Boston, MA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 672 jobs →

Avg Salary

$76,874

across all roles

Cost Index

146

Expensive

Avg Rent

$2,490/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

4/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is Boston?

4/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.20× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 146 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $767/mo, Boston is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

146

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$2,490

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$767

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$66,080

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.20×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

672

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Boston

By gross annual salary

1.Neurologists
$228,070
2.Judges
$221,710
3.Natural Sciences Managers
$219,380
4.Pediatricians
$213,240
5.Physicians
$212,030
6.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$207,150
7.Marketing Managers
$200,010
8.Lawyers
$194,740
9.Astronomers
$189,430
10.Financial Managers
$188,490

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Neurologists
$9,964/mo
2.Judges
$9,577/mo
3.Natural Sciences Managers
$9,436/mo
4.Pediatricians
$9,062/mo
5.Physicians
$8,989/mo
6.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$8,692/mo
7.Marketing Managers
$8,257/mo
8.Lawyers
$7,937/mo
9.Astronomers
$7,614/mo
10.Financial Managers
$7,557/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Boston

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Biological Technicians

$6/mo left

$64,380/yr gross

Soil And Plant Scientists

$13/mo left

$64,490/yr gross

Paving

$27/mo left

$64,720/yr gross

Firstline Supervisors Of Transportation And Material Moving Workers

$28/mo left

$64,730/yr gross

Home Appliance Repairers

$32/mo left

$64,800/yr gross

Explore Boston Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.