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Cost of living · head to head

Washington, DC is approximately 1% pricier than Boston, MA, using Boston, MA as the comparison base.

Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average. Figures represent the wider Boston, MA and Washington, DC metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Boston, MA
A salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA has approximately the same purchasing power as $100,554 in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Boston, MA and Washington, DC cost about the same overall, so $100,000 would go roughly as far in either place — your day-to-day spending shouldn’t feel noticeably different.
Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Where the difference lies

The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Washington, DC run 2% higher than in Boston, MA (151.1 vs 148.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people, housing rents move the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.

Category comparison

CategoryBoston, MAWashington, DCDifference
Overall108.3108.9+1%
Goods99.7104.8+5%
Housing rents148.4151.1+2%
Utilities148.8106.7-28%
Other services103.6102.3-1%

Washington, DC differs from Boston, MA the most in utilities — about 28% lower in Washington, DC — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent 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 estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in Boston, MA.

Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

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.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in Boston, MA if you moved to Washington, DC?

About $100,554, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Boston, MA has approximately the same purchasing power as $100,554 in Washington, DC. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Boston, MA?

Housing rents in Washington, DC score 151.1 versus 148.4 in Boston, MA — about 2% more expensive. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

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.