City comparison
Los Angeles vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Boston (144.3).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Boston Index
144.3
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Boston Rent
$3,775
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$121,465
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 198 | -10.0 (-4.8%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 122 | -1.0 (-0.8%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 114 | -4.0 (-3.4%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 113 | +2.0 (+1.8%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 106 | -3.0 (-2.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 121 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $6,790
Los Angeles / Boston
Couple
$11,740 / $11,270
Los Angeles / Boston
Family
$16,540 / $15,890
Los Angeles / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
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.