Moving to Boston

COST OF LIVING

What It Costs to Live in Boston

Let’s get the hard number out of the way first: Boston is expensive. It consistently ranks among the top four most costly rental markets in the United States, and housing is the biggest line item in any Boston budget. As of spring 2026, the average apartment rent in Boston sits around $3,400 per month.

That said, Boston’s higher wages — particularly in healthcare, biotech, tech, and finance — help offset the cost of living. Salaries here tend to run 15–25% above the national average for comparable roles, and the city’s walkability means many residents skip car payments, insurance, and gas entirely.

Neighborhoods like Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, and Allston offer more affordable rents while still keeping you connected to downtown via the T. If you’re flexible on location, you can find livable one-bedrooms in the $1,800–$2,200 range in these areas. Planning your budget? Use our online quote tool to estimate your relocation expenses.

CAREERS

Job Market and Economy

Boston’s economy is one of the strongest and most diversified in the country. The city is a global hub for biotechnology and life sciences, with companies like Moderna, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda operating major facilities in the Kendall Square and Seaport areas. The healthcare sector is equally massive — Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are among the top-ranked medical institutions in the world.

Beyond biotech and healthcare, Boston has a deep bench in financial services, higher education, technology, and professional services. Companies like Wayfair, HubSpot, DraftKings, and Toast all call Greater Boston home.

For professionals in STEM fields especially, the combination of research institutions, venture capital, and corporate R&D creates an environment where career growth is not just possible — it’s the norm.

EDUCATION

Universities and Schools

Few cities in the world can match Boston’s concentration of academic institutions. Harvard University and MIT are the most recognizable names, but the list goes far deeper: Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, Tufts, Emerson, Berklee College of Music, and dozens of others draw students and faculty from around the globe.

For families with school-age children, Boston’s public school system includes well-regarded options like Boston Latin School and Boston Latin Academy. Several surrounding communities — Brookline, Wellesley, Newton, Lexington — are consistently ranked among the best school districts in the state and the nation.

HEALTHCARE

World-Class Healthcare

One of the most practical reasons to live in Boston is access to some of the best healthcare in the world. Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Children’s Hospital are all nationally ranked, and people travel from across the country specifically to receive treatment here.

The concentration of medical schools and research hospitals also means that residents have access to clinical trials, specialized care, and cutting-edge treatments that simply aren’t available in most cities. If healthcare access is a priority for you or your family, Boston is one of the strongest choices you can make.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting Around Boston

Boston is one of the most walkable cities in the United States, with a Walk Score of 98 — classified as a “Walker’s Paradise.” The city’s compact layout means that daily errands, commuting, and socializing can all happen on foot in most neighborhoods.

The MBTA, known locally as the “T,” operates subway, bus, and commuter rail services connecting the city and its suburbs. The subway has four main lines — Red, Orange, Blue, and Green — covering most of the metro area.

Between walkability, the T, the Bluebikes bike-sharing program, and expanding cycling infrastructure, a large percentage of Boston residents live comfortably without owning a car — which is one more way the city helps offset its higher cost of living.

COMMUNITY

Community and Diversity

Boston is a city shaped by waves of immigration — from early English and French settlers to Irish, Italian, German, Jewish, Lebanese, and Syrian communities in the 1800s, to the more recent influx of residents from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. That history is visible today in the distinct cultural identities of Boston’s neighborhoods: Chinatown, the North End, East Boston, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain each have their own character, cuisine, and community traditions.

The city has made meaningful investments in inclusivity, affordable housing initiatives, and community programming. Neighborhood festivals, cultural events, farmers’ markets, and community organizations make it easy for newcomers to connect and find their footing.

If you’re locked into a September 1st move, book your movers as early as April or May to secure your date. You’ll also need to coordinate a Boston moving permit and a parking permit well in advance.