Median rent is 9% lower in Washington ($1,954/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $737,100. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $97,344 a year). Taken together, Washington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.5 against 110.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
Cost of living verdict
Washington is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.5 in Washington vs 110.4 in Boston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$74,423
You could earn $577 less (1% 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
Boston
Massachusetts
Washington
District of Columbia
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 Washington at $1,954/mo compared to $2,147/mo in Boston (9% gap). Median home values are within 1% of each other: $731,700 in Boston and $737,100 in Washington.
Metric
Boston
Washington
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
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Washington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Washington.
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the lower rent by about 9%.
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Washington, DC has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
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 $99,230 in Washington, DC (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
