Cost of Living: Boston vs Seattle (2026)

Boston vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 3% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $102,648 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 3% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $102,648 in Seattle.

Boston vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricBostonSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108111+3%
Median rent$2,093$1,998-5%
Median home value$710,400$912,100+28%
Median household income$94,755$121,984+29%

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 $102,648 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $97,420 in Boston.

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

Compare any salary: Boston vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 108 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in Boston.

About $102,648 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.