Boston, MA vs Washington, DC: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Washington, DC and Boston, MA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Boston works out to about $75,400 in Washington, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.8% higher in Washington, goods 5.2% higher and other services 1.2% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 28.3% lower in Washington.
- Typical asking rent is $2,407 a month in Washington and $2,987 in Boston, $6,960 a year less in Washington (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $570,000 in Washington and $726,000 in Boston.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Boston and Washington
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
All items Boston, MA: 108.3 Washington, DC: 108.9
Goods Boston, MA: 99.7 Washington, DC: 104.8
Housing (rents) Boston, MA: 148.4 Washington, DC: 151.1
Utilities Boston, MA: 148.8 Washington, DC: 106.7
Other services Boston, MA: 103.6 Washington, DC: 102.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.3 | 108.9 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 104.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 148.4 | 151.1 |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 106.7 |
| Other services | 103.6 | 102.3 |
| Category | Boston | Washington | Washington vs Boston |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.3 | 108.9 | +0.6% |
| Goods | 99.7 | 104.8 | +5.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 148.4 | 151.1 | +1.8% |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 106.7 | −28.3% |
| Other services | 103.6 | 102.3 | −1.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,987 | $2,407 | −19.4% |
| Typical home value | $726,000 | $570,000 | −21.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Boston | $75,000 | $75,400 | +0.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Boston and Washington has narrowed since 2008: 7.1 points then, 0.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 107.7 | 114.8 |
| 2009 | 106.6 | 115.0 |
| 2010 | 106.3 | 114.6 |
| 2011 | 106.6 | 113.5 |
| 2012 | 106.0 | 111.7 |
| 2013 | 104.3 | 113.9 |
| 2014 | 105.8 | 113.7 |
| 2015 | 106.3 | 113.7 |
| 2016 | 110.1 | 112.1 |
| 2017 | 109.1 | 109.8 |
| 2018 | 110.3 | 111.2 |
| 2019 | 109.9 | 109.8 |
| 2020 | 112.5 | 111.4 |
| 2021 | 109.8 | 111.6 |
| 2022 | 112.2 | 111.2 |
| 2023 | 110.4 | 109.5 |
| 2024 | 108.3 | 108.9 |
Goods
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.9 | 111.6 |
| 2009 | 96.9 | 112.6 |
| 2010 | 99.8 | 108.5 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 106.5 |
| 2012 | 101.8 | 104.9 |
| 2013 | 101.3 | 108.9 |
| 2014 | 105.0 | 104.0 |
| 2015 | 102.6 | 104.0 |
| 2016 | 104.6 | 104.2 |
| 2017 | 104.4 | 103.1 |
| 2018 | 102.8 | 105.2 |
| 2019 | 106.1 | 104.1 |
| 2020 | 108.3 | 104.8 |
| 2021 | 109.9 | 108.5 |
| 2022 | 110.0 | 106.9 |
| 2023 | 100.8 | 106.4 |
| 2024 | 99.7 | 104.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 142.7 | 168.2 |
| 2009 | 146.2 | 168.9 |
| 2010 | 144.2 | 171.2 |
| 2011 | 147.3 | 173.2 |
| 2012 | 144.9 | 172.3 |
| 2013 | 145.7 | 176.2 |
| 2014 | 142.7 | 175.2 |
| 2015 | 144.7 | 171.4 |
| 2016 | 146.6 | 170.9 |
| 2017 | 148.4 | 166.2 |
| 2018 | 146.1 | 169.0 |
| 2019 | 146.4 | 162.9 |
| 2020 | 156.7 | 165.1 |
| 2021 | 147.0 | 162.5 |
| 2022 | 150.2 | 157.1 |
| 2023 | 148.2 | 151.9 |
| 2024 | 148.4 | 151.1 |
Utilities
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 151.4 | 116.4 |
| 2009 | 143.5 | 120.6 |
| 2010 | 113.2 | 107.3 |
| 2011 | 120.8 | 105.8 |
| 2012 | 130.3 | 107.9 |
| 2013 | 114.4 | 107.4 |
| 2014 | 107.3 | 104.2 |
| 2015 | 114.9 | 108.0 |
| 2016 | 133.8 | 112.4 |
| 2017 | 151.4 | 108.1 |
| 2018 | 155.7 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 155.1 | 102.8 |
| 2020 | 164.3 | 104.7 |
| 2021 | 158.9 | 108.3 |
| 2022 | 154.5 | 101.7 |
| 2023 | 172.2 | 105.7 |
| 2024 | 148.8 | 106.7 |
Other services
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.7 | 105.5 |
| 2009 | 103.7 | 104.7 |
| 2010 | 102.4 | 106.8 |
| 2011 | 101.2 | 106.1 |
| 2012 | 100.2 | 104.1 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 104.7 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 107.8 |
| 2015 | 100.8 | 108.3 |
| 2016 | 105.5 | 105.3 |
| 2017 | 103.2 | 102.9 |
| 2018 | 106.3 | 103.9 |
| 2019 | 103.8 | 102.6 |
| 2020 | 104.2 | 103.9 |
| 2021 | 101.1 | 102.6 |
| 2022 | 104.5 | 104.4 |
| 2023 | 106.3 | 102.4 |
| 2024 | 103.6 | 102.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,407 in Washington vs $2,987 in Boston
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,956 | $1,697 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $2,003 | $1,721 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,986 | $1,722 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,976 | $1,712 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,037 | $1,729 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,077 | $1,750 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,070 | $1,752 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,040 | $1,739 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,126 | $1,769 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,155 | $1,795 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,131 | $1,794 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,121 | $1,783 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,192 | $1,805 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,228 | $1,835 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,204 | $1,840 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,194 | $1,843 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,260 | $1,865 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,300 | $1,895 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,288 | $1,901 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,269 | $1,891 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,341 | $1,918 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,318 | $1,912 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,204 | $1,895 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,133 | $1,847 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,217 | $1,871 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,319 | $1,949 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,388 | $2,033 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,422 | $2,043 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,468 | $2,075 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,579 | $2,149 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,636 | $2,184 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,622 | $2,138 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,675 | $2,176 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,759 | $2,221 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,769 | $2,249 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,764 | $2,229 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,821 | $2,265 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,877 | $2,325 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,852 | $2,346 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,853 | $2,321 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,921 | $2,365 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,955 | $2,389 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,921 | $2,375 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,915 | $2,336 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,978 | $2,364 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,030 | $2,391 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,987 | $2,407 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $570,000 in Washington vs $726,000 in Boston
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | Washington, DC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $383K | $372K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $387K | $373K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $394K | $375K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $402K | $379K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $410K | $382K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $416K | $382K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $420K | $383K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $428K | $388K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $436K | $393K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $445K | $396K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $452K | $397K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $458K | $402K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $466K | $407K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $475K | $409K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $481K | $413K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $482K | $415K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $483K | $420K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $487K | $424K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $488K | $425K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $492K | $430K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $500K | $438K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $506K | $442K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $515K | $448K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $537K | $465K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $558K | $481K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $581K | $500K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $586K | $505K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $589K | $507K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $615K | $525K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $643K | $543K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $638K | $535K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $630K | $530K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $628K | $529K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $644K | $537K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $663K | $545K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $674K | $547K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $683K | $552K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $697K | $561K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $703K | $564K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $708K | $570K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $711K | $573K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $710K | $570K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $711K | $569K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $719K | $571K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $723K | $571K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $722K | $568K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $726K | $570K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Boston, MA
- Cost of living in Washington, DC
- Reverse: moving from Washington to Boston
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.