Are you considering a move to Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Boston, Massachusetts is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts and help you understand whether $5463 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $6070.47.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
24.0 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
100.0 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
12.0 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
8.0 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
9.9 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
5.44 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
2.59 $ |
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Water (12 oz small bottle) |
2.43 $ |
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Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.25 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
4.35 $ |
|
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Rice (white), (1 lb) |
5.72 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
4.82 $ |
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Local Cheese (1 lb) |
19.63 $ |
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Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
14.75 $ |
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Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
19.05 $ |
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Apples (1 lb) |
5.42 $ |
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|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.97 $ |
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Oranges (1 lb) |
6.01 $ |
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Tomato (1 lb) |
5.91 $ |
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|
Potato (1 lb) |
3.5 $ |
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|
Onion (1 lb) |
3.66 $ |
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Lettuce (1 head) |
2.68 $ |
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Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
2.5 $ |
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|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
18.5 $ |
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|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.9 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.64 $ |
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|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
13.0 $ |
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Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
2.4 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
90.0 $ |
|
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Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
3.1 $ |
|
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Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
2.49 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
24.0 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
0.98 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
24934.5 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
22066.4 $ |
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|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
216.61 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
70.2 $ |
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|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
108.22 $ |
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Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
27.5 $ |
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|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
16.0 $ |
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|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
2404.55 $ |
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|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
28000.0 $ |
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Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
61.18 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
46.5 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
93.31 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
150.31 $ |
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|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
3101.74 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
2250.0 $ |
|
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Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
5391.89 $ |
|
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Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
3589.47 $ |
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Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
13054.23 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
7580.48 $ |
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Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
6070.47 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
6.71 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Boston, Massachusetts come to a total of approximately $5463. This includes an average monthly rent of around $3101 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $251 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $1239 per month.
Living in Boston, Massachusetts appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $6070.47. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Boston, Massachusetts, you would likely need an income exceeding $6070.47.
In Boston, Massachusetts, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $6070.47, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Boston, Massachusetts is approximately $3101. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $2250.0 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Boston, Massachusetts can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $958 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.
Boston has a low risk for being such a large city, but it does have its fair share of crime. Looking over the past decade, crime trends have been going in a safer direction. Yes, there is gun violence, drug & gang problems, and thefts, but when it comes to major metropolitan areas, Boston provides an enjoyable, walkable experience.
In Boston, you can take public transportation by rail, subway, bus, or ferry. You can rent a car or rely on taxis and rideshares too. There are the typical risks of transportation in a major city, like pickpocketing, but the MBTA does have its own police department and a safety page you can review before deciding how you want to get around during your visit. If you are visiting in the winter and don't like to drive in the snow, please don't rent a car.
There is about a one in 10,000 chance of being a pickpocket or purse snatching victim here, based on the incidents reported in 2020 (68 total). While it's not a high risk, you should use the utmost caution, as you would in any city, especially when you're distracted by really cool tourist attractions. I walked around Boston for an entire weekend a few years back as a single woman, and I never once felt threatened or intimidated.
Boston gets some "wicked" winter weather in the form of blizzards with an average of four feet of snow each year. The people who live here are very used to these storms, but they can catch tourists off guard. It's rare a storm will shut the city down, but it will make getting around more challenging for visitors. Hurricanes are another big threat, with the highest risk from August through October. If you remember the book/movie The Perfect Storm, it was a swordboat crew from Gloucester, just north of Boston.
There's a medium risk, with the robbery rate being 60% higher than the national average and 48% of those robberies happening in public places. The plus side for tourists is that just 13% of the violent crimes in 2020 happened against strangers.
The size, historical monuments, port, and government of Boston make it a prime potential target for terrorists. There's a medium risk, but there's also an enhanced presence of Homeland Security working visibly and behind the scenes to keep everyone safe.
Rental and home improvement scams are the top warnings issued here, which only impact a tourist who is looking to rent a home instead of staying in a hotel. Never wire money to secure a rental home, and make sure the landlord has a rental permit. The MTBA warns against buying tickets from Craigslist or someone on the street. Those are likely scams.
The sexual assault rate is slightly lower than the national average, but those crimes do have a low clearance rate. 10% of the sexual assaults were against strangers. If you are out at night, you should walk with a buddy or a group and avoid walking alone. However, that's advice for any city. I don't want to give a false sense of safety, but I also don't want to scare women away. Don't carry a large purse and leave the valuables at the hotel.
The 2021 Water Quality Report shows no violations, and all standards were met or exceeded. The biggest concern about Boston's water is lead, which comes from old pipes throughout the city. An aggressive plan is underway to replace lead pipes. If you are staying in an older hotel, ask the front desk what risk of lead there is in your water.
You'll need a U.S. Travel or Work Visa, which can take months to get issued. Having a visa doesn't guarantee you access to the United States, so be on your best behavior as you go through Customs. You will need to have that visa when you depart, but store it in a safe place during your trip.
The U.S. Dollar is the only currency you can use here. Exchange currency at the airport or a local bank, but see if the exchange rate gets you a better value in your home country. Try to limit how much cash you carry, and don't keep it in a wad in your wallet. Using a credit card offers better fraud protection.
You'll get all four seasons here, and winters can be very snowy and cold. Bring full winter gear with you, and don't forget snow boots. Spring and fall can be mild but chilly in the morning and at night, so bring jeans and sweatshirts with some short-sleeved shirts. Summers will be beautiful and not too hot, but there can be an occasional extreme heat wave.
Boston Logan International Airport is just four miles from downtown. Be sure to look at the traffic-layer map. I'm looking at this on a Sunday evening, and driving those four miles would take you 30 minutes right now.
You should consider travel insurance to protect your belongings, health, and flight. From hurricanes to winter storms, the weather here can easily shut down airports along the Eastern Seaboard, and you should be prepared for that delay or cancellation without losing a lot of money.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 37°F | 39°F | 46°F | 56°F | 66°F | 76°F | 82°F | 79°F | 72°F | 62°F | 51°F | 42°F |
| Temp | 29°F | 31°F | 38°F | 48°F | 58°F | 67°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F | 45°F | 35°F |
| Low | 24°F | 25°F | 32°F | 42°F | 51°F | 60°F | 66°F | 65°F | 58°F | 48°F | 38°F | 29°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 2°C | 3°C | 7°C | 13°C | 18°C | 24°C | 27°C | 26°C | 22°C | 16°C | 10°C | 5°C |
| Temp | -1°C | 0°C | 3°C | 8°C | 14°C | 19°C | 23°C | 22°C | 18°C | 12°C | 7°C | 1°C |
| Low | -4°C | -3°C | 0°C | 5°C | 10°C | 15°C | 18°C | 18°C | 14°C | 8°C | 3°C | -1°C |