Boston vs New York City
Cost of Living (2026)

Boston is 15% less expensive than New York City.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Boston, MA

COL index162 ✓
State income tax5% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,900/mo ✓
Median home price$720K ✓
VS

New York City, NY

COL index187
State income tax6.85%
Avg 1BR rent$3,400/mo
Median home price$750K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexNew York City indexDifference
Housing214 ✓247+33%
Groceries152 ✓175+23%
Transportation151 ✓173+22%
Healthcare156 ✓180+24%
Utilities144 ✓164+20%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Boston → New York City

What salary in New York City gives you the same purchasing power as your Boston salary?

Salary in BostonEquivalent in New York CityDifference
$60,000$71,000+$11,000
$80,000$95,000+$15,000
$100,000$119,000+$19,000
$130,000$154,000+$24,000
$150,000$178,000+$28,000
$200,000$238,000+$38,000

Boston vs New York City: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and New York City, NY, Boston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 162 versus 187 for New York City — a difference of approximately 15%.

State income tax impact

Boston workers pay 5% Massachusetts state income tax, while New York City workers pay 6.85%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Boston is $720,000, compared to $750,000 in New York City. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $3,400/month in New York City.

Boston vs Houston →Boston vs San Antonio →Boston vs Dallas →Boston vs Austin →Boston vs Fort Worth →Boston vs El Paso →