Cost of living New York vs Boston: rent, home prices, salary
According to BEA's figures for 2024, regional price parities (RPP) put Boston 3.8% below New York. The indexes are 108.3 and 112.6, while the US average is 100.
| US = 100 for price levels | New York | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Price level, all items | 112.6 | 108.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 148.6 | 148.4 |
| Goods | 110.3 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 127.0 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 105.8 | 103.6 |
| Typical rent a month | $4,089 | $3,271 |
| Typical home value, September 2026 | $825,854 | $761,236 |
| Median household income | $81,228 | $97,791 |
| Price to income | 10.2 | 7.8 |
For each metro area, the figures draw on regional price parity data from BEA for 2024, along with Zillow ZORI, ZHVI, and Census ACS 2024 income data.
Salary needed for a move to Boston from New York
Both price levels determine how the salary is scaled. The salary is before tax, and taxes vary by state and locality. Other cities: compare cost of living by city.
New York vs Boston: rents
In New York, monthly asking rent typically reaches $4,089, compared with $3,271 in Boston. Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) measures rents for homes listed now. Boston is 20.0% below New York. BEA's housing price level follows rents. It stands at 148.6 in New York and 148.4 in Boston.
| Rent | New York | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Typical asking rent, Zillow ZORI | $4,089 | $3,271 |
| 12-month change | +5.2% | +2.1% |
| Median gross rent, Census ACS 2024 | $1,811 | $2,196 |
| Housing price level, BEA (US = 100) | 148.6 | 148.4 |
Home prices in New York vs Boston
According to the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), typical homes were valued at $761,236 in Boston and $825,854 in New York in September 2026. Its figures represent home values in the middle of the market. The price of a typical Boston home is 7.8% lower than the price of a typical New York home.
| Home prices | New York | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, September 2026 | $825,854 | $761,236 |
| 12-month change | +4.3% | −1.6% |
| 10-year change | +38.2% | +37.6% |
| Price to income | 10.2 | 7.8 |
| Price to rent | 16.8 | 19.4 |
Price to income divides the typical home value by median household income (Census ACS 2024). The price-to-rent figure divides a home's typical value by annual asking rent.
Price history for both cities
New York is shown by the steel line, and Boston by the grey line. Since January 2000, typical home values in New York rose from $240,841 to $825,854, ×3.43. Boston rose from $212,990 to $761,236, ×3.57.