Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 51% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 405 prices entered by 73 different people.
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| Food | + 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 53% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (£16) | £11 | + 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (£8) | £6 | + 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (£5.55) | £3.11 | + 79% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.03 (£0.84) | £1.00 | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.28 (£4.28) | £3.44 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.58 (£4.53) | £2.05 | + 121% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (£7) | £3.39 | + 97% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.81 (£3.90) | £2.03 | + 92% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.94 (£1.58) | £0.87 | + 81% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.06 (£1.67) | £1.74 | - 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (£13) | £8 | + 56% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.20 (£1.79) | £2.04 | - 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.65 (£2.15) | £0.91 | + 137% | |
| Housing | + 111% | |||
| Housing in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 111% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,732 (£3,838) | £1,491 | + 157% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,229 (£2,619) | £1,037 | + 153% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $272 (£221) | £272 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,722 (£2,207) | £852 | + 159% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,989 (£1,613) | £865 | + 86% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $179 (£145) | £84 | + 73% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (£48) | £27 | + 76% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $299 (£243) | £347 | - 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $192 (£156) | £102 | + 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (£9) | £7 | + 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $24 (£19) | £13 | + 50% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 (£42) | £63 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (£35) | £28 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (£70) | £67 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (£97) | £62 | + 56% | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| Transportation in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is about the same as in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,145 (£20,393) | £24,000 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.20 (£0.97) | £1.37 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $90 (£73) | £65 | + 12% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $18 (£15) | £13 | + 15% | |
| Personal Care | + 45% | |||
| Personal Care in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 45% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (£7) | £7 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $12 (£9) | £8 | + 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $180 (£146) | £100 | + 46% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (£6) | £3.66 | + 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.83 (£3.92) | £1.98 | + 98% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.42 (£4.39) | £3.40 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.91 (£3.17) | £1.99 | + 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.87 (£1.52) | £1.92 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $33 (£27) | £13 | + 100% | |
| Entertainment | + 52% | |||
| Entertainment in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 52% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $66 (£53) | £23 | + 135% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (£24) | £19 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $350 (£284) | £93 | + 206% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $98 (£79) | £49 | + 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 (£13) | £8 | + 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.98 (£4.04) | £3.15 | + 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (£5.76) | £4.04 | + 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $532 (£432) | £444 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.28 (£0.23) | £0.19 | + 23% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $76 (£62) | £25 | + 144% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (£9) | £11 | - 20% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 51% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 405 prices entered by 73 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.811
GBP
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least £6,643 ($8,191) in Boston, Massachusetts to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £4,400 in Birmingham.
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