City comparison
San Diego vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between San Diego (141.4) and Boston (144.3).
San Diego Index
141.4
Boston Index
144.3
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Boston Rent
$3,775
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in San Diego to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$119,400
Based on the relative overall cost of living between San Diego and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | San Diego | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 194 | 198 | +4.0 (+2.1%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 122 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 114 | +5.0 (+4.6%) |
| Healthcare | 110 | 113 | +3.0 (+2.7%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 106 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 121 | +3.0 (+2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,650 / $6,790
San Diego / Boston
Couple
$11,040 / $11,270
San Diego / Boston
Family
$15,560 / $15,890
San Diego / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
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.