Cost of living in Boston, MA — Housing, Rent & Index

The median home value in Boston, MA is $793,154 as of 2026-04. That places Boston above the US average for housing cost, with a cost index of approximately 223 versus a national baseline of 100.

Over the past 12 months, the median home value in Boston has moved sideways, and over the past five years it has averaged +1.9% annual growth. The current price sits -0.7% from its 5-year peak in 2025-04.

Renters pay a median of $3,413 per month in Boston. Rents have changed +2.5% over the last year and averaged +5.9% per year over five years.

Beyond housing, day-to-day costs in Boston are shaped by state and local taxes, utility rates, transportation, and groceries. This page focuses on the housing component, which is the largest single line in most household budgets and the easiest to compare across cities using consistent national data.