City comparison
Seattle vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Boston (144.3).
Seattle Index
137.2
Boston Index
144.3
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Boston Rent
$3,775
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$118,848
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 198 | +14.0 (+7.6%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 122 | +4.0 (+3.4%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 114 | +1.0 (+0.9%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 113 | +4.0 (+3.7%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 106 | +3.0 (+2.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 121 | +5.0 (+4.3%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $6,790
Seattle / Boston
Couple
$10,640 / $11,270
Seattle / Boston
Family
$15,000 / $15,890
Seattle / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.