A single person needs roughly $6,303 per month to live in Boston, including about $3,500 for a one-bedroom rental. That works out to a pre-tax salary of around $194,000 per year to live comfortably.

Is Boston expensive to live in?▾

Boston has a cost-of-living index of 110, which is 10% above the US average of 100 — rated "Above average". Rent is about 133% higher than the national average.

What salary do you need to live in Boston?▾

To cover typical costs comfortably (a 50/30/20 budget), a single person needs a pre-tax salary of about $194,000 per year in Boston. Families or higher savers will need more.

Estimates for 2024 based on BEA Regional Price Parities + U.S. Census Bureau ACS. For general comparison only, not exact budgeting. Published 2026-06-03.

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