Quick answer
Seattle is 35% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Boston is equivalent to $65,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 35% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-19% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$65,000
Boston vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,600/mo
$2,100/mo
-19%
2BR median rent
$3,400/mo
$2,750/mo
-19%
Median home price
$720K
$780K
+8%
Avg monthly groceries
$420
$430
+2%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$130
-19%
State income tax
5%
None
Seattle saves
Walk score
83/100
74/100
Boston better
Transit score
75/100
59/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Boston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$39,000
$92,000
$80,000
$52,000
$123,000
$100,000
$65,000
$154,000
$120,000
$78,000
$185,000
$150,000
$97,000
$231,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Boston vs Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Boston or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 35% cheaper than Boston overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Boston?
$65,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Boston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-19% difference) and state taxes (Boston: 5% vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Boston and Seattle?
1BR: Boston $2,600/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (-19%). 2BR: Boston $3,400/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (-19%).
Does Boston or Seattle have lower taxes?
Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,000.