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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Boston: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

8.3% above

Cost of living in Boston is 8.3% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (index 108.3; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Boston is $2,196 a month.

Cost of living in Boston by category

Overall prices

108.3U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+8.3% vs. U.S.

Goods
99.7 −0.3%
Housing (rents)
148.4 +48.4%
Utilities
148.8 +48.8%
Other services
103.6 +3.6%

BEA 2024 · Boston metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$2,196/mo

Median gross rent

+48% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$2,044 +57% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$2,493 +67% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,153 +28% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$722,800 +100% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,984 +47% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$182/mo

Average electric bill

+16% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
30.5¢/kWh +67% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$27.39/Mcf +41% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
148.8

EIA July 2026 · Massachusetts statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

31.7min

Mean travel time to work

+17% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
31.3%
Work from home
15.5%
Gasoline (Boston area)
$4.29/gal About the same as U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$590/wk

Center care, infant

+240% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$493/wk +221% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$350/wk +143% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$320/wk +123% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Suffolk County Details: Child care

Income

$97,791/yr

Median household income

+20% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
27%
Home value to income
7.4×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Boston

Median gross rent in Boston is $2,196 a month, 48% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $2,000–$2,499 range, which holds 15.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 40.5% pay $2,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $722,800.

Housing costs: Boston vs. Massachusetts vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Boston: $2,196; Massachusetts: $1,848; U.S.: $1,487 Boston $2,196 Massachusetts $1,848 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Boston: $2,984; Massachusetts: $2,755; U.S.: $2,035 Boston $2,984 Massachusetts $2,755 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Boston: $722,800; Massachusetts: $607,400; U.S.: $360,600 Boston $722,800 Massachusetts $607,400 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureBostonMassachusettsU.S.
Median monthly rent$2,196$1,848$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,984$2,755$2,035
Median home value$722,800$607,400$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Boston

What renters pay in Boston Share of renter households paying cash rent in Boston by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 13.4%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 16%. Median $2,196. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 13.4% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 6% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 3.4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 3.8% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 4.5% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 12.7% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 15.8% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 14% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 10.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 16% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $2,196 (Boston) 16%
Show the data table
RangeBostonU.S.
Less than $50013.4%6.1%
$500–$7496%6.8%
$750–$9993.4%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2493.8%13.5%
$1,250–$1,4994.5%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99912.7%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49915.8%13.2%
$2,500–$2,99914%6.5%
$3,000–$3,49910.5%3.2%
$3,500 or more16%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Boston

Measure Boston Massachusetts U.S.
Median rent (all units) $2,196$1,848$1,487
1-bedroom rent $2,044$1,479$1,301
2-bedroom rent $2,493$1,962$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,153$2,079$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,984$2,755$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Boston?

At the median, rent takes about 27% of household income in Boston. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $87,800 a year.

The median home is worth $722,800, or 7.4 times the median household income.

Household income in Boston

The median household in Boston earns $97,791 a year, 20% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 20.6% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 18.3% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Boston vs. Massachusetts vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Boston: $97,791; Massachusetts: $104,828; U.S.: $81,604 Boston $97,791 Massachusetts $104,828 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureBostonMassachusettsU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$97,791$104,828$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Boston

Household income distribution in Boston Share of households in Boston by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 8.1%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 20.6%. Median $97,791. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $10,000: 8.1% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 4.3% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.1% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 1.9% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 3.8% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 6.7% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 10.7% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 10.2% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 6.8% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 11.7% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 20.6% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $97,791 (Boston) 20.6%
Show the data table
RangeBostonU.S.
Less than $10,0008.1%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9994.3%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.6%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.3%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.1%3%
$30,000–$34,9993.3%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9991.9%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9991.8%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9991.8%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9993.8%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9996.7%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99910.7%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99910.2%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9996.8%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99911.7%9.7%
$200,000 or more20.6%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Boston Massachusetts U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $97,791$104,828$81,604
Median home value $722,800$607,400$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area scored 108.3 for all items. The highest category is utilities at 148.8; the lowest is goods at 99.7.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Boston metro area: 108.3; Massachusetts: 105.8; U.S.: 100.0 Boston metro area 108.3 Massachusetts 105.8 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Boston metro area: 99.7; Massachusetts: 98.8; U.S.: 99.6 Boston metro area 99.7 Massachusetts 98.8 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Boston metro area: 148.4; Massachusetts: 128.1; U.S.: 100.6 Boston metro area 148.4 Massachusetts 128.1 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Boston metro area: 148.8; Massachusetts: 152.1; U.S.: 98.4 Boston metro area 148.8 Massachusetts 152.1 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Boston metro area: 103.6; Massachusetts: 102.9; U.S.: 100.1 Boston metro area 103.6 Massachusetts 102.9 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureBoston metro areaMassachusettsU.S.
All items108.3105.8100.0
Goods99.798.899.6
Housing (rents)148.4128.1100.6
Utilities148.8152.198.4
Other services103.6102.9100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Massachusetts paid an average of 30.5¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $182 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $27.39 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Massachusetts averages rather than figures for Boston alone.

Energy prices: Massachusetts vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Massachusetts: 30.5¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Massachusetts 30.5¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Massachusetts: $182; U.S.: $157 Massachusetts $182 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Massachusetts: $27.39; U.S.: $19.40 Massachusetts $27.39 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureMassachusettsU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)30.5¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$182$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$27.39$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Boston who commute spend an average of 31.7 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (31.3% of workers); 15.5% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $4.29 a gallon in the Boston area in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Boston: Drove alone 31.3%, Carpooled 6.3%, Public transit 25.3%, Walked 14.6%, Bicycle 2.8%, Worked from home 15.5%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 4.1%. Massachusetts: Drove alone 62%, Carpooled 8%, Public transit 7.8%, Walked 4.3%, Bicycle 0.9%, Worked from home 14.8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2.2%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Boston: Drove alone. Boston Boston · Drove alone: 31.3% 31.3% Boston · Carpooled: 6.3% Boston · Public transit: 25.3% 25.3% Boston · Walked: 14.6% 14.6% Boston · Bicycle: 2.8% Boston · Worked from home: 15.5% 15.5% Boston · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 4.1% Massachusetts Massachusetts · Drove alone: 62% 62% Massachusetts · Carpooled: 8% Massachusetts · Public transit: 7.8% Massachusetts · Walked: 4.3% Massachusetts · Bicycle: 0.9% Massachusetts · Worked from home: 14.8% 14.8% Massachusetts · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2.2% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationBostonMassachusettsU.S.
Drove alone31.3%62%69.2%
Carpooled6.3%8%9.2%
Public transit25.3%7.8%3.7%
Walked14.6%4.3%2.4%
Bicycle2.8%0.9%0.5%
Worked from home15.5%14.8%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)4.1%2.2%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Boston

Travel time to work in Boston Share of workers who do not work from home in Boston by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.3%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.1%. Mean 31.7 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 3.6% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 8.6% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 11.3% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 12.5% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 8.1% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 19.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 4.7% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 7.3% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 11.9% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 9.2% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 31.7 min (Boston) 19.5%
Show the data table
RangeBostonU.S.
Less than 5 min1.3%2.8%
5–9 min3.6%9.4%
10–14 min8.6%13.1%
15–19 min11.3%15%
20–24 min12.5%14.1%
25–29 min8.1%7%
30–34 min19.5%13.7%
35–39 min4.7%3.4%
40–44 min7.3%4.1%
45–59 min11.9%8.3%
60–89 min9.2%6.3%
90 min or more2.1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Boston

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $590 a week in Suffolk County, or $30,680 over 52 weeks. That is 240% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Suffolk County Massachusetts (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $590$352$174
Center-based care, toddler $493$320$153
Center-based care, preschool $350$270$144
Center-based care, school-age $224$210$120
Home-based family care, infant $320$263$143
Home-based family care, toddler $280$249$132
Home-based family care, preschool $250$243$131
Home-based family care, school-age $250$238$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Boston prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Boston?

Median rent is $2,044 for a one-bedroom and $2,493 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Boston?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 22.8% pay less than $1,000 a month, 21% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 56.3% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Boston?

To keep the median rent of $2,196 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $87,800 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Boston more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area at 108.3 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 8.3% above average. Housing rents score 148.4.

How long is the average commute in Boston?

31.7 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Boston?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $590 a week in Suffolk County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.