Median rent is 13% lower in Boston ($2,147/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $97,344 a year). Taken together, Boston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.4 against 117.6 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Francisco, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Boston is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 110.4 in Boston vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$79,863
You'd need $4,863 more (6% higher).
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
Boston
Massachusetts
San Francisco
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Boston at $2,147/mo compared to $2,476/mo in San Francisco (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $731,700 in Boston — 48% more expensive.
Metric
Boston
San Francisco
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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 Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Boston (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick Boston if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 110.4 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,147/mo median).
Boston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.4 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Boston.
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. Boston, MA has the lower rent by about 13%.
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $140,970 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $106,484 in San Francisco, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
