✦ Cost of living
Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
US = 100
In plain terms: Boston is about 39% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $3,000/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing190+90%
- Food & groceries112+12%
- Transport114+14%
- Utilities118+18%
- Healthcare122+22%
- Goods & services120+20%
About
“Beantown”
Historic, walkable and a global university and biotech hub — winters are long and rents are steep.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 42.36, -71.06
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Safety
62/100
Healthcare
85/100
Pollution
35/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
-1 °C
Jul avg
+23 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
83/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA's cost-of-living index is 139 (US average = 100) — about 39% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $3,000 per month.
What is the average rent in Boston, MA?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $3,000 per month, and around $2,300 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Boston, MA?
Boston, MA averages around -1 °C in January and +23 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Boston with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.