Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in Boston, MA

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Boston, MA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

How expensive is Boston, MA?

With a price level of 108.3 (U.S. average = 100), Boston, MA is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 48% above average; everyday goods cost about the same as the national average; utilities run 49% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 4% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.

Prices in Boston, MA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Boston, MA

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Salary needed to live in Boston, MA

To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:

Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.

A monthly budget on the median wage

A single worker earning Boston, MA's median wage of $66,620 takes home about $4,382 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $2,276, which is 52% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,106 a month for everything else.

Take-home pay in Boston, MA

Highest-paying jobs in Boston, MA

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Boston, MA vs. similar-size cities

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in Boston, MA

Management Occupations

• Natural Sciences Manager — $239,200+
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $214,960
• Marketing Manager — $213,910
• Financial Manager — $209,780
• Sales Manager — $206,610
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $205,130
• Human Resources Manager — $184,990
• Managers, All Other — $184,250

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Management Analyst — $135,640
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $117,520
• Project Management Specialist — $114,990
• Compliance Officer — $103,940
• Loan Officer — $103,400
• Cost Estimator — $102,640
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $102,390
• Logistician — $101,540

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Software Developer — $166,090
• Computer Network Architect — $160,650
• Information Security Analyst — $136,550
• Data Scientist — $132,040
• Computer Systems Analyst — $129,180
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $122,210
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $121,230
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $116,770

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Computer Hardware Engineer — $167,600
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $142,920
• Engineers, All Other — $133,940
• Electrical Engineer — $128,610
• Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $128,550
• Mechanical Engineer — $119,300
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $119,120
• Industrial Engineer — $118,970

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Biochemist and Biophysicist — $131,550
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $129,500
• Chemist — $127,290
• Biological Scientists, All Other — $110,410
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $105,960
• School Psychologist — $98,670
• Biological Technician — $61,610

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $80,760
• Healthcare Social Worker — $78,410
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $77,420
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $63,830
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $62,130
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $47,530
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $47,440

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $183,350
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $79,850

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $164,450
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $103,110
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $98,850
• Instructional Coordinator — $98,370
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $98,060
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $97,410
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $96,170
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $94,170

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Editor — $86,410
• Producer and Director — $83,850
• Public Relations Specialist — $81,440
• Graphic Designer — $78,270
• Coach and Scout — $56,220

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Physicians, All Other — $229,870
• Nurse Practitioner — $147,480
• Physician Assistant — $142,410
• Pharmacist — $139,660
• Registered Nurse — $106,180
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $104,590
• Physical Therapist — $103,550

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Dental Assistant — $58,160
• Medical Assistant — $50,740
• Nursing Assistant — $47,590
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $40,910

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $108,190
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $96,740
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $89,060
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $78,180
• Firefighter — $73,990
• Security Guard — $44,990

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $72,470
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $48,530
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,090
• Cooks, Restaurant — $45,830
• Food Preparation Worker — $39,660
• Cooks, Short Order — $39,600
• Waiter and Waitress — $39,270
• Bartender — $37,760

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $61,390
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $49,030
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $46,550
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $39,470

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $65,190
• Residential Advisor — $48,830
• Childcare Worker — $41,590
• Animal Caretaker — $39,850
• Recreation Worker — $38,770
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,430
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,480
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $34,660

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Engineer — $136,620
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $122,870
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $122,550
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $101,200
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $83,420
• Insurance Sales Agent — $80,120
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $79,670
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $58,850

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $85,260
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $77,990
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $66,930
• Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $62,850
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $62,690
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,090
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $61,490
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $60,960

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $99,890
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $96,760
• Construction and Building Inspector — $84,620
• Electrician — $79,910
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $76,940
• Carpenter — $75,210
• Construction Laborer — $63,420
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $57,820

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $94,970
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $78,530
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $75,770
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $75,200
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $63,060
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $59,670

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $82,660
• Machinist — $72,060
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $58,210
• Production Workers, All Other — $48,790
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $48,060
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $47,860
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $44,390
• Baker — $38,570

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $70,120
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $65,730
• Bus Drivers, School — $65,170
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $64,010
• Flight Attendant — $61,510
• Light Truck Driver — $49,630
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $47,800
• Driver/Sales Worker — $47,340

Other cities in Massachusetts

• Worcester, MA
• Springfield, MA
• Barnstable Town, MA
• Amherst Town, MA
• Pittsfield, MA

Massachusetts paycheck calculator →