Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 40% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 954 prices entered by 174 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 30% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 | $26 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 | $16 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.22 | $10 | - 49% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.95 | $1.24 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.55 | $10 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.51 | $6 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 | $8 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.28 | $5.39 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.31 | $2.11 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.85 | $5.19 | - 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 | $27 | - 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.77 | $3.33 | - 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.03 | $4.13 | - 27% | |
| Housing | - 39% | |||
| Housing in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 39% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,333 | $7,225 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,299 | $4,983 | - 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $300 | $242 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,049 | $5,127 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,357 | $3,876 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $160 | $215 | - 26% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $68 | $88 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 | $611 | - 56% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $214 | $145 | + 47% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $18 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $35 | + 16% | |
| Clothes | - 39% | |||
| Clothes in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 39% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $60 | $96 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 | $77 | - 43% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $100 | $149 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $162 | $247 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 48% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,665 | $61,673 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.92 | $1.17 | - 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $90 | $177 | - 49% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 | $27 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 31% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $4.99 | $14 | - 65% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 | $32 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $194 | $233 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $12 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.83 | $9 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 | $13 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.04 | $8 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.99 | $2.61 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 | $37 | - 15% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 39% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $62 | $101 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $33 | $40 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $241 | $536 | - 55% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $113 | $201 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $29 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.77 | $11 | - 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 | $16 | - 45% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $497 | $710 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.79 | $1.04 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $86 | $242 | - 64% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $14 | $21 | - 34% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 40% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 954 prices entered by 174 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 12, 2024.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $20,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $12,089 in Boston, Massachusetts.
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