Cost of living in Boston
compared to
Cost of living in Boston vs. United States overall average
Boston is 32.0% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 17.1% more in Boston
- Groceries
-
pay 30.5% more in Boston
- Transportation
-
pay 9.2% more in Boston
- Housing
-
pay 51.2% more in Boston
- Childcare
-
pay 60.0% more in Boston
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 30.9% more in Boston
- Clothing
-
pay 25.0% more in Boston
The cost of childcare, housing, entertainment and sports, groceries, clothing, and restaurants in Boston are more expensive than in United States.
Boston Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $25.00 |
$15.00
-
$55.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.00 |
$10.00
-
$15.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.87 |
$2.00
-
$4.25
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.40 |
$1.89
-
$4.00
|
Boston - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.16 |
$2.76
-
$7.72
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $8.92 |
$5.10
-
$16.53
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $4.80 |
$3.00
-
$7.00
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.93 |
$2.00
-
$7.50
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.15 |
$3.99
-
$12.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.70 |
$1.36
-
$5.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $1.00 |
$0.50
-
$3.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.83 |
$1.25
-
$8.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $3.61 |
$1.89
-
$6.00
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $2.09 |
$0.89
-
$3.63
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.81 |
$0.95
-
$3.00
|
Boston - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.46 |
$3.00
-
$4.00
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $90.00 |
$90.00
-
$91.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $34,000.00 |
$30,000.00
-
$36,656.25
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $16.52 |
$16.52
-
$32.83
|
Boston - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$77.28 |
$60.00
-
$110.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $3,451.79 |
$2,900.00
-
$4,000.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $2,596.36 |
$2,000.00
-
$3,005.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$153.30 |
$96.62
-
$267.65
|
Boston - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $2,793.33 |
$2,100.00
-
$3,500.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $27,500.00 |
$10,000.00
-
$40,000.00
|
Boston - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $8.00 |
$6.00
-
$12.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.36 |
$3.50
-
$7.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$13.00 |
$11.00
-
$15.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $88.48 |
$35.00
-
$190.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $15.00 |
$13.00
-
$20.00
|
Boston - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$69.87 |
$40.00
-
$120.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$43.75 |
$25.00
-
$60.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$107.71 |
$55.00
-
$150.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $152.08 |
$80.00
-
$250.00
|
Boston - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Massachusetts
to see the average cost of cities throughout Massachusetts, like
Northampton,
Hyannis,
North Attleborough,
Saugus,
Andover,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Boston.
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