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Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. It is a city blending history and intellect with its cobblestone streets and renowned universities like Harvard and MIT. Thousands of students flock here every year considering the progressive subjects, sports, and job & entrepreneurial opportunities. If you’re planning to move here for higher studies, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Boston.
Boston provides an excellent quality of life with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major US cities. Proper budgeting is key to enjoying a comfortable stay in this vibrant city. If you’re curious about the essential costs to consider when calculating the average cost of living in Boston and how to manage them effectively, this blog is perfect for you. Be sure to read until the end to learn more.
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Cost of Living in Boston
The cost of Living in Boston is all about determining everything you need to spend money on a daily basis here. The average cost of living in Boston for one person, excluding housing rent, is approximately USD 1435, without rent, according to Numbeo. When factoring in apartment rent, expenses range from USD 2,300 to USD 4,000. However, these costs of living can vary based on lifestyle, location, and personal preferences.
It includes housing rent, food costs, grocery costs, transportation costs, healthcare costs, the cost of fun activities and many more. Boston is generally considered to be expensive. Below is an approximate estimation of the cost of living in Boston.
| Category | Approx Costs |
| A single person’s cost of living, including rent | USD 4506.21 |
| Price of one-way ticket in a local transport | USD 2.40 |
| Price of a meal at a modest restaurant | USD 25.00 |
| Cost of basic utilities (including water, electricity, garbage, etc.) | USD 205.66 |
| Monthly rent for one bedroom apartment inside the city centre | USD 3,065.00 |
Cost of Transportation in Boston
Transportation in Boston includes local buses, trains, and taxis, which are usually cheaper than owning a car or bike. The average monthly cost of a transportation pass is around USD 90. If you don’t buy a monthly pass, paying a daily fare price might affect the cost of living in Boston.
It’s a good idea to consider transportation costs in Boston. Go through the table below showing the cost of transportation in Boston, understand them and plan your budget accordingly.
| Types of Transportation | Approx Cost |
| One-way ticket in a local transport | USD 2.40 |
| The regular price of a monthly pass | USD 90.00 |
| Normal taxi per km | USD 1.74 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | USD 0.96 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Madagascar: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Meals & Groceries in Boston
Understanding the cost of meals and groceries in Boston is essential for estimating the overall cost of living in Boston. Groceries include crucial food items like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, water, milk, bread, and other consumables.
At the same time, dining out at nearby restaurants can be more expensive than cooking at home, you can prepare food on your own by buying these groceries. Meals and groceries cost the following in Boston.
| Items | Approx Cost |
| Meals at an in-expensive restaurant | USD 25.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | USD 12.00 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | USD 2.46 |
| 1-liter milk | USD 1.26 |
| Loaf of bread (500 gms) | USD 4.46 |
| 1 kg rice | USD 6.19 |
| Eggs (12) | USD 4.94 |
| Fruits (1kg) | USD 6.25 |
Accommodation Costs in Boston
The cost of housing rent in Boston depends on where you live and the type of apartment you prefer there. For instance, renting an apartment in a city area of Boston could cost much more than renting an apartment outside the city here. Accommodation costs constitute the major chunk of the Cost of living in Boston. Let’s look at the approximate costs below.
| Types of Apartments and Location | Approx Cost |
| 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre | USD 3,065.00 |
| 1 bedroom apartment outside of Centre | USD 2,210.42 |
| 3 bedrooms apartment in the City Centre | USD 5,183.91 |
| 3 bedrooms apartment outside the Centre | USD 3,561.36 |
Cost of a Utility in Boston
In the cost of living budget in Boston, it is also important to consider the cost of utilities there. The basic utility costs in Boston are around USD 127 including things like electricity, water, gas, heating, and others. Understanding these utility costs and bills in Boston will help you manage your overall expenses. Please note that you can save money if you utilise the utility properly without wasting it.
Average Tuition Fees in Boston
Understanding the average tuition fees at the universities of Boston is essential to planning a budget for the cost of education there. Moreover, it will help you decide where and which university you have to pursue your higher education. Moreover, it can impact your access to education and financial well-being.
The annual tuition fees in the universities of Boston can vary depending on the degree, program or course you prefer. However, the average tuition fee in Boston is shown in the table below.
| Type of Course | Approx Tuition Fee |
| UG tuition fees | USD 29,000 – USD 54,000 |
| PG tuition fees | USD 45,000 – USD 56,000 |
Cost of Living in Boston Compared to Other Cities
In general, the cost of living in Boston is generally higher than that of other major cities. However, Boston offers plenty of options for higher education, employment, and entertainment, as well as a reasonably affordable cost of living.
For your concern, we have given a comparison with the monthly total cost of living in Boston to other cities like New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Toronto and Washington, DC so that you can comprehend how affordable is to Boston is. Please have a look and comprehend these expenses:
| Cost of living city-wise | Approx Costs | Comparison Cost of Living in Boston |
| Cost of Living in New Jersey | USD 2589 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in New York | USD 3277 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in Chicago | USD 2613 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in Atlanta | USD 2648 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of living in Seattle | USD 2974 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in Los Angeles | USD 3165 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in San Francisco | USD 3729 | Higher than Boston |
| Cost of Living in Houston | USD 2221 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in Toronto | USD 2576 | Lower than Boston |
| Cost of Living in Washington, DC | USD 3079 | Lower than Boston |
The cost of living in Boston is generally higher than in many other major cities. Despite this, Boston offers abundant opportunities for higher education, employment, and entertainment, contributing to a relatively balanced cost of living.
Also Read: Cost of Living in Connecticut: Expected Expenses Guide
Why Choose Boston to Study Abroad?
Boston is an ideal place for pursuing higher education because it is home to 35 universities, most of which are renowned globally. It offers an exceptional range of advanced educational programmes and a variety of courses along with the affordable cost of living in Boston. However, that’s not all. There are multiple other reasons why you should add Boston to your list of study-abroad countries.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Boston is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with multiple thriving startups and numerous venture capital firms. The city is also home to many incubators such as MassChallenge and Techstars, providing support and resources to entrepreneurs. Further, in 2021, Boston ranked 4th in the Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Extracurricular Activities
Boston has 20% population of college-goers. Therefore, the city offers a lot of extracurricular activities. So whether you’re a sports enthusiast or an art lover, you can find something for yourself here.
Strong Transportation System
From beaches to mountains, subways can take you everywhere in this city. It is one of the very few places in the US where you do not need your own vehicle which is an excellent deal for students studying here.
Things to Know Before Moving to Boston
Moving to a new country like Boston is an exciting adventure but comes with challenges. It is crucial to consider some key factors, along with the average cost of living in Boston, to plan better and prepare for the transition. Now that you know the cost you’ll have to bear while living in Boston, let’s look at some of the other important things that you should know before you move to this city.
Weather Variation in Boston
Be prepared for diverse weather when moving to Boston. Summers are hot while winters in Boston are extremely cold and snowy. So don’t forget to pack clothes for layering and also throw in some warm winter coats!
Transportation Options in Boston
Familiarize yourself with Boston’s public transportation system, including buses and the “T”, which is the subway system in the city. Consider getting a CharlieCard for convenient and cost-effective travel.
Historical Significance
Explore Boston’s rich cultural landmarks such as the Freedom Trail. Understanding the background that the city has will surely add to your overall experience.
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FAQs on Cost of Living in Boston
Ans: A single person’s cost of living in Boston, including rent, is around USD 4506. and the cost of living for a family of four members is around USD 10,000. However, it may vary according to the living preferences of an individual.
Ans: In comparison to the other cities, Boston is affordable. For a single person, the average cost of living in Boston is around USD 4506, which makes it possible to live life lightly without any tension.
Ans. Start with the Freedom Trail, visiting landmarks like the Boston Common, Paul Revere’s House, and the USS Constitution Museum.
Ans. Boston has some of the most prestigious universities like Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, and more offering diverse programs.
Ans. The Boston “T” is the subway system in the city. You can use it to travel around the city.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Boston. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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