Quick answer
Seattle is 54% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $154,000 in Boston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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
Seattle is 54% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+24% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$154,000
Seattle vs Boston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$2,600/mo
+24%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$3,400/mo
+24%
Median home price
$780K
$720K
-8%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$420
-2%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$160
+23%
State income tax
None
5%
Seattle saves
Walk score
74/100
83/100
Boston better
Transit score
59/100
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 Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$92,000
$39,000
$80,000
$123,000
$52,000
$100,000
$154,000
$65,000
$120,000
$185,000
$78,000
$150,000
$231,000
$97,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Boston
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
FAQs
Is Seattle or Boston cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 54% cheaper than Boston overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Boston to match $100K in Seattle?
$154,000 in Boston is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+24% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Boston: 5%).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Boston?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Boston $2,600/mo (+24%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Boston $3,400/mo (+24%).
Does Seattle or Boston have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,000.