Is New York, NY cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, New York, NY is 12.8% more expensive than Boston, MA. This translates to spending an extra $956 per month.

What salary do I need in New York, NY to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $161,476.51 in New York, NY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and New York, NY?

Housing in New York, NY is 45.0% more expensive than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,590/month in New York, NY compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Boston, MA to New York, NY?

Living in New York, NY costs approximately $956 more per month than Boston, MA, or $11477 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Boston, MA

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New York, NY

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $956/month more in New York, NY

$150.0K in your current city equals $161.5K in New York, NY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↑ 12.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$956

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$11.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:113

Median Home:$1.05M

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

New York, NY

The Empire State

8.3M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Most populous city in the US
•Major global financial center
•World-renowned cultural hub

Major Industries

FinanceReal EstateTechnologyMedia

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Boston, MA vs New York, NY

Category	Boston, MA	New York, NY	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,275/mo	$7,648/mo	↑ $2,373more	45.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,830/mo	$1,602/mo	↓ $228less	12.5%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$2,034/mo	↑ $209more	11.5%
⚡All Utilities	$716/mo	$600/mo	↓ $116less	16.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,165/mo	↑ $85.94more	8.0%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$688/mo	↓ $55.76less	7.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 45.0%

Boston, MA

$5,275

New York, NY

$7,648

Difference

$2,373

🚗Transportation

↓ 12.5%

Boston, MA

$1,830

New York, NY

$1,602

Difference

$228

less

📦Other

↑ 11.5%

Boston, MA

$1,825

New York, NY

$2,034

Difference

$209

⚡All Utilities

↓ 16.2%

Boston, MA

$716

New York, NY

$600

Difference

$116

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.0%

Boston, MA

$1,079

New York, NY

$1,165

Difference

$85.94

🏥Healthcare

↓ 7.5%

Boston, MA

$743

New York, NY

$688

Difference

$55.76

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

New York, NY: NYC Income Tax$5,689/yr (3.8%)

Boston, MA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,095

To$3,120

↑ $25.00

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$3,270

↑ $15.00

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$3,590

↓ $275

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$4,500

↓ $130

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/mo

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$2,268

Difference

Home Values

Boston

New York

$961K

Median Value

$1.05M

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.1%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↓ -5.9%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$471K - $3.49M

Homes in New York are 9% more expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - New York

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$170

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.4%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

New York, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.