salaryBoston is the largest city in Massachusetts that we track, with 666,442 residents. Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.3 minutes each way. Most households rent (64%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $124,480 a year. That is $60 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 109 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Boston with other big cities
Compare Boston to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Boston?
Share of households by yearly income. 40.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Boston
| Size | Boston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,152 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,220 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,480 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,517 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,787 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Boston overall?
Everyday prices in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area are 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Boston
Life in Boston
What jobs pay in Boston
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $183,350 | 20.4% |
| Software Developer | $166,090 | 22.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,480 | 25.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | 26.2% |
| Pharmacist | $139,660 | 26.7% |
| Operations Manager | $133,800 | 27.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $129,180 | 28.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,670 | 34.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $106,180 | 35.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,390 | 36.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,990 | 36.6% |
| Accountant | $100,150 | 37.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,060 | 38.1% |
| Plumber | $96,760 | 38.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $82,190 | 45.4% |
| Electrician | $79,910 | 46.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,530 | 47.6% |
| Police Officer | $78,180 | 47.8% |
| Carpenter | $75,210 | 49.7% |
| Firefighter | $73,990 | 50.5% |
| Truck Driver | $64,010 | 58.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $50,740 | 73.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,920 | 74.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,590 | 78.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,830 | 81.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,600 | 81.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,270 | 95.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,850 | 101.3% |
| Cashier | $36,040 | 103.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Boston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,965 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $731,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $73,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Boston, MA?
Renting in Boston costs a median of about $3,112 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Boston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $124,480 a year, or $60 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Boston cheap or expensive?
Boston is rated Expensive: rent takes 35.6% of the typical household income of $104,986. It ranks 109th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Boston?
The median homeowner in Boston pays $4,456 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is Boston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Boston?
The median home value in Boston is $731,700, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
666,442 people live in Boston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.