Boston vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)

Phoenix is 38% more affordable than Boston.

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

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100 ✓
State income tax2.5% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo ✓
Median home price$395K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexPhoenix indexDifference
Housing214130 ✓-84%
Groceries15295 ✓-57%
Transportation15196 ✓-55%
Healthcare15697 ✓-59%
Utilities14496 ✓-48%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Boston → Phoenix

What salary in Phoenix gives you the same purchasing power as your Boston salary?

Salary in BostonEquivalent in PhoenixDifference
$60,000$36,000$-24,000
$80,000$48,000$-32,000
$100,000$59,000$-41,000
$130,000$77,000$-53,000
$150,000$89,000$-61,000
$200,000$119,000$-81,000

Boston vs Phoenix: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 100 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 38%.

State income tax impact

Boston workers pay 5% Massachusetts state income tax, while Phoenix workers pay 2.5%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Boston is $720,000, compared to $395,000 in Phoenix. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $1,450/month in Phoenix.

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