Median rent is 1% lower in Boston ($2,147/mo vs $2,175/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $831,200. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $95,227 a year). Taken together, Boston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.4 against 114.7 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boston, MA.
Cost of living verdict
Boston is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 110.4 in Boston vs 114.7 in Anaheim (US national average = 100)
City A
Anaheim, CA
City B
Boston, MA
How much would you need to earn in Boston, MA to maintain your standard of living from Anaheim, CA?
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$72,153
You could earn $2,847 less (4% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Anaheim
California
Boston
Massachusetts
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $2,175/mo in Anaheim and $2,147/mo in Boston. Median home values are within 12% of each other: $831,200 in Anaheim and $731,700 in Boston.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Anaheim
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 35.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boston if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 110.4 vs 114.7).
Is Anaheim cheaper than Boston?
Boston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Boston.
How much is rent in Anaheim vs Boston?
Median rent is $2,175/mo in Anaheim, CA and $2,147/mo in Boston, MA. Boston, MA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Anaheim or Boston?
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim, CA and $97,344 in Boston, MA. Boston, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 35.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Anaheim or Boston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Boston to match my Anaheim income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Anaheim, CA is equivalent to roughly $96,204 in Boston, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
