How expensive is Boston compared to the rest of United States?

Boston ranks #9 out of 577 cities globally. It is 41.8% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities. The rent index is 73.0 and local purchasing power is 136.4.

What is the average rent in Boston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Boston city centre costs approximately USD 3,347 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 2,654 (saving 21%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 5,918.

Is Boston affordable to live in?

Boston is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are very expensive, and local purchasing power is average.

🇺🇸 MA, United States · 2026

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Boston

41.8% boven het United States-gemiddelde

Gerangschikt op #9 van 577 steden · Duurder dan 98.4% van de steden wereldwijd

+41.8%

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+76.8%

Huur

+20.0%

Boodschappen

-5.4%

Koopkracht

Vergeleken met het United States-gemiddelde · United States-ranking bekijken →

Huurprijzen in Boston

Appartement	Stadscentrum	Buiten het Centrum	Je Bespaart
1-Kamer	USD 3,347/mo	USD 2,654/mo	21%
3-Kamer	USD 5,918/mo	USD 3,987/mo	33%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in Boston

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	$4.89	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	$3.00	2 sources
Bread (500g)	$3.45	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	$14.50	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	$12.88	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	$13.27	2 sources
Eggs (12)	$5.57	2 sources
Milk (1L)	$1.18	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	$4.36	2 sources
Tomatoes (1kg)	$7.80	2 sources
Water (1.5L)	$2.79	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	$17.10	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

$4.89

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

$3.00

Bread (500g)

$3.45

Local cheese (1kg)

$14.50

Chicken (1kg)

$12.88

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

$13.27

Eggs (12)

$5.57

Milk (1L)

$1.18

Potatoes (1kg)

$4.36

Tomatoes (1kg)

$7.80

Water (1.5L)

$2.79

Wine (mid-range)

$17.10

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	$8.00	2 sources
Cappuccino	$5.56	2 sources
McMeal	$12.00	2 sources
Cheap meal	$24.00	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	$130.50	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

$8.00

Cappuccino

$5.56

McMeal

$12.00

Cheap meal

$24.00

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

$130.50

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	$153.76	2 sources
Jeans (Levi's 501)	$68.71	2 sources
Sport shoes (Nike)	$113.06	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	$42.31	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

$153.76

Jeans (Levi's 501)

$68.71

Sport shoes (Nike)

$113.06

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

$42.31

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	$16.25	2 sources
Gym membership	$105.34	2 sources

Cinema ticket

$16.25

Gym membership

$105.34

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	$0.87	2 sources
Taxi start	$2.60	1 source
Monthly pass	$90.00	2 sources

Gasoline (1L)

$0.87

Taxi start

$2.60

Monthly pass

$90.00

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	$209.70	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

$209.70

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Boston has a cost of living index of 81.8 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 4 of 4 data sources.

81.8

Index

Sources

11.9

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

83.2

Expatistan

75.0

LivingCost

86.9

ShouldIMove price index

82.0

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

Eurostat Validation (EU27 = 100) Gov. Data

Eurostat

124.2

Based on 108 country PLI x 1.15 city factor

View all 577 cities | Data last updated: 2026-03-18

Kostenindexen

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+41.8% Very expensive

Huur

+76.8% Very expensive

Boodschappen

+20.0% Expensive

Restaurants

+24.1% Very expensive

Koopkracht

-5.4% Average

Wonen in Boston: Wat te Verwachten

Boston is very expensive naar wereldwijde maatstaven (positie #9 van 577 steden). 41.8% duurder dan het United States-gemiddelde, gebaseerd op 82 steden.

Boodschappen zijn expensive, terwijl uit eten very expensive is. Groceries biedt de beste waarde, terwijl Rent het duurst is.

De lokale koopkracht is sterk: inwoners kunnen meer goederen en diensten betalen dan in de meeste steden.

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Boston

Huurprijzen in Boston

Prices of Goods & Services in Boston

Groceries

Restaurants

Clothing & Shoes

Leisure

Transportation

Utilities

Multi-Source Comparison

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Kostenindexen

Wonen in Boston: Wat te Verwachten

Hoe Verhoudt Boston Zich?

Een Verhuizing naar Boston aan het Plannen?