Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Summary of cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $8,289
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $5,484
  • Boston, Massachusetts is the 4th most expensive city in USA (4 out of 20)
  • Boston, Massachusetts is the 4th most expensive city in N. America (4 out of 23)
  • Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts is more expensive than in 94% of cities in the World (9 out of 140)
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List of prices in Boston, Massachusetts
Current as of Jun 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district $23
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) $13
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast $7
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk $1.20
12 eggs, large $5.50
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes $5.27
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese $8
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples $5.26
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes $4.10
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket $2.82
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality $16
2 liters of coca-cola $2.77
Bread for 2 people for 1 day $3.90
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area $5,288
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area $3,550
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat $407
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area $3,240
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area $2,438
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio $160
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) $69
40” flat screen tv $271
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) $214
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) $12
Hourly rate for cleaning help $39
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) $64
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) $44
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) $101
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes $161
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new $28,152
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas $0.93
Monthly ticket public transport $90
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) $19
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) $4.99
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) $25
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) $191
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) $8
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) $4.83
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) $8
4 rolls of toilet paper $4.04
Tube of toothpaste $1.99
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city $33
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub $67
2 tickets to the movies $32
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) $241
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert $120
1 cocktail drink in downtown club $17
Cappuccino in expat area of the city $5.78
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) $8
Ipad wi-fi 128gb $497
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) $0.47
1 month of gym membership in business district $98
1 package of marlboro cigarettes $14
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 230 prices entered by 38 different people.
Latest price update: June 13, 2025

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International Schools in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston position in our World Ranking

the world
9th
out of 140
n. america
4th
out of 23
usa
4th
out of 20

Cheapest and most expensive products in Boston compared to other cities:

the world
2nd
the world
3rd
the world
4th
the world
4th
the world
4th
the world
5th

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International Cost of Living Index

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