Cost of living · head to head
Boston, MA is 5% pricier than Phoenix, AZ.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Phoenix, AZoverall index
103.3
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Try your own salary
in Phoenix, AZ
To live the same in Boston, MA, you’d need about $104,840.
That’s about $4,840 more — Boston, MA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Boston, MA runs 22% higher than in Phoenix, AZ (148.4 vs 121.2), 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 Boston, MA
| $50,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $52,420 |
| $75,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $78,630 |
| $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $104,840 |
| $150,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $157,260 |
| $200,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $209,681 |
Each row shows the salary in Boston, MA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Phoenix, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ · housing
121.2
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Common questions
Is Boston, MA cheaper than Phoenix, AZ?
No — Boston, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.3 versus 103.3 for Phoenix, AZ, making it about 5% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Boston, MA to match $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ?
About $104,840. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Phoenix, AZ costs roughly $104,840 in Boston, MA.
Is housing cheaper in Boston, MA than in Phoenix, AZ?
Housing in Boston, MA scores 148.4 versus 121.2 in Phoenix, AZ — about 22% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA?
Overall, Boston, MA is about 5% pricier than Phoenix, AZ (index 108.3 vs 103.3), with housing 22% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.