Median rent is 7% lower in Boston ($2,147/mo vs $2,313/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $906,700. Households earn more in San Diego ($108,077 vs $97,344 a year). Taken together, Boston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.4 against 110.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Diego, CA.
City A
Boston, MA
City B
San Diego, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Diego, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$75,236
You'd need $236 more (0% 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
San Diego
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 Boston at $2,147/mo compared to $2,313/mo in San Diego (7% gap). Median home values are within 19% of each other: $731,700 in Boston and $906,700 in San Diego.
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
San Diego
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick San Diego if you prioritize higher median household income ($108,077/yr).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Is Boston cheaper than San Diego?
Boston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 110.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Boston.
How much is rent in Boston vs San Diego?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $2,313/mo in San Diego, CA. Boston, MA has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or San Diego?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $108,077 in San Diego, CA. San Diego, 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?
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or San Diego?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Diego to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $100,315 in San Diego, 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
