Median rent is 10% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,093/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $710,400 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Boston ($94,755 vs $80,366 a year). Taken together, Boston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.2 against 113.3 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boston, MA.
Quick verdict
Boston is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 112.2 in Boston vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$75,749
You'd need $749 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Los Angeles
California
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Los Angeles at $1,879/mo compared to $2,093/mo in Boston (10% gap). Median home values are within 19% of each other: $710,400 in Boston and $879,500 in Los Angeles.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% versus 13.30% in California, so Boston is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Massachusetts and 7.25% in California; Boston has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Boston
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Boston has cleaner air on average: 41.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($94,755/yr).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 41.0).
Pick Boston if you prioritize lower state income tax (9.00%).
Is Boston cheaper than Los Angeles?
Boston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.2 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Boston.
How much is rent in Boston vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,093/mo in Boston, MA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. 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: 41.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Los Angeles?
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% and California's is 13.30%. Boston, MA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $100,999 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology