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Cost of living · head to head

Boston, MA is approximately 1% cheaper than Washington, DC, using Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC and Boston, MA metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Washington, DC
A salary of $100,000 in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $99,449 in Boston, MA, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Washington, DC and Boston, MA 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 Boston, MA run 2% lower than in Washington, DC (148.4 vs 151.1), 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

CategoryWashington, DCBoston, MADifference
Overall108.9108.3-1%
Goods104.899.7-5%
Housing rents151.1148.4-2%
Utilities106.7148.8+39%
Other services102.3103.6+1%

Boston, MA differs from Washington, DC the most in utilities — about 39% higher in Boston, MA — while the closest is other services.

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

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 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.

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

About $99,449, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $99,449 in Boston, MA. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

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

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

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.