Boston, Ma, United States Of America, United States Of America — cost of living
Wikipedia · Boston

Boston, Ma, United States Of America

Trust 77
Country
United States Of America
69
Relocation
Boston, Ma, United States Of America

About Boston, Ma, United States Of America

Costs exclude rent
Single / month
$1,123
Family of 4 / mo
$2,905
Avg salary (after tax)
$8,389

Boston, Massachusetts, is a city full of history and charm. Known as one of the oldest cities in the United States, it played a key role in the American Revolution. You can visit famous sites like the Freedom Trail, which takes you to important places like the Boston Tea Party Ships and the Paul Revere House. Boston is also home to many top universities, including Harvard and MIT, making it a vibrant place for students and academics. The city has beautiful parks, like the Boston Common, where you can relax and enjoy nature. Plus, the seafood here is amazing, especially the clam chowder! With its mix of old and new, Boston offers something for everyone.

Data aggregated from public cost-of-living sources. See About for methodology.· Wikipedia · Boston· Updated May 22, 2026

Cost breakdown by category

Cost breakdown

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Fashion

  • Midrange Nike Running ShoesUSD $113.4
  • Summer Dress from Chain Stores (e.g., Zara, H&M)USD $53.87
  • Classic Jeans (e.g., Levi's 501)USD $68.18
  • Men's Dress ShoesUSD $146.31

Financial

  • Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed)USD $4
  • Average Monthly Salary After TaxUSD $8,389

Food - Beverages

  • CappuccinoUSD $6.48
  • Local Draft Beer (Pint)USD $9.45
  • Imported Beer (Small Bottle)USD $10.8
  • Soft Drinks (350 ml Bottle)USD $3.2
  • Bottled Water (350 ml)USD $2.75

Food - Dining

  • Casual Dining ExperienceUSD $27
  • Upscale Dinner for TwoUSD $111.38
  • Fast Food ComboUSD $13.5

Food - Grocery

  • Chicken Fillets (1 kg)USD $14.49
  • Beef Round (1 kg)USD $18.92
  • Apples (1 kg)USD $6.03
  • Bananas (1 kg)USD $1.93
  • Oranges (1 kg)USD $6.98
  • Tomatoes (1 kg)USD $7.99
  • Potatoes (1 kg)USD $3.12
  • Onions (1 kg)USD $4.13
  • Lettuce (1 Head)USD $2.88
  • Bottled Water (1.5L)USD $3.09
  • Midrange Bottle of WineUSD $21.59
  • Marlboro (20-Pack)USD $17.55
  • White Rice (1 kg)USD $5.7
  • Dozen EggsUSD $4.12
  • Local Cheese (1 kg)USD $22.51
  • Fresh White Bread (1 kg)USD $10.16
  • Milk (1 litre)USD $1.54

Housing

  • Average Rent of 3-Bedroom Apartment in City CenterUSD $6,538
  • Average Rent of 3-Bedroom Apartment Outside City CenterUSD $4,501
  • Average Cost per Square Foot for Apartments in City CenterUSD $1,436
  • Average Cost per Square Foot for Apartments Outside City CenterUSD $824.69
  • Average Rent of 1-Bedroom Apartment in City CenterUSD $3,528
  • Average Rent of 1-Bedroom Apartment Outside City CenterUSD $2,550

Leisure

  • Monthly Fee for Fitness Club Membership (1 Adult)USD $83.96
  • Monthly Fee for Private Kindergarten (1 Child)USD $2,670
  • Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend)USD $33.75
  • Cinema Ticket (International Release)USD $20.25
  • Yearly Cost for International Primary School (1 Child)USD $38,138

Transportation

  • 1 Hour Taxi WaitUSD $32.4
  • Average Price of a New Sedan CarUSD $29,469
  • One-Way Local Transport FareUSD $3.24
  • Average Rate to Start a Taxi RideUSD $4.05
  • Average Monthly Cost of Public Transport PassUSD $121.5
  • Average Taxi Fare for 1 kmUSD $4.05
  • Average Price of a New Compact Hatchback CarUSD $33,750

Utilities (Monthly)

  • Internet Service (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited)USD $84.24
  • Average Monthly Cost for Essential Utilities in a 915 sq. ft. ApartmentUSD $251.25

Costs reflect a typical lifestyle in each place, excluding rent unless stated. Numbers are a starting point — always cross-check before big decisions.

  • Single / Family of 4 toggle. Family ≈ 2.7× single when no verified figure exists.
  • Estimated values use a ~ prefix and an "Estimated" label.
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How we calculate these numbers

When local data is missing (e.g. salary for a smaller city), we estimate from peer cities in the same country using a median ratio.

Full methodology, assumptions, and formulas live on our About page.