Boston, MA vs. New York, NY: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Boston and New York, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Boston, MA | New York, NY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 666,442 | 8,483,844 | +1173.0% |
| Median household income | $97,344 | $80,483 | -17.3% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $2,147 | $1,821 | -15.2% |
| Median home value | $731,700 | $777,600 | +6.3% |
Difference is New York, NY relative to Boston, MA.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Massachusetts 105.8, New York 107.9, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Boston, MA buys about as much as $102,046 in New York, NY.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $85,880 | $72,840 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 26.5% | 27.2% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $355,105 | $293,597 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.