Washington, DC vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Washington is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Boston are 2.2% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (106.7 in Washington vs 148.8 in Boston). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,627 a month in Washington and $3,718 in Boston.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Washington, DC | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 109.4 | 111.8 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.9 | 108.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.9 | 155.3 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 103.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,627 | $3,718 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,311 | $5,536 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,532 | $6,405 |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 | $2,147 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,944 | $2,012 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,083 | $2,248 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,503 | $2,281 |
| Median home value | $737,100 | $731,700 |
| Median household income | $109,870 | $97,344 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 28.6% | 30.6% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.7× | 7.5× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 25.98 | 30.48 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.10 |
| Population | 681,294 | 666,442 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
Boston, MA
Boston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 111.8, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 99.7, Utilities 148.8, Other services 103.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Washington | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $2,107 | −$267 |
| Utilities | $534 | $703 | +$169 |
| Food at home | $779 | $740 | −$39 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,799 | +$18 |
| Health care | $621 | $629 | +$8 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $443 | $427 | −$16 |
| Total | $6,532 | $6,405 | −$127 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Boston more expensive than Washington?
Yes. Overall prices in Boston, MA (index 111.8) are 2.2% higher than in Washington, DC (index 109.4), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 148.8 vs 106.7.
What salary do I need in Boston to match $60,000 in Washington?
About $61,300. Going the other way, $60,000 in Boston buys about as much as $58,700 in Washington. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Washington or Boston?
Median gross rent is $1,954 in Washington and $2,147 in Boston (+9.9% in Boston; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $737,100 and $731,700.
Notes
- Washington: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources