Boston, Massachusetts
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Boston.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Boston?
For relocators asking how much Boston costs: the housing index sits at 195 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $710,400 and rents near $2,093. Local median income is about $94,755 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 35 minutes. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 195U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $710,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,093U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $94,755U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 35 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 80°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Boston compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 673,458City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $94,755Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 195ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year95% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $710,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year134% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,093City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year55% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 35 min40% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 8384% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 80°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 26°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 43.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals32% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 237As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Boston grew 8.4% from 621,048 in 2010 to 673,458 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Boston expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Boston runs 95 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 195 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $710,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,093 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Boston?
Budget first around $2,093/month rent or $710,400 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $710,400
- Median rent $2,093/month
- Median household income $94,755
What is the job market like in Boston?
Labor-market context for Boston: unemployment 4.7% and median income $94,755. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $94,755
How long is the typical commute in Boston?
Plan on roughly 35 minutes each way in Boston. Walk Score estimates around 83 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 35 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 83/100
Is Boston safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Boston?
Boston's climate profile: 80°F summer peaks, 26°F winter mornings, 43.6" annual rainfall, and 237 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 80°F
- Winter low 26°F
- 43.6 in rain · 237 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Boston?
Back Bay is the name relocators hear first; compare it with South End and Cambridge-adjacent once you know your job location.
- Back Bay
- South End
- Cambridge-adjacent
About 673,458 people live in Boston, MA. Households here report a median income near $94,755; our housing-derived cost index is about 195 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $710,400 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Four sharp seasons and a dense education/biotech corridor drive demand. Pack for 80°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 26°F. Commutes average near 35 minutes one-way, with walkability near 83/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. FBI Crime Data Explorer did not return usable agency rates here — verify recent local PD reports block by block.
If you only tour one corridor, make it Back Bay; if you have a weekend, contrast it with South End and the quieter edges near Cambridge-adjacent. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Boston with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Back Bay
- South End
- Cambridge-adjacent
- North End
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Boston city, 1600000US2507000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Suffolk County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014739 BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All Massachusetts cities · Full city index