Cost of Living in Malden, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,121 (excluding rent), and $3,414 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,741 (excluding rent), and $5,822 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.28 $20.28

$10.14 $10.14

$31.44 $31.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$66.1 $66.1

$35.58 $35.58

$102 $102

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$9.96 $9.96

$15.11 $15.11

Cappuccino

$4.52 $4.52

$3.01 $3.01

$7.03 $7.03

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.01 $1.01

$3.39 $3.39

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$0.97 $0.97

$2.44 $2.44

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.13 $6.13

$4.08 $4.08

$8.68 $8.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.85 $6.85

$4.89 $4.89

$11.75 $11.75

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$0.54 $0.54

$1.62 $1.62

White Bread (500g)

$3.49 $3.49

$1.69 $1.69

$6.55 $6.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$2.25 $2.25

$12.26 $12.26

Eggs

$4.24 $4.24

$2.04 $2.04

$7.64 $7.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.84 $16.84

$6.59 $6.59

$32.97 $32.97

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.49 $13.49

$6.55 $6.55

$21.82 $21.82

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.1 $19.1

$10.82 $10.82

$36.8 $36.8

Apples (1kg)

$3.89 $3.89

$2.25 $2.25

$5.17 $5.17

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.11 $1.11

$1.75 $1.75

Oranges (1kg)

$3.81 $3.81

$2.17 $2.17

$4.38 $4.38

Tomato (1kg)

$3.93 $3.93

$2.15 $2.15

$5.36 $5.36

Potato (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$1.6 $1.6

$10.71 $10.71

Onion (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.89 $1.89

$2.79 $2.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.68 $2.68

$2.01 $2.01

$5.03 $5.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.3 $2.3

$1.28 $1.28

$2.56 $2.56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.83 $12.83

$10.86 $10.86

$16.78 $16.78

Wine (Bottle)

$13.3 $13.3

$6.98 $6.98

$17.94 $17.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$4.24 $4.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.46 $5.46

$1.55 $1.55

$6.84 $6.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.23 $1.23

$2.46 $2.46

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$90.4 $90.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.95 $2.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 $1.77

$3.79 $3.79

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.08 $28.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 $0.89

$0.77 $0.77

$1.03 $1.03

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.2K $30.2K

$23.4K $23.4K

$36K $36K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.7K $24.7K

$23.6K $23.6K

$39.4K $39.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$195 $195

$100 $100

$344 $344

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.2 $53.2

$24.87 $24.87

$74.6 $74.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.6 $66.6

$50.4 $50.4

$80.7 $80.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.68 $35.68

$17.84 $17.84

$51 $51

Cinema Ticket

$15.28 $15.28

$11.83 $11.83

$19.72 $19.72

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,732 $1,732

$774 $774

$2,512 $2,512

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.6K $27.6K

$10K $10K

$40.1K $40.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.45 $47.45

$19.98 $19.98

$74.9 $74.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.41 $34.41

$20.24 $20.24

$50.6 $50.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.6 $86.6

$55.4 $55.4

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$39.71 $39.71

$199 $199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,430 $2,430

$2,197 $2,197

$2,696 $2,696

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,978 $1,978

$1,780 $1,780

$2,374 $2,374

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,490 $3,490

$2,992 $2,992

$3,989 $3,989

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,831 $2,831

$2,730 $2,730

$2,932 $2,932

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,571 $4,571

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

3.5

6.8

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Malden, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

Malden offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want proximity to Boston without the city’s premium. If you weigh rent, groceries, and transport, you’ll find value in older but well-maintained apartment stock and a range of public transit options. The vibe is quieter than downtown Boston but still connected by trains and buses. In general, you can expect a moderate cost of living relative to major metro centers in the region, with seasonal heating costs in winter and variable utility bills. Cost of Living in Malden, MA, United States gives a snapshot of the drift toward affordability with access. Tip: Use public transit to navigate and compare neighborhoods during your visit.

Thinking through daily life, the Malden, MA, United States living cost will influence where you sit on the housing ladder, the size of your meals, and your commuting plan. Malden Center offers walkable amenities and easy access to the Orange Line, while Oak Grove and surrounding streets offer quieter residential options. You’ll find a mix of supermarkets and casual eateries within easy reach, with farmers markets seasonally adding fresh produce. For work, consider nearby coworking spaces or cafes with reliable Wi-Fi; transit-friendly layouts help you split between Boston and local neighborhoods. Tip: map out a two-week exploratory route to compare neighborhoods and transit timing.

Quality of life in Malden balances urban access with residential calm. Use a simple budgeting framework like essentials, lifestyle, and savings to guide decisions, then adjust by season. Housing near Malden Center or Oak Grove tends to be more energy-efficient options; living costs shift with heating needs in winter and cooling in shoulder seasons. Embrace seasonal foods and local markets to stretch groceries, and consider bike or rail for eco-friendly commuting. Tip: set up automatic savings and test a month of transit passes to gauge true commuting spend.