New York, NY vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Boston is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in New York are 1.5% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (127.0 in New York vs 148.8 in Boston). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,490 a month in New York and $3,718 in Boston.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | New York, NY | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 113.5 | 111.8 |
| BEA index for the area | 112.6 | 108.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 138.6 | 155.3 |
| Goods | 110.3 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 127.0 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 105.8 | 103.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,490 | $3,718 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,199 | $5,536 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,335 | $6,405 |
| Median gross rent | $1,821 | $2,147 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,742 | $2,012 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,827 | $2,248 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,123 | $2,281 |
| Median home value | $777,600 | $731,700 |
| Median household income | $80,483 | $97,344 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 31.3% | 30.6% |
| Home value ÷ income | 9.7× | 7.5× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 28.65 | 30.48 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.22 | $4.10 |
| Population | 8,483,844 | 666,442 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
New York, NY
New York price index by category, US average = 100: All items 113.5, Housing (rents) 138.6, Goods 110.3, Utilities 127.0, Other services 105.8
Boston, MA
Boston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 111.8, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 99.7, Utilities 148.8, Other services 103.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | New York | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,966 | $2,107 | +$141 |
| Utilities | $614 | $703 | +$89 |
| Food at home | $819 | $740 | −$79 |
| Transportation | $1,830 | $1,799 | −$31 |
| Health care | $642 | $629 | −$13 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $464 | $427 | −$37 |
| Total | $6,335 | $6,405 | +$70 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Boston more expensive than New York?
No. Overall prices in Boston, MA (index 111.8) are 1.4% lower than in New York, NY (index 113.5), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 148.8 vs 127.0.
What salary do I need in Boston to match $60,000 in New York?
About $59,100. Going the other way, $60,000 in Boston buys about as much as $60,900 in New York. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in New York or Boston?
Median gross rent is $1,821 in New York and $2,147 in Boston (+17.9% in Boston; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $777,600 and $731,700.
Notes
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources