Cost of Living: Boston vs Phoenix (2026)

Boston vs Phoenix cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Phoenix is about 5% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $95,428 in Phoenix.

Phoenix is about 5% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $95,428 in Phoenix.

Boston vs Phoenix: the numbers

MetricBostonPhoenixDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108103-5%
Median rent$2,093$1,458-30%
Median home value$710,400$381,900-46%
Median household income$94,755$77,041-19%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $95,428 in Phoenix. Going the other way, $100,000 in Phoenix is like $104,791 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Phoenix.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Phoenix

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 103 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Phoenix.

About $95,428 — that's what you'd need in Phoenix to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.