New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
New York and Boston sit close to each other across the headline cost-of-living indicators — typical homes within 5% of each other, median incomes within 16%. The relocation math comes down to non-housing factors: taxes, commute, climate, and personal preference.
Median Home Value
$751,700
$710,400 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$812,534
$768,701
Median Gross Rent
$1,779/mo ✓
$2,093/mo
Owner Occupied %
32.8%
35.4%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
35.2x
28.3x
Median Household Income
$79,713
$94,755 ✓
Per Capita Income
$50,776
$60,001
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
6.0% ✓
Poverty Rate
17.4%
16.9%
Avg Commute (min)
44.8 min
33.2 min
Drove Alone %
21.9%
34.1%
Public Transit %
45.5%
24.0%
Work From Home %
15.0%
18.8%
State Income Tax
10.9%
9.0%
Total Sales Tax
8.5%
6.3% ✓
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
1.2%
Bachelor's Degree %
23.6%
28.5%
Median Age
38
33.2
Avg High Temp
62.6°F
59.3°F
Annual Precipitation
49.5"
43.6"
Annual Snowfall
29.8"
49.2"
New York, NY 1 wins
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Boston, MA 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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