Cost of Living in Boston, United States
Boston is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $4,019 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $3,405 per month, or $2,582 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Boston scores 50/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 83°F and winter highs around 43°F, with roughly 208 sunny days a year.
Boston Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Boston
How Boston Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Boston ranks in the top 4% for internet speed, but costs more than 98% of them.
| Metric | Boston | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $4,019 | #334 of 340 | #77 of 80 |
| Safety | 50/100 | #237 of 340 | #31 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 72/100 | #138 of 340 | #63 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 83/100 | #14 of 340 | #3 of 80 |
| Public transit | 72/100 | #53 of 340 | #5 of 80 |
| Food scene | 78/100 | #121 of 340 | #30 of 80 |
| Air quality | 80/100 | #192 of 340 | #49 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Boston
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Boston.
- Vancouver, Canada — $2,180/mo, 46% cheaper, safety 75/100 · Compare with Boston
- Portland, United States — $2,987/mo, 26% cheaper, safety 62/100 · Compare with Boston
- Victoria, Canada — $2,060/mo, 49% cheaper, safety 76/100
- Savannah, United States — $2,704/mo, 33% cheaper, safety 42/100 · Compare with Boston
Boston FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Boston?
A single person should budget around $4,019 per month in Boston, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,259 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Boston?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Boston averages $3,405 per month, dropping to about $2,582 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $6,114.
Is Boston safe?
Boston scores 50/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 65/100.
How fast is the internet in Boston?
Median download speeds in Boston are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 70 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Boston?
Boston sees summer highs around 83°F and winter highs near 43°F, with about 208 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 100 days.
Boston in our travel guides
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