Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Boston vs New York
Boston vs New York cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Boston
πΊπΈ New YorkBoston is 18% cheaper than New York
Living on $9,315 a month in Boston feels like about $11,647 in New York β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$427 vs $478
Per month
$9,315 vs $11,647
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 20
$18 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs $ 23
$20 vs $23
At a glance
FoodBoston 10% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksBoston 9% cheaper
TransportBoston 14% cheaper
StayBoston 17% cheaper
FunBoston 10% cheaper
- Where Boston is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (23%β), Convenience store (21%β), Bottled water (20%β)
Item by item
| Item | Boston | New York | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 20$20 | Boston β10% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 9$9 | Boston β10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | $ 55$55 | Boston β9% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Boston β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 9$9 | Boston β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 23$23 | Boston β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Boston β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Boston β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | $ 23$23 | Boston β13% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 14$14 | Boston β14% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.9$2.9 | Boston β14% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | $ 68$68 | Boston β12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | $ 280$280 | Boston β11% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,000$3,000 | $ 3,900$3,900 | Boston β23% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Boston β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | Boston β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 39$39 | Boston β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 110$110 | Boston β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | $ 100$100 | Boston β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | Boston β11% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Boston or New York?
Boston is 18% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $427 vs $478; a month $9,315 vs $11,647.
How do monthly costs compare between Boston and New York?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Boston is about $9,315 and New York about $11,647 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.