Seattle vs Boston
Cost of Living (2026)

Seattle is 8% less expensive than Boston. Plus, Washington has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

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At a glance

Seattle, WA

COL index150 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo ✓
Median home price$780K
VS

Boston, MA

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexBoston indexDifference
Housing198 ✓214+16%
Groceries141 ✓152+11%
Transportation140 ✓151+11%
Healthcare145 ✓156+11%
Utilities135 ✓144+9%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Boston

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in BostonDifference
$60,000$70,000+$10,000
$80,000$93,000+$13,000
$100,000$116,000+$16,000
$130,000$151,000+$21,000
$150,000$174,000+$24,000
$200,000$233,000+$33,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, Seattle comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 150 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 8%.

State income tax impact

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle workers an immediate 5% take-home pay advantage over Boston workers who pay Massachusetts's 5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Seattle is $780,000, compared to $720,000 in Boston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $2,900/month in Boston.

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