Cost of Living · Updated June 2026
Boston vs Seattle Cost of Living Comparison
Seattle is about 13% cheaper than Boston overall in 2026. A single professional spends about $4,294 per month in Boston and $3,717 in Seattle, all-in with centre rent – and to match the lifestyle a $100,000 salary buys in Boston, you would need roughly $91,700 in Seattle.
The biggest lever is housing: a one-bedroom in the centre runs $3,100 in Boston versus $2,500 in Seattle (-19%). Day-to-day costs differ less – groceries ($540 vs $540), utilities ($200 vs $210), and a transit pass ($90 vs $100) – which is why flat CPI comparisons mislead people who rent in the centre.
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Composite 2026 index incl. centre rent (NYC = 100). Salary figures are gross – taxes not included; pair with the salary after tax calculator.
Key insights
Key insights
- $100,000 in Boston ≈ $91,700 in Seattle on the 2026 composite index.
- Centre rent gap: $3,100 vs $2,500 for a one-bedroom (-19% in Seattle).
- All-in single budgets: $4,294/month in Boston vs $3,717/month in Seattle.
- Family of four: $8,311 vs $7,252 per month.
- Local purchasing power favours Seattle when you earn the local average salary.
| Expense | Boston | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent – 1-bed, city centre | $3,100 | $2,500 | -19% |
| Rent – 1-bed, outside centre | $2,500 | $2,000 | -20% |
| Rent – 3-bed, city centre | $5,700 | $4,600 | -19% |
| Groceries (single person) | $540 | $540 | +0% |
| Utilities + internet | $200 | $210 | +5% |
| Public transport pass | $90 | $100 | +11% |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $26 | $26 | +0% |
| All-in single person budget | $4,294 | $3,717 | -13% |
| All-in family of 4 budget | $8,311 | $7,252 | -13% |
How the Boston → Seattle salary equivalence works
MovingCal scores every city on a composite 2026 cost index that includes rent (New York = 100). Boston scores 84; Seattle scores 77. Equivalent salary is your current salary multiplied by 77/84 – so $100,000 in Boston ≈ $91,700 in Seattle.
Index math is a starting point, not a verdict. Two corrections matter: taxes (gross pay buys different net pay – check the salary after tax calculator for both locations) and housing choice (renting outside the centre cuts the gap to $500/month between these two cities).
Affordability analysis: who comes out ahead?
Measured against local average net salaries ($6,700/month in Boston, $7,300/month in Seattle), a single person's budget consumes 64% of typical take-home pay in Boston and 51% in Seattle. Seattle is the easier city to save in on a local salary.
Buying instead of renting changes the picture: property runs $10,300/m² in Boston versus $8,500/m² in Seattle, with typical 2026 mortgage rates of 6.3% and 6.3% respectively. See the rent vs buy pages for both cities before assuming ownership is cheaper.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Seattle cheaper than Boston in 2026?
Seattle is about 13% cheaper than Boston overall. A single person needs about $4,294 per month in Boston versus $3,717 in Seattle, including rent in the city centre.
What salary in Seattle equals $100,000 in Boston?
Based on the 2026 composite cost index (including rent), you would need roughly $91,700 in Seattle to keep the purchasing power of a $100,000 salary in Boston. Taxes differ too, so run the salary-after-tax calculator for the net picture.
How much higher is rent in Boston?
A one-bedroom in the centre averages $3,100 in Boston and $2,500 in Seattle – a gap of 24%. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the total difference.
How much does a family of 4 need in Boston vs Seattle?
Plan on about $8,311 per month in Boston and $7,252 in Seattle for a family of four renting a three-bedroom in the centre, including groceries, utilities, transport, and a lifestyle margin.
How is this comparison calculated?
MovingCal combines 2026 rent, grocery, utility, transport, and dining estimates into a composite index (New York = 100). Boston scores 84 and Seattle scores 77. Equivalent salary = your salary × (77 ÷ 84).
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