City comparison
Boston vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Washington (142.9).
Boston Index
144.3
Washington Index
142.9
Boston Rent
$3,775
Washington Rent
$3,800
Boston Home price
$722,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$118,836
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 201 | +3.0 (+1.5%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 117 | -5.0 (-4.1%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 109 | -5.0 (-4.4%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 111 | -2.0 (-1.8%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 104 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 118 | -3.0 (-2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $6,720
Boston / Washington
Couple
$11,270 / $11,160
Boston / Washington
Family
$15,890 / $15,720
Boston / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.