Living in Boston MA: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

By: ROS Team

Boston, a city of history and innovation, has always been a draw for people from all over. From its famous universities to its sports teams, from its tech scene to its cobblestone streets, Boston has a little bit of everything. But what’s it really like to live here? Whether you’re moving, visiting, or just curious about life in Beantown, this post will answer all your What’s, How’s, and Why’s.

Quick Stats About Boston, Massachusetts

Population: 678,617
Nicknames: Beantown, Athens of America, City of Notions, The Cradle of Liberty, The Puritan City
Employment Rate: 66.7%
Poverty Rate: 17.5%
Total Housing Units: 301,702
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 54.2%
Median Age: 33.3 years
Median Household Income: $89,212

What’s the Cost of Living in Boston, MA?

Living in Boston comes with a higher price tag than most US cities. The cost of living index here is 143.1, way above the national average of 100. So you’ll need to budget more for everyday expenses in Beantown.

Housing costs in Boston are really crazy. The average home price here is $758,099. That’s more than double the US average of $363,438. Rent isn’t much easier on the wallet either. You can expect to pay around $2,884 per month for an average apartment in Boston, while the average American pays around $1,536.

But it’s not all bad. Bostonians make more too. The median household income here is $89,212, above the national average of $75,149.

Based on the average monthly salary of $7,434, here’s a breakdown of the essential living expenses in Boston:

Utility	Expense
Accommodation	$2,884
Groceries	$450
Phone & Internet	$60
Health Insurance	$400
Transportation	$100 — $300
Bills	$200
Miscellaneous Expenses	$200
Total Expense:	$4,294 — $4,494

So you can save anywhere from $2,940 to $3,140 with an average salary in Boston. However, this estimate is only for a single person. If you have a family, expect more expenses and less savings.

What Salary Is Needed to Live Comfortably in Boston?

Boston’s high cost of living demands higher salaries for comfortable living:

Single Working Person: $124,966 Annually or $60/Hour
Family of Four (Two working Adults, Two Children): $289,453 Annually

What’s the Weather Like in Boston, MA?

Boston experiences typical New England weather patterns:

Seasons: Temperate spring and fall, extreme winters
Hottest Month: July (mean temperature 23.4°C)
Coldest Month: January (mean temperature -1.2°C)
Annual Precipitation: 43.6 inches
Snowfall: 49.2 inches per season
Fog: Common in spring and early summer

The city’s weather varies significantly throughout the year, offering residents a full four-season experience. Winters can be harsh, while summers are generally warm and pleasant.

How Safe is Boston, MA?

Is Boston dangerous? Well, Boston’s safety score is a mixed bag. The violent crime rate is 37.3, higher than the national average of 22.7. That’s a 1 in 152 chance of being a victim of violent crime in Boston. But most violent crimes are domestic or involve young people with prior beef.

Property crime in Boston is right in line with the national average: 35.8 vs 35.4.

Boston is safe overall, especially in the more populated areas. But Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury are higher crime areas.

Why Is Boston So Popular?

Boston has done many things first

Boston was the first to do many things. The first subway system in the US was built here between 1895 and 1897. The first public park, Boston Common, was established in 1634, and the first public school, Boston Latin, in 1635. Alexander Graham Bell made the first phone call to his assistant Thomas Watson in Boston.

Education

Boston is an education hub. 35 colleges, universities and community colleges educate over 125,000 students every year. This concentration of educational institutions is a big part of the city’s brainpower and workforce.

Innovation

With MIT, Harvard, and Tufts, Boston is a hotbed of innovation. The city’s academic environment breeds research and technology across many fields.

Highly Walkable

Boston is nicknamed “The Walking City” with a walk score of 83, third in the US for walkability. Only San Francisco and New York City scored higher. The city’s layout and public transportation system make it very pedestrian-friendly.

Environment Friendly

Boston is a leader in sustainability and climate policy. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy named it the most energy-efficient city in the US. There are many outdoor spaces to play in including the Back Bay Fens, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, and Middlesex Fells Reservation.

Landmarks

Boston offers an array of famous landmarks, many tied to America’s early history. Notable sites include:

USS Constitution
Boston Public Garden
Freedom Trail
Old North Church
Faneuil Hall
Old State House
Boston Common
Old South Meeting House
Bunker Hill Monument
Paul Revere House
Charlestown Navy Yard
The Boston Harborwalk

Is Boston a Good Place to Live for Immigrants?

Boston is a great place for immigrants. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area is 18th in the country for immigrants according to The George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative.

The study looked at 12 metrics across 100 of the largest US metro areas. Boston scores high in welcoming and opportunities for newcomers.

It’s got lots of higher education and job opportunities. Boston has 922,623 foreign-born residents, 18.9% of the population. That’s a lot of immigrants which means a lot of culture and coolness.

Immigration has been a big driver of growth in Boston. From 2010 to 2021 it added 320,383 people, 7% of the overall population. That’s kept the city vital and strong.

Is Boston or NYC Better?

Boston and NYC are two of the best cities in the northeast. But which one is better? Let’s break down each aspect of living in these two giants:

Feature	Boston	NYC	Winner
Cost of Living	43% higher than the national average.	58% higher than the national average.	Boston
Crime Rate	Violent Crime Rate: 37.3 Property Crime Rate:35.8	Violent Crime Rate: 28.2 Property Crime Rate: 24.9	NYC
Commute Time	Avg. Commute Time: 30 minutes	Avg. Commute Time: 41 minutes	Boston
Quality of Life	Numbeo Index: 175.95	Numbeo Index: 138.9	Boston
Weather	Colder winters	Slightly warmer winters	NYC
Cuisine and Lifestyle	Family-oriented lifestyle and many local restaurants	World-famous culinary scene and endless entertainment	NYC
Job Opportunities	Focused job market	Diverse job market	NYC

If you want to live a quality life within your budget, Boston should be your priority. And if you looking for a city full of life and endless job opportunities, you should consider moving to NYC.

Is Boston, Massachusetts a Good Place to Live?

Whether Boston is a good place to live or not depends on your personal needs and preferences. However, we can help you in this regard by discussing the pros and cons of living in Boston.

Pros of Living in Boston

Scrapping your head and wondering “Why Move to Boston?” Here are the positives of living in the capital:

1. Location

Boston’s location is a big plus. It’s the cultural and financial capital of New England in the Northeast US. You can drive to Providence, Rhode Island in about an hour or Newport, CT in an hour and a half.

2. Rich History & Culture

One of the oldest cities in the US, Boston has tons of cultural and historical landmarks. Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, the Museum of Fine Arts, lots of stuff to see and learn.

3. Top-Level Education

Boston is an education mecca, with MIT, Harvard, Boston University, and Boston College. Students flock here for the best education.

4. Food

The city is known for its great seafood, fresh from the Boston Harbor. Roast beef sandwiches, Salem chop suey sandwiches, and South Shore-style bar pizzas are local specialties.

5. Sports Scene

Boston has a big sports culture, with pro teams like the Celtics (basketball), the New England Patriots (football), and the Red Sox (baseball). It is one of the few cities in the US with teams in the 5 major American sports.

Cons of Living in Boston

Want to have a look at the flip side? Here are the negatives of Boston living:

1. High Cost of Living

As we mentioned earlier, Boston is more expensive than the US average by 43%. Housing, rent, and utilities are all pricey so it’s an expensive place to live.

2. Traffic

Traffic is a big problem in Boston. In 2022 it was ranked the 2nd most congested city in the US with 134 hours of traffic delay per year. Many residents use public transportation to avoid the long delays on the road.

3. Extreme Weather

Summers are nice in Boston but winters are brutal. The city gets grey days and heavy snowfall with average winter temps between -2 to -3 degrees Celsius.

4. Limited Nightlife

If you like nightlife Boston may not be as exciting as other big cities. There are plenty of bars and restaurants but they close at 2 AM. And with the high cost of living late-night adventures can get pricey.

5. Tight Living Space

Boston living spaces are small because of high demand and limited supply. The city’s layout doesn’t help either, you have to be creative with your living space to make the most of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston a Good Place to Live In Your 20s?

Boston is good in your 20s. The city has a young population with all the universities, hospitals, and tech companies so it’s lively and fun. There are tons of job opportunities in healthcare, tech, education, and retail. Plus the food scene is lively and it’s near the beach so plenty of options for fun and entertainment.

Why Is Boston So Expensive?

Boston is expensive for many reasons. Local policies, high interest rates and limited supply of housing are some of the factors. The city also has a strong job market with industries like finance, biotech, tech, defense, research, healthcare, and education so it attracts a highly skilled workforce and drives up demand for housing.

And having world-class universities like Harvard and MIT adds to the demand for housing and services and drives up costs.

Is Boston a Big City?

Yes, Boston is a big city. It’s the largest city in Massachusetts and the cultural, economic, and educational hub of New England. With a population of over 675,000 and a metro area of over 4.8 million Boston is a major urban center.

What Problems Does Boston Face?

Boston has a few notable problems. One of the biggest is the lack of affordable housing. With record low housing inventory, record high mortgage rates, and record high prices. Crime is also an issue. And traffic and transportation are a big problem. Commuters are stuck in traffic all the time.

Best Neighborhoods in Boston
Worst Neighborhoods in Boston
Boston vs New York City: Which Is Better?