Boston vs New York: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
How do Boston and New York stack up for professionals? We compare salaries, rent, taxes, and overall quality of life to help you make an informed decision.
Boston
New York
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Boston | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 100 | -8% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $78,000 | $75,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,800 | $3,200 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $3,800 | $4,500 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 95 | 100 | -5% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $110 | $127 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 28% | 28.5% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 98 | 100 | -2% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Boston | New York | Difference |
|---|
New York Offers Better Purchasing Power
New York has a purchasing power index of 100 compared to 98 for Boston. Despite potentially higher costs, making it a stronger choice from a pure economic standpoint. It's also a top tech hub (score: 9/10).
Common Questions
Based on cost of living indices, Boston (92) is less expensive compared to New York (100), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $109,000 in New York to match $100,000 in Boston.
Boston has a tech hub score of 8/10 while New York scores 9/10. New York generally offers more tech opportunities.
Based on purchasing power, New York offers better value. This accounts for both salary levels and cost of living.
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Last updated: 2026-02-19 | Data sources: Numbeo, OECD, Glassdoor, and local government statistics.