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The average cost of living in Boston is $4251.71 per month.
Boston is well known for its role in the American Revolution. However, now Boston is known as “the Hub of the Universe.” The city has the fastest-growing job market in the country in finance, technology, medicine, and government economic sectors.
Like many major cities, Boston’s cost of living is high, ranked as the 26% most expensive city in the U.S. and the 31st most expensive city globally. You will find everything at a higher price tag here than in the other areas of the United States. According to Numbeo.com, the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $2,661 per month.
In this article, we will help you with everything you need to know about the cost of living if you are looking to move to Boston. Let us take a look!
(*Numbeo & Apartment List)
Living in the Hub is not cheap. Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. According to payscale.com, Boston’s cost of living is 48% higher than the U.S. average. For renters, Boston prices are the third highest in the country, after San Francisco and New York City.
Below is the list of the housing costs rented in Boston:
AREA | STUDIO | 1 BEDROOM | 2 BEDROOM | 3 BEDROOM | 4 BEDROOM |
Beacon Hill | $ 2,000 | $ 2,650 | $ 3,400 | $ 3,988 | $ 6,700 |
South End | $ 2,619 | $ 3172 | $ 3,712 | $ 5,437 | $ 8,000 |
East Boston | $ 2,068 | $ 2,512 | $ 2,970 | $ 3,300 | $ 4,000 |
Dorchester | $ 2,058 | $ 2,500 | $ 2,962 | $ 3,300 | $ 4,000 |
Medford | $ 1,625 | $ 2,111 | $ 2,500 | $ 2,998 | $ 3,977 |
Below is the list of the housing costs to buy an apartment in Boston:
APARTMENT | PRICE PER SQUARE METER |
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Center | $ 1063.84 |
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Center | $ 610.88 |
AREA | MEDIAN COST |
Beacon Hill | $ 875,000 |
South End | $ 420,000 |
East Boston | $ 660,000 |
Dorchester | $ 260,000 |
Medford | $ 315,000 |
*The home prices may vary depending on the location you choose to live in.
(*Numbeo, Bungalow, Zumper 1, Zumper 2, Zumper 3, Zumper 4, Zumper 5 & Charles Gate)
What is the average rent cost for a 1-bedroom apartment in Boston?
The median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $2,661 per month.
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Whether you own a house or pay the rent, you must cover the utility cost. However, Boston’s utility cost is higher than in the rest of the United States due to the hot summer and humidity.
According to Numbeo.com data, the average basic utility package that includes heating, electricity, water, and garbage in Boston is as follows:
UTILITIES | COST PER MONTH |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | $ 186.11 |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $ 63.24 |
(*Numbeo & Bungalow)
What is the average cost of utilities in Boston?
The average cost of utilities ( internet, electricity & water) in Houston is $249.35 per month.
Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the country to eat in. The grocery cost in Boston is 24% higher than in the rest of the United States. The prices of everyday food products such as eggs, milk, and bread are a little higher than what you find in the rest of the United States.
According to Numbeo.com data, the average grocery cost in Boston is as follows:
GROCERY | COST |
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | $ 3.90 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | $ 3.42 |
Rice (white), (1 lb) | $ 1.92 |
Eggs (regular) (12) | $ 3.40 |
Local Cheese (1 lb) | $ 7.58 |
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $ 4.88 |
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $ 6.37 |
Apples (1 lb) | $ 2.03 |
Banana (1 lb) | $ 0.65$ |
Oranges (1 lb) | $ 2.38 |
Tomato (1 lb) | $ 2.69 |
Potato (1 lb) | $ 1.09 |
Onion (1 lb) | $ 1.39 |
Lettuce (1 head) | $ 2.16 |
Water (1.5-liter bottle) | $ 2.17 |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $ 15.99 |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $ 2.84 |
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | $ 2.91 |
Average Grocery Cost Per Month Per Person | $355.00 |
*However, the food costs may vary depending on your area.
(*Numbeo & The Flat)
What is the average cost of groceries for 1 person in Boston?
The average cost of utilities ( internet, electricity & water) in Boston is $355.00 per month.
Boston’s public transportation system is the best in the country, especially regarding accessibility and convenience. Public transport in Boston is safe and efficient. Not only that, Boston’s all-inclusive pass is more affordable than San Francisco’s and Washington DC’s.
According to Numbeo.com data, public transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
TRANSPORTATION | COSTS |
MetroCards costs (Single Ride) | $ 2.40 |
MetroCards Cost (Per Month) | $ 90.00 |
Metro Card Ticket with a Transit Card (Single Ride) | $ 1.70 |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $ 3.00 |
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) | $ 3.00 |
Gasoline (1 Gallon) | $ 4.65 |
(*Numbeo & Bungalow)
What is the Boston Metro monthly pass price?
The MetroCard monthly pass price is $90.00 in 2022.
Compare multiple moving quotes calculated across the same metrics
Boston is not only famous for its role in the American revolution but also famous for biking, jogging and walking trails, beautiful parks, and vast rivers. According to Numbeo.com data, the entertainment costs in Boston are as follows.
ENTERTAINMENT | COSTS |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $ 20.00 |
Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $ 24.00 |
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $ 15.00 |
(*Numbeo & Up Nest)
What is the average cost of entertainment in Boston?
The average cost of entertainment in Boston is $59 per month.
Healthcare is essential, and we always include healthcare costs in our budget when moving to any place. The healthcare cost in Boston is 36% higher than the U.S. average; however, the prices vary among the wide selection of health plans.
The healthcare costs in Boston are as follows.
HEALTHCARE | COST |
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person per month | $ 715 |
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for a family per month (two adults and two children) | $ 1,956 |
Non-Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person | $ 456 |
Non-Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Couple with at least one child | $ 1,152 |
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $ 65.59 |
Overall, Boston workers are contributing more than the national average to pay for insurance because of higher premium costs and because employers expect workers to pay a more significant portion of the cost.
The average cost of a gym membership in Boston is $65.59 per month.
The minimum combined 2022 sales tax rate for Boston, Massachusetts, is 6.25%. This is the entire state, County, and city sales tax rates. The County sales tax rate is 0%, and the Boston sales tax rate is 0%.
(*Avalara)
The cost of living in Boston is high; however, the city offers a robust job market, a great food scene, and top-notch universities. The city has an efficient transport system, and the neighborhoods are safe and quiet. If rightly budgeted, you can move to Boston in no time. The average cost of living in Boston is mentioned in the below table:
Housing
Average rent price for a 1 bedroom apartment (Manhattan) + Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person + Average utilities cost
$ 2650 + $ 715 + $ 186.11
Transportation
Metro Pass (1 month)
$ 90.00
Food
Daily recommended minimum amount of money for food per person/ Regular grocery basket for one person
$ 67.77
Internet
Internet (60 MPs or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$ 63.24
Entertainment (for 1 time only)
Meal Inexpensive restaurant + Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat + Taxi 1-hour Waiting
$20.00 + $15.00 +$ 24.00
Health and Fitness
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$ 65.59
Average Grocery Cost
Per Month, Per Person
$355.00
Note: The cost mentioned above may vary; for instance, if you live with someone, your cost will be considerably low. Also, if you have a family, you will need to add the cost of each family member. The price may also vary depending upon the area you select to live in.
Moving is often synonymous of stress, long administrative tasks and a significant waste of time and money. MovingWaldo helps you solve all these problems in just a few clicks! After some shameless self-promotion, we invite you to discover our free moving tools available to all.
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