City comparison
Boston vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Seattle (137.2).
Boston Index
144.3
Seattle Index
137.2
Boston Rent
$3,775
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Boston Home price
$722,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$114,096
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 184 | -14.0 (-7.1%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 118 | -4.0 (-3.3%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 113 | -1.0 (-0.9%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 109 | -4.0 (-3.5%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 103 | -3.0 (-2.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 116 | -5.0 (-4.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $6,410
Boston / Seattle
Couple
$11,270 / $10,640
Boston / Seattle
Family
$15,890 / $15,000
Boston / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.