Cost of living · head to head
Washington, DC is 1% pricier than Boston, MA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Try your own salary
in Boston, MA
To live the same in Washington, DC, you’d need about $100,554.
That’s about $554 more — Washington, DC is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Washington, DC runs 2% higher than in Boston, MA (151.1 vs 148.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Washington, DC
| $50,000 in Boston, MA | $50,277 |
| $75,000 in Boston, MA | $75,416 |
| $100,000 in Boston, MA | $100,554 |
| $150,000 in Boston, MA | $150,831 |
| $200,000 in Boston, MA | $201,108 |
Each row shows the salary in Washington, DC that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Boston, MA.
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Common questions
Is Washington, DC cheaper than Boston, MA?
No — Washington, DC has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.9 versus 108.3 for Boston, MA, making it about 1% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Washington, DC to match $100,000 in Boston, MA?
About $100,554. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Boston, MA costs roughly $100,554 in Washington, DC.
Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Boston, MA?
Housing in Washington, DC scores 151.1 versus 148.4 in Boston, MA — about 2% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Boston, MA and Washington, DC?
Overall, Washington, DC is about 1% pricier than Boston, MA (index 108.9 vs 108.3), with housing 2% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.