Did the Cost of Living in Boston, MA increase in 2024? Boston, MA area prices were up 2.5% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Boston, Massachusetts Boston has an area of 89.63 square miles (232.1 km2)—48.4 square miles (125.4 km2) (54%) of land and 41.2 square miles (106.7 km2) (46%) of water. The....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Massachusetts's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $15 per hour in 2024.
Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels.
View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting
Minimum Wage Values in Boston, MA
Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%.
Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%,
that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.
About Boston, MA
Boston has an area of 89.63 square miles (232.1 km2)—48.4 square miles (125.4 km2) (54%) of land and 41.2 square miles (106.7 km2) (46%) of water. The city's official elevation, as measured at Logan International Airport, is 19 ft (5.8 m) above sea level. The highest point in Boston is Bellevue Hill at 330 feet (100 m) above sea level, and the lowest point is at sea level. Situated onshore of the Atlantic Ocean, Boston is the only state capital in the contiguous United States with an oceanic shoreline.
Boston is surrounded by the "Greater Boston" region and is contiguously bordered by the citi...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the Cost of Living in Boston, MA
Will the cost of food in Boston, Massachusetts impact the overall cost of living there?
Yes, cost of food is important as we all have to eat! There are ways to save money on your food expenses if you plan carefully. Check out stores like Kroger to buy items in bulk at a considerable savings. At different times of the year you can get local produce for low prices at roadside stands or farmer’s markets. There are lots of ways to reduce food expenses and lower your overall cost of living in Boston, MA. (2024-03-27salary.com)
Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Boston, MA?
If you love sports, you will love Boston, MA! Since there are football, baseball, basketball, hockey teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Boston, MA, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Boston, MA, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. (2024-03-27salary.com)
What is the cost of internet and cable TV in Boston, MA?
The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. (2024-03-27salary.com)
I am nervous about moving, what is the typical cost of moving to another city and what should I have to think about?
The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. (2024-03-27salary.com)
Are there any tips that will help make the move to Boston, Massachusetts easier for my child?
Adults find that moving can sometimes be an emotional and stressful experience. Children, who don’t have the maturity, independence, and understanding of a parent may be even more sensitive to a move. If they are old enough to understand, include the children in making plans for the move. When moving to a distant place, help your children learn about the new area. Check out the website for Boston, Massachusetts to find opportunities and activities in the new location like parks, beaches, museums, or playgrounds that kids will enjoy and look forward to visiting. (2024-03-27salary.com)
What are rents like in Boston,MA?
In Boston,MA, the median rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $1687, and for a 2 bedroom apartment is $2092. In general, in the past year, rental costs in Boston have increased by approximately 1.9%. Since rental expense makes up a significant part of the cost of living, you should consider this expense and how it might change when you calculate your cost of living in a new city. (2024-03-27salary.com)
I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Boston, Massachusetts that is not very expensive?
Because Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston University, Boston College is located in Boston, there is a large student population. This is great, even if you are not a student, since there are always lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. (2024-03-27salary.com)
How does Boston, Massachusetts compare to the rest of U.S. as far as all the taxes that will affect my cost of living?
Good question. Based on Individual income taxes (which you will pay on earnings), Sales taxes (pay for your purchases), property taxes (on your home or indirectly on your rent), unemployment insurance taxes (from your income), and general business taxes (impacting employers ability to offer jobs and good pay), in Boston, the overall tax climate compared to the rest of the country is in the middle. (2024-03-27salary.com)
Is there good public transportation in Boston, Massachusetts?
Boston, Massachusetts is considered to have a very good public transport system. Massachusetts is ranked NO. 3 in U.S for public transportation availability. Utilizing public transportation could reduce commuting costs in Boston, Massachusetts. (2024-03-27salary.com)
How difficult is it to drive in Boston, Massachusetts?
If you are planning to drive to work, you will be spending a lot of time and gas to get there. Boston, Massachusetts is one of the Worst cities in the United States for driving. Boston, Massachusetts is ranked number 95 out of 100 major cities. Plan on spending more on gas and auto expenses if you move to Boston, Massachusetts, resulting in a higher cost of living. (2024-03-27salary.com)
What is the average commute time in Boston, Massachusetts?
In Boston, MA, the average commute time is about 43.36 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. (2024-03-27salary.com)
How much is a monthly pass for public transit in Boston, Massachusetts?
The cost of a monthly transit pass in Boston, MA is around $84.50. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). (2024-03-27salary.com)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
(2024-03-27salary.com)
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(2024-03-27salary.com)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
(2024-03-27salary.com)