Boston vs Phoenix: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts compare to Phoenix, Arizona? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Phoenix is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 101% higher in Boston compared to Phoenix, while rent is 50% higher. State income tax is 9% in MA vs 2.5% in AZ.
| Metric | Boston, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $684,900 | $340,200 | +101.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,981 | $1,322 | +49.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $89,212 | $72,092 | +23.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $55,949 | $37,499 | +49.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 9.0% | 2.5% | +260.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.3% | 8.4% | -25.3% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 665,945 | 1,609,456 | -58.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Boston
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Phoenix
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Boston costs $684,900 compared to $340,200 in Phoenix — a 101% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,981/mo in Boston vs $1,322/mo in Phoenix.
- Income: Median household income is $89,212 in Boston and $72,092 in Phoenix.
- Taxes: State income tax is 9% in Massachusetts vs 2.5% in Arizona.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).