What Salary Do You Need to Live in Boston, MA?

To live comfortably in Boston, a household needs to earn roughly $95,000/year. That's about $7,917/month before taxes.

The Number: $95,000/year

At $95,000 per year, a household in Boston can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Boston's median monthly rent of $2,196 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Boston at a Glance

Median rent$2,196/mo
Median home price$722,800
Median household income$97,791
State income tax5% + 4% surtax
Sales tax6.25%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Boston on roughly $60,000/year. That's about $5,000/month before taxes.

See the full Boston cost of living profile →

Compare Boston to another city →

Try the Salary Calculator

Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Boston

The median monthly rent is $2,196. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $88,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $722,800. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $144,560 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $97,791/year. Our recommended salary of $95,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.