs about $24.55.
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 $97,344.