Cost of Living in Boston (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Boston? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, central neighbourhoodsUSD 2,800–3,600 / month

One-bed apartment, outer neighbourhoods or SomervilleUSD 2,200–2,800 / month

MBTA monthly LinkPassUSD 90 / month

Groceries, one personUSD 400–550 / month

Move-in costFirst, last, security and a broker fee — typically 4× the monthly rent up front

Good to know

Population

≈675,000 in the city; ≈4.9 million across Greater Boston

Languages

English; Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Chinese are all significant in the city's schools

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Time zone

EST (GMT-5); EDT (GMT-4) from mid-March to early November

Power plug

Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz

Climate

Humid continental — hot humid summers, genuinely cold snowy winters, and nor'easters that shut the city down

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

6.25%, with no tax on most clothing under $175 or on groceries

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Boston checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.