Quick answer
Boston is 29% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $71,000 in Boston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Boston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Boston is 29% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+8% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$71,000
Los Angeles vs Boston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$2,600/mo
+8%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$3,400/mo
+6%
Median home price
$850K
$720K
-15%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$420
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$160
+14%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
5%
Boston saves
Walk score
68/100
83/100
Boston better
Transit score
53/100
75/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Boston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$42,000
$85,000
$80,000
$56,000
$113,000
$100,000
$71,000
$142,000
$120,000
$85,000
$170,000
$150,000
$106,000
$213,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Boston
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Boston cheaper to live in?
Boston is 29% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Boston 1BR rent ($2,600/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Boston $720K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Boston to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$71,000 in Boston is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+8% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Boston: 5%).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Boston?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Boston $2,600/mo (+8%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Boston $3,400/mo (+6%).
Does Los Angeles or Boston have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,300.