Cost of Living Comparison Between Boston, MA and New York, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Boston, MA and New York, NY

πŸ™‚ Solo nomad: Boston, MA is 14.5% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 5.9% cheaper with rent.
πŸ™‚ Family of 3: Boston, MA is 14% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 20.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.58 $24.58
$29.68 $29.68
-17.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$130 $130
$144 $144
-9.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.32 $11.32
$12.43 $12.43
-8.93%
Cappuccino
$5.5 $5.5
$5.84 $5.84
-5.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.1 $3.1
$3.26 $3.26
-4.91%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 $2.44
$2.58 $2.58
-5.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.83 $7.83
$8.24 $8.24
-4.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.79 $8.79
$11.86 $11.86
-25.89%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.56 $1.56
-19.23%
White Bread (500g)
$4.25 $4.25
$5.23 $5.23
-18.74%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.55 $6.55
$8.11 $8.11
-19.24%
Eggs
$4.66 $4.66
$7.25 $7.25
-35.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.61 $16.61
$17.08 $17.08
-2.75%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.79 $13.79
$16.24 $16.24
-15.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.3 $20.3
$20.02 $20.02
1.40%
Apples (1kg)
$5.89 $5.89
$7.49 $7.49
-21.36%
Banana (1kg)
$2.12 $2.12
$2.55 $2.55
-16.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.43 $6.43
$5.82 $5.82
10.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$7.98 $7.98
$6.52 $6.52
22.39%
Potato (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$3.72 $3.72
19.35%
Onion (1kg)
$3.68 $3.68
$3.9 $3.9
-5.64%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.75 $2.75
$3.07 $3.07
-10.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.57 $2.57
-1.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.64 $13.64
$19.21 $19.21
-29.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.13 $17.13
$17.79 $17.79
-3.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.01 $3.01
-2.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.48 $5.48
$3.72 $3.72
47.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.33 $2.33
$2.92 $2.92
-20.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$88.9 $88.9
$134 $134
-33.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.62 $2.62
$5.13 $5.13
-48.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$2.15 $2.15
-18.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.96 $27.96
$41.57 $41.57
-32.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$0.95 $0.95
-7.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
$35K $35K
-12.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$27.7K $27.7K
-7.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$191 $191
$179 $179
6.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.1 $58.1
$60 $60
-3.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77.9 $77.9
$63.8 $63.8
22.03%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$80 $80
$141 $141
-43.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.42 $30.42
$63.9 $63.9
-52.39%
Cinema Ticket
$15.37 $15.37
$19.9 $19.9
-22.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,755 $2,755
$3,206 $3,206
-14.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$27.2K $27.2K
$56.5K $56.5K
-51.86%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.8 $67.8
$65.7 $65.7
3.12%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.6 $44.6
$48.75 $48.75
-8.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$104 $104
$111 $111
-6.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$150 $150
$172 $172
-12.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,432 $3,432
$4,165 $4,165
-17.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,610 $2,610
$2,653 $2,653
-1.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$6,218 $6,218
$8,412 $8,412
-26.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,949 $3,949
$5,277 $5,277
-25.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$9,631 $9,631
$15.6K $15.6K
-38.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,118 $6,118
$11.2K $11.2K
-45.16%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,166 $6,166
$5,616 $5,616
9.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.44
-0.16%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Boston, MA: October 28, 2025

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

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