Living in Boston, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Boston · Census data 2020–2024
Boston has 666,442 residents with a median age of 33.3. The median household income is $97,344 (6% lower than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $731,700, the median rent is $2,147/month.
Boston at a glance
- Population
- 666,442
- Median age
- 33.3State: 40
- Median household income
- $97,344State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $731,700State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $2,147/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 35.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54.9%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Boston a good place to live?
Cons: Median household income 6% lower than the Massachusetts median; home values 30% higher than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 16.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Boston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Boston the median home value is $731,700, 120% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,147 per month, which is 30.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,986 a month in housing costs.
Boston median household income
The median household income in Boston is $97,344 and the income per person is $61,698. 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Boston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 310,625
- Owner-occupied
- 35.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 64.3%
- Vacant
- 8.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1947
- Average household size
- 2.19
Boston demographics
- Population
- 666,442
- Median age
- 33.3
- Under 18
- 15.1%
- 65 and older
- 13%
- Households
- 283,374
- Foreign-born
- 27.8%
- Veterans
- 2.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Boston ›
Education in Boston
54.9% of adults 25 and older in Boston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 26.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Boston
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 21.3%
- Drive alone
- 32.9%
- Public transit
- 22.6%
- Walk to work
- 13.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 92%
Boston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 666,442 | $97,344 | $731,700 | $2,147 |
| Winthrop Town | 18,759 | $116,167 | $649,600 | $2,064 |
| Chelsea | 39,908 | $72,179 | $493,500 | $1,956 |
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | $618,500 | $2,118 |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | $610,000 | $2,076 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | $911,300 | $2,517 |
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | $1,092,100 | $2,787 |
| Revere | 60,012 | $86,969 | $597,400 | $2,076 |
| Brookline | 63,266 | $142,101 | $1,246,800 | $2,835 |
More for people moving to Boston
Boston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Boston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Boston, MA?
The median household income in Boston is $97,344, 6% lower than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Boston?
The median home value in Boston is $731,700, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Boston?
The median gross rent in Boston is $2,147 per month, about 30.6% of household income.
Is Boston, MA a good place to live?
Minuses: median household income 6% lower than the Massachusetts median; home values 30% higher than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 16.6%.
What is the median age in Boston?
The median age in Boston is 33.3 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Boston?
The average commute to work in Boston is 30 minutes; 21.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Boston?
The unemployment rate in Boston is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Boston?
54.9% of adults in Boston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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