Cost of living · head to head
New York, NY is 4% pricier than Boston, MA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Try your own salary
in Boston, MA
To live the same in New York, NY, you’d need about $103,970.
That’s about $3,970 more — New York, NY is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 4%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in New York, NY runs 0% higher than in Boston, MA (148.6 vs 148.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in New York, NY
| $50,000 in Boston, MA | $51,985 |
| $75,000 in Boston, MA | $77,978 |
| $100,000 in Boston, MA | $103,970 |
| $150,000 in Boston, MA | $155,956 |
| $200,000 in Boston, MA | $207,941 |
Each row shows the salary in New York, NY that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Boston, MA.
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Common questions
Is New York, NY cheaper than Boston, MA?
No — New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6 versus 108.3 for Boston, MA, making it about 4% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in New York, NY to match $100,000 in Boston, MA?
About $103,970. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Boston, MA costs roughly $103,970 in New York, NY.
Is housing cheaper in New York, NY than in Boston, MA?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 versus 148.4 in Boston, MA — about 0% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Boston, MA and New York, NY?
Overall, New York, NY is about 4% pricier than Boston, MA (index 112.6 vs 108.3), with housing 0% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.