Boston, Massachusetts
In Boston, Massachusetts, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.85 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.22 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $3,098, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Boston's cost-of-living index of 130 puts it above the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.85
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$3,098
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$14.50
Combo meal
Electricity
31.16¢
per kWh · ~$280/mo
Car Insurance
$165/mo
$1,980/yr
Median Household Income
$92,859
48.9% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,980 in Boston. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Boston residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $3,098/mo in Boston. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$6.39 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$9.33 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$8.84 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.34 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$6.44 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$14.66 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$6.64 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$5.82 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$6.54 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$3.37 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.73 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$9.71 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.98 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$7.35 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$10.59 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.02 | $6.39 | +27.3% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.61 | $9.33 | +22.6% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.22 | $8.84 | +22.4% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.78 | $2.34 | +31.5% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.23 | $6.44 | +23.1% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $10.68 | $14.66 | +37.3% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $4.64 | $6.64 | +43.1% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.88 | $5.82 | +19.3% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.65 | $6.54 | +15.8% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.60 | $3.37 | +29.6% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.20 | $2.73 | +24.1% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.78 | $9.71 | +43.2% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.92 | $5.98 | +21.5% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.80 | $7.35 | +26.7% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $7.64 | $10.59 | +38.6% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$14.50
Casual Dining
$43.71
Monthly Spend
$720.13
+4.86% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $14.85
$23.95
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $16.76
$25.87
+54.4%Chipotle
2022: $17.96
$26.82
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $7.65
$10.63
+39.0%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Boston?
Average 1BR: $2,540/mo · 2BR: $3,656/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
714k
Median Weekly Pay
$2,525
$131k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$93k
household median
Employment by Sector — Boston
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$95k/yr
~$178k/yr
~$265k/yr
~$55k/yr
~$89k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 25025
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$5,104/wk · $265k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$1,061/wk · $55k/yr
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