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Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts

Suffolk County, MA

Part of the Boston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,174/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 782,172 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,918 46%
Federal tax $716 17%
Healthcare $480 11%
Groceries $385 9%
Energy $246 6%
State tax $224 5%
Transport $150 4%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Boston

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,868
per month
1 bedroom
$1,918
per month
2 bedroom
$2,129
per month
3 bedroom
$2,221
per month
4 bedroom
$2,523
per month

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Income and earnings in Boston

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$92,859
per year
Individual earnings
$53,851
per year
Per capita
$56,920
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Boston

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$680,700
Annual property tax
$4,533

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Boston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$172
per month · 28.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$74
per month
Annual total
$2,952
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Boston

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Boston

State and local tax rates for Massachusetts.

State income tax
5.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.3%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Boston

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.9 min
Drive alone
36.6%
Public transit
23.6%
Work from home
17.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Boston

What it costs to live in Boston each month.

Single person
$4,174
per month
  • Rent $1,918
  • Energy $246
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $385
  • Transport $150
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $716
  • State tax $224
Couple
$5,768
per month
  • Rent $2,129
  • Energy $295
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $638
  • Transport $200
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,190
  • State tax $387
Family
$8,040
per month
  • Rent $2,221
  • Energy $369
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $968
  • Transport $280
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,190
  • State tax $387

Frequently asked questions about Boston

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Boston?

In Boston, Massachusetts, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,918 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,129 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,221 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Boston?

In Boston, Massachusetts, the average household income is $92,859 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $53,851 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Boston?

The estimated cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts is approximately $4,174 per month for a single person, $5,768 for a couple, $8,040 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Boston?

The combined sales tax rate in Boston, Massachusetts is 6.25%, which includes the Massachusetts state rate of 6.25% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Boston an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Boston, Massachusetts would need approximately $4,174 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $92,859 per year ($7,738 per month). Boston has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Boston?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Boston, Massachusetts is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Boston?

The average home value in Boston, Massachusetts is $680,700, with average annual property taxes of $4,533, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Boston compare to other areas?

You can compare Boston, Massachusetts with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Boston is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area.

Other counties in Massachusetts

Browse the full list of counties in Massachusetts, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Massachusetts

Compare Boston with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources