City comparison
Washington vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Boston (144.3).
Washington Index
142.9
Boston Index
144.3
Washington Rent
$3,800
Boston Rent
$3,775
Washington Home price
$705,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$120,166
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 198 | -3.0 (-1.5%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 122 | +5.0 (+4.3%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 114 | +5.0 (+4.6%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 113 | +2.0 (+1.8%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 106 | +2.0 (+1.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 121 | +3.0 (+2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $6,790
Washington / Boston
Couple
$11,160 / $11,270
Washington / Boston
Family
$15,720 / $15,890
Washington / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.