Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 17% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States)
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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 491 prices entered by 71 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 0% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is about the same as in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 | $19 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 | $11 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $10 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.11 | $1.26 | - 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.28 | $5.98 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.47 | $3.91 | + 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $6 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.81 | $3.80 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.94 | $1.47 | + 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.06 | $2.52 | - 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $18 | - 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.20 | $2.42 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.65 | $2.18 | + 22% | |
| Housing | + 48% | |||
| Housing in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 48% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,103 | $2,247 | + 83% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,844 | $1,711 | + 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $272 | $188 | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,722 | $1,872 | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,989 | $1,167 | + 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $179 | $157 | + 14% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $52 | $54 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $299 | $321 | - 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $192 | $155 | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $12 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $25 | $26 | - 4% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 12% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 | $53 | - 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 | $41 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 | $109 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 | $104 | + 15% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is about the same as in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,145 | $23,355 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.04 | $1.53 | - 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $90 | $89 | + 1% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | $20 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 6% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $8 | + 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $12 | $20 | - 43% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $180 | $109 | + 66% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $9 | - 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.83 | $5.08 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.42 | $6 | - 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.91 | $4.55 | - 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.87 | $2.29 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $33 | $22 | + 52% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 18% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $66 | $57 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 | $31 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $350 | $167 | + 109% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $98 | $77 | + 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $12 | + 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.98 | $5.97 | - 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $8 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $532 | $383 | + 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.28 | $0.41 | - 31% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $107 | $52 | + 104% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 | $10 | + 10% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 17% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 491 prices entered by 71 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 01, 2023.
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For example, you would need at least $7,979 in Boston, Massachusetts to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $6,800 in Sacramento, California.
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