Cost of living · head to head
Boston, MA is 1% cheaper than Washington, DC.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Try your own salary
in Washington, DC
To live the same in Boston, MA, you’d need about $99,449.
That’s about $551 less — Boston, MA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Boston, MA runs 2% lower than in Washington, DC (148.4 vs 151.1), 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 Boston, MA
| $50,000 in Washington, DC | $49,725 |
| $75,000 in Washington, DC | $74,587 |
| $100,000 in Washington, DC | $99,449 |
| $150,000 in Washington, DC | $149,174 |
| $200,000 in Washington, DC | $198,898 |
Each row shows the salary in Boston, MA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Common questions
Is Boston, MA cheaper than Washington, DC?
Yes — Boston, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.3 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 1% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Boston, MA to match $100,000 in Washington, DC?
About $99,449. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Washington, DC costs roughly $99,449 in Boston, MA.
Is housing cheaper in Boston, MA than in Washington, DC?
Housing in Boston, MA scores 148.4 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 2% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Washington, DC and Boston, MA?
Overall, Boston, MA is about 1% cheaper than Washington, DC (index 108.3 vs 108.9), with housing 2% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.