The short answer for 2026, based on Massachusetts's cost of living adjusted for Boston housing, plus what people actually earn.
The typical Boston household earns about $81,700, which is 26% below the $110,500 a comfortable lifestyle costs here. A median local income means many households run tighter than the comfort benchmark.
| Lifestyle | Salary needed |
|---|---|
| Modest (single, essentials covered) | $73,500 |
| Comfortable (average-state lifestyle) | $110,500 |
| Very comfortable (room to save) | $147,500 |
| Median rent in Boston | $1,783/mo |
Figures scale each benchmark by an estimated Boston cost index: Massachusetts's BLISS score (1.50) adjusted for Boston's median home price ($610,400) versus the statewide median ($642,000). Housing drives most city-to-city differences; other spending uses the state average. Estimates, not advice. Actual needs vary by neighborhood and household size.
A salary is not what you keep. See your actual paycheck after Massachusetts and federal taxes.
Calculate my take-home pay ›About $110,500 a year. That matches the lifestyle $75,000 buys in an average U.S. state, using Massachusetts's BLISS cost score adjusted for Boston housing prices. A modest single-person budget is closer to $73,500, and $147,500 is very comfortable with room to save.
About $81,700 a year. That is 26% below the $110,500 a comfortable lifestyle costs here, so a typical local income means many households run tighter than the comfort benchmark.
Boston's estimated cost of living is 47% above the U.S. average. The typical Boston home runs $610,400, which is 5% below Massachusetts's statewide median, and Massachusetts overall ranks #48 of 50 for affordability (#1 = cheapest).