Median rent is 0% lower in Roseville ($2,142/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Roseville, where the median home runs $661,400 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Roseville ($119,288 vs $97,344 a year). Taken together, Roseville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 110.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Roseville, CA.
Quick verdict
Roseville is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 109.1 in Roseville vs 110.4 in Boston (US average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Roseville, CA
How much would you need to earn in Roseville, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Roseville, CA
$74,115
You could earn $885 less (1% lower) and break even.
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
Roseville
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 rents are similar in both cities: $2,147/mo in Boston and $2,142/mo in Roseville. Median home values are within 10% of each other: $731,700 in Boston and $661,400 in Roseville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Roseville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Roseville has cleaner air on average: 20.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Roseville if you prioritize higher median household income ($119,288/yr).
Pick Roseville if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 20.0).
Is Boston cheaper than Roseville?
Roseville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Roseville.
How much is rent in Boston vs Roseville?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $2,142/mo in Roseville, CA. Roseville, CA has the lower rent by about 0%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Roseville?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $119,288 in Roseville, CA. Roseville, CA 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?
Roseville, CA has better air quality on average: 20.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Roseville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Roseville to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $98,821 in Roseville, CA (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
